Why Somatic Tools Work—Especially When You’re Burned Out, a Mini Blog

I want to take a moment to talk about something that comes up often in session. Many of my high-performing clients feel hesitant about somatic work. It can seem pointless—or just too subtle to make a real difference. And honestly? I get it. Being told to “take a few deep breaths” or “go on a 5 senses walk” might not feel like it’s going to move the needle when you're used to pushing hard for results. But hear me out…

If you're a high performer, you're probably used to pushing through. You’ve trained yourself to stay busy, solve problems, and keep going—even when your body says otherwise.

But here’s the thing: you can’t mindset your way out of a dysregulated nervous system.

You might already know you need to rest. You might understand the importance of boundaries. But if your body still feels unsafe slowing down, those insights won’t stick. You’ll keep overriding your needs without even realizing it.

That’s where somatic therapy comes in.

Think of Your Nervous System Like a Battery

When you're constantly "on," your battery drains faster than it can recharge. Eventually, your system enters low power mode—and that shows up as fatigue, brain fog, numbness, or emotional shutdown.

Somatic tools help you plug back in and restore your internal energy—not by forcing productivity, but by helping your body feel safe again. They work with your biology, not against it.

Why These Tools Help (Even If They Seem Small)

To the high-achieving brain, a tool like “noticing your breath” or “feeling your feet on the floor” might sound almost… pointless. But here’s what’s actually happening:

• You’re shifting your physiology, not just your thoughts.

• You’re creating safety signals that tell your brain: “It’s okay to be here. I’m not in danger.”

• You’re building capacity, gently expanding your window of tolerance instead of swinging between overdrive and collapse.

• You’re practicing presence, so you don’t keep living two steps ahead of yourself.

These moments are small—but they’re powerful. They're the building blocks of nervous system recovery.

Bottom Line?

If you’re used to doing to feel in control, somatic work teaches you how to feel in order to feel safe.
And once your system feels safe again, your energy, clarity, and motivation don’t have to be forced—they come back naturally.

Curious how somatic work can support the kind of self-care that actually sticks? Let’s connect.