Midlife Wisdom: Integrating Body-Centered Psychotherapy into the Aging and Eating Disorder Recovery Process
As we journey through the stages of life, one of the most transformative phases we encounter is midlife. This pivotal juncture often prompts reflection, introspection, and a quest for deeper understanding. By midlife, we have all lived through something that has caused us to dismantle outdated ways of being and come into more alignment with our authentic selves. Be it an illness, divorce, job loss, death, financial challenges, caring for children and aging parents, confronting our aging and changing bodies or other life stressors, these transitions offer a place to shed conditioned ways of being. In the pursuit of wisdom during this stage, integrating body-centered psychotherapy offers a powerful tool for supporting this healing process.
Rediscovering Inner Strength Beyond Life Transitions
Midlife, typically occurring between the ages of 40 and 65, brings with it a multitude of changes – physically, emotionally, and psychologically. It is a time marked by transitions, questioning life's purpose, and seeking a more authentic self. Many people with histories of a disordered relationship with food and their bodies find life transitions a place where they are vulnerable to returning to outdated coping. Women in midlife may start to notice feeling more invisible and losing some of the privileges that came with youth and or a body more aligned with the cultural ideal. In the face of this loss, you may find yourself grasping at familiar food and body control behaviors you used in the past. You may find yourself returning to relating to yourself more as an object and back in conflict with your body, confused about how to nourish yourself. Body-centered psychotherapy, which supports learning to come into embodiment and partner with your body as a resource, becomes particularly relevant in this scenario.
What is Body-Centered Psychotherapy in Asheville, NC?
Body-centered psychotherapy is founded on the belief that embodiment heals. Many of us are in a self-objectifying relationship with our bodies. Self-objectification is when we view ourselves as objects for use rather than human beings. Embodiment is when a person experiences the world through their body and senses. Embodiment is the antidote to self-objectification. As we age, we have the opportunity to let go of the ways we had previously defined and identified ourselves through our ability to adhere to diet culture standards of beauty. Instead, we are allowed to define our worth in the world through our authentic Self. Body-centered psychotherapy in Asheville, NC explores the connection between our physical sensations and emotional experiences. This in turn fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Some key aspects of Body-centered psychotherapy include:
befriending the body through mindfulness and curiosity
learning the language of our bodies which consists of our senses and our nervous system
building somatic resourcing skills
Exploring the Body's Wisdom through Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Mindfulness allows us to bring curiosity into what we are noticing and listen to the wisdom of the body in the present moment. Through mindfulness, we become more attuned to our bodies and learn to respond to the messages rather than react to them.
Learning the Language of Your Body
Learning the sensory language of the body and how our nervous system is organized and operates empowers us with context, compassion, and understanding. Deb Dana, a social worker who specializes in practical applications of the polyvagal theory, states that with this information we can become “active operators of our nervous system.” From here, we can learn to use our senses to support somatic resourcing with breath practices, sound, toning, humming, movement, rocking, aromatherapy, offering our body proprioceptive feedback, and a variety of other somatic skills. These types of skills are taught and played with in a Body-centered psychotherapy session.
Becoming Safe & Connected
As we become more skillful in some of these foundational Body-centered psychotherapy practices, we build capacity in our nervous system which then allows us to land in a safe and connected state more frequently. When our nervous system is safe and connected, our digestive system can function optimally. Our relationship with food is improved as we can take in nourishment according to the wisdom of our hunger and fullness cues and complete ingestion and digestion from embodied safety. We may also begin to explore the deeper nourishment we are seeking as we move towards living life in greater alignment with our authentic selves.
Why Body-Centered Psychotherapy in Asheville, NC?
The aging process, when embraced with mindfulness, can be a gateway to wisdom. Body-centered psychotherapy at Reclaiming Beauty provides a unique avenue for individuals to navigate the complexities of midlife, fostering resilience and a more profound connection with oneself. Through somatic practices, individuals can release tension stored in the body ultimately paving the way for emotional release, self-discovery, and greater access to pleasure, spontaneity, and joy. In this way, Body-centered psychotherapy helps us move towards a more wild and free experience of life.
Final Thoughts from a Disordered Eating Therapist in Asheville, NC
The synergy between midlife, wisdom, and body-centered psychotherapy unveils a pathway to profound self-discovery and growth. Embracing the changes that come with aging, both physically and emotionally, allows individuals to tap into a wellspring of wisdom that enriches the latter half of life. Befriending the body allows you to honor her wisdom and to live life in alignment with it. By integrating body-centered psychotherapy into this transformative process, we open doors to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the wisdom that resides within us.
Get Started with Body-Centered Psychotherapy in Asheville, NC Today!
Embark on a transformative journey with Reclaiming Beauty, where we invite you to rediscover the radiance within you. Whether you're navigating the complexities of midlife transitions, seeking mindfulness practices, or exploring the profound benefits of body-centered psychotherapy in Asheville, NC, our disordered eating therapists are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Follow these few steps to get started!
Contact us so we can get to know you better.
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Explore everything that midlife has to offer without self-criticism and self-judgment!
Other Services We Offer in Asheville, NC
Discover a holistic approach to well-being at Reclaiming Beauty. Our personalized embodiment coaching unlocks the wisdom within, fostering self-compassion and resilience. Or, explore the transformative benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). This is a non-invasive auditory intervention that enhances social engagement and reduces stress.
