Blog Posts

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month I wanted to explore the meaning of wellness and how we can increase our wellness.  The definition that stuck with me the most was “wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”  We have talked in previous posts about how a lot of times we as people have limiting beliefs that hold us back from living or thriving.  A lot of us, due to stress, trauma, mental illness, etc. live in a state of survival mode.  Living in a state of survival mode takes away from our self awareness.  I often believe that people in a state of survival are some of the most aware people there are, this is mainly due to hyperawareness as a form of protection.  However, hyperawareness is not the same as awareness.  Hyperawareness is the idea that we have to be on guard, walk on eggshells, and that we perceive a threat to our safety.  

Becoming aware is a skill that can be learned.  I encourage my clients to increase their awareness by first practicing mindfulness exercises.  Using mindfulness exercises like the “five senses” helps us be in the present moment and more aware of things around us.  Once clients can focus on the present moment I have them learn to practice breathing exercises and body scans.  Body scans can be a powerful mindfulness tool.  Body scans involve scanning the body for any signs of pain, tension, or anything out of the ordinary.  They can allow us to explore how our body is feeling, what we feel in our body, what our body is trying to tell us, and then reassure our body by giving it what it needs.  Scanning our body can help us become more connected with our physical and emotional self.  I usually ask my clients to focus on each area of their body, notice any areas of tension, pain, unusual sensations, and then focus on those individual areas.  Do I hold tension in my neck?  Am I holding onto pain in my head or back?  Do I carry anxiety in my stomach?  

Body scanning helps us increase our self awareness and get more connected with ourselves.  Remember, our body and mind are directly connected.  I have had several experiences with body scanning myself and with clients where they were able to find a connection between a pain or discomfort in their body with a feeling or stressor they had experienced. Being able to connect my physical pain with my thoughts and feelings has allowed me to feel more in control and empowered to get past physical pain and emotions I have experienced. 

Emilie Barragan, LCSW 

“Tackling physical and emotional pain.”  – Therapeuo Health