My name is Maya Brstilo, and I’m a counsellor at Divine Elements, where I support individuals in learning how to regulate stress through the body, breath, and nervous system. One of the most common things I hear from people is, “I had no idea how much stress I was holding until I finally slowed down.” Stress isn’t just a thought or a mood, it’s a physiological state. When the body feels safe, the nervous system shifts out of stress mode. When the body doesn’t feel safe, the mind struggles to relax, even if life looks “fine” on paper.
Somatic therapy works directly with the body’s stress response. When someone is overwhelmed, anxious, or feeling “wired and tired,” we slow down, breathe, and notice sensations: tightness in the chest, fluttering in the stomach, heaviness behind the eyes, a clenched jaw, or that ever- familiar shoulder tension. These sensations aren’t random; they’re the body asking for attention. When we give them space, the nervous system begins to downshift.
Stress often pushes us into two patterns: speeding up (hyperarousal) or shutting down (hypoarousal). When life feels like too much, some people get buzzy, reactive, and restless. Others go numb, tired, and disconnected. Neither is “wrong.” They’re natural and protective responses. The body is simply trying to cope with what it perceives as too much.
Breath is one of the simplest and most powerful tools we have. Not forced deep breathing or inhaling aggressively, but slow, steady exhales that signal safety to the vagus nerve. Longer exhales than inhales. A gentle sigh. A slow release of tension. This signals to the body: “You’re not in danger right now.”
There are also many small, supportive practices you can try at home that help the body and nervous system relax. You can place a hand on your chest and another on your belly and just breathe, noticing the rise and fall and the gentle weight of your hands.
Try orienting: slowly let your eyes move around the space you’re in, noticing colors, shapes, and light. Perhaps ground yourself by pressing your feet into the floor, stretching your legs, or gently pressing your palms together. You can also experiment with playful movement, like swaying, shaking out your hands and arms, or rolling your shoulders to release tension. Notice what it’s like to take in your environment or to experience movement through the body. Explore through curiosity.
Warmth is calming too! Wrap yourself in a soft blanket, take a warm shower, or hold a cup of tea and feel its heat. Even humming, singing softly, or listening to music you love can cue your nervous system that it’s safe to ease.
Over time, little by little, these small practices remind your nervous system that you are here, and that here is safe enough to relax.
As we know, stress shows up in many ways. Sometimes it comes from the demands of work, relationships, or finances. Sometimes it’s held in the body from old experiences. Sometimes it’s simply tension from a surgical procedure that never had a chance to release. Stress is not a personal weakness. It’s a nervous system doing its job. The more we learn to work with it rather than against it, the more resilience and softness we discover inside ourselves. The good news is, we don’t need to force relaxation. The body already knows how to return to ease; it sometimes just needs gentle guidance and permission.
If you’d like support in working with stress through somatic therapy, you can book a free call with me to explore how we can tune into your body’s signals, ease tension where it’s held, and help your nervous system find its natural rhythm.
With love,
Maya Brstilo, RPC-P
