Six Somatic Exercises to Stay Calm in Conflict

Everyone experiences moments of intense conflict, like arguments with a partner or difficult times with a colleague. It often feels like your body takes over, leading to actions you might regret. You might wonder how to handle these situations better.

In these moments, thinking your way through it doesn’t usually help. Erica Schwartzberg, a therapist from Downtown Somatic Therapy, explains that during a heated argument, your logical brain is not fully active. That’s why simply calming down isn’t effective. It’s important to calm your body first, so you can return to a more logical state and communicate better.

When emotions are high, adjusting expectations is key. Toni Teixeira from Strong at the Core Counseling notes that calming down quickly is difficult. The goal should be to think more clearly, enabling better decisions.

Simple actions during a fight can help. Teixeria suggests small movements to change your body’s response to stress. This creates a gap between what triggers you and how you respond, allowing more thoughtful reactions.

Physical techniques can help shift your mindset. For example, stepping back or making your lips flutter can signal safety to your body. Shaking or deep sighing can reset your stress levels. These actions show your body it doesn’t need to stay in ‘fight’ mode.

Looking around the room can also remind you that you’re safe, helping calm your nervous system.

How much do you know?

What does Erica Schwartzberg emphasize is not fully active during an argument?

Logical brain

Emotional brain

Memory

Creative brain

According to Toni Teixeira, what should the goal be during an argument?

To win the argument

To think more clearly

To calm down quickly

To avoid conflict

Which technique is suggested to signal safety to your body?

Shouting

Making your lips flutter

Ignoring the situation

Withdrawing completely

What is the role of small movements during a conflict?

To distract the other person

To create a gap between triggers and responses

To escalate the tension

To ignore the emotions involved

What does looking around the room help with during high emotions?

It distracts you

It reminds you that you’re safe

It makes the argument worse

It allows you to plan your next statement

Which action is mentioned as a way to reset stress levels?

Deep sighing

Yelling

Ignoring the problem

Laughing

Calming down your logical brain is the first step according to Erica Schwartzberg.

True False

Adjusting expectations is important when emotions are high, according to Toni Teixeira.

True False

Shaking can help reset your stress levels.

True False

The only way to handle conflict is through logical reasoning.

True False

Physical techniques are ineffective in calming the nervous system.

True False

It is easy to calm down quickly during a heated argument.

True False

In moments of conflict, it's often difficult to think your way through it; your logical brain is not fully active, leading to actions.

Toni Teixeira notes that calming down quickly is during an argument.

Stepping back or making your lips flutter can signal to your body.

Looking around the room can help remind you that you’re during a conflict.

These actions help your body to not stay in 'fight' mode.

Simple actions during a fight can create a gap between what triggers you and how you .

This question is required