Priscila Hermida, PhD
SOMATIC TOOLS FOR ACADEMIC WORK
Our nervous system has an innate capacity for self-regulation to face the challenges of everyday life. However, traumatic situations such as falls, car accidents, assaults or violent acts, losses, injuries, medical or surgical procedures, natural disasters, chronic illnesses , etc. may exceed that regulatory capacity.
If this happens, the nervous system becomes "stuck" in the perception of danger and physical and emotional symptoms occur:
* Difficulty calming down, managing emotions and overwhelm.
* Difficulty establishing limits.
* Feeling trapped, immobilized, or disconnected from the body.
* Sleep problems, insomnia, nightmares.
* Psychosomatic symptoms, pain, tension and fatigue.
* Problems in interpersonal relationships.
Somatic Experiencing offers a safe space to explore and navigate strong emotions using information that comes from body sensations, breathing, and attention to the present moment. Provides support in the regulation/balance of the nervous system and tools and information on how to self-regulate. Help to find your ground and reconnect with yourself.
Fear and deregulation of the nervous system also manifest themselves in work or academic activities:
Exams and Tests
Exams and tests sometimes evoke difficult sensations associated with the fear of being evaluated, causing traumatic experiences of blockage, excessive nerves and anxiety, etc. Some people may forget all their previous preparation for the assessment, or may find it impossible to complete the preparation due to freezing (procrastination).
Thesis Defenses
Presentations, thesis defenses, etc. They involve sharing information with an audience, which also carries out an evaluation. Some people experience additional difficulties in these situations.
Theses and Academic Articles
The task of writing a graduate or postgraduate thesis, or a scientific article is sometimes a situation that triggers panic and avoidance reactions. The person cannot write, and continues to postpone the task, with which the obstacle and immobility become greater and greater.
Work Presentations
Outside of the educational environment, the same difficulties can arise when making artistic presentations, work presentations, etc.