Somatic Nervous System: A Psychological Perspective

[Zandra Hernandes]

As a therapist, I often describe the somatic nervous system (SNS) as the body’s personal assistant—always on call, making sure we can move, react, and feel sensations. Unlike that one unreliable friend who never texts back, the SNS is responsive 24/7, ensuring that you can scratch your nose, dodge a flying frisbee, or feel the warmth of a cozy blanket. But beyond its role in movement and sensation, the SNS has profound implications for psychology and mental health.

1. The Mind-Body Connection: More Than Just a Buzzword

Have you ever noticed how stress seems to manifest physically? Your shoulders tighten, your jaw clenches, and suddenly, your back feels like you’ve been carrying bricks. That’s your SNS, relaying signals between your brain and muscles. Psychological stress often translates into physical tension, which is why techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and somatic therapies are so effective in managing mental health concerns.
By understanding the SNS, therapists can better explain why relaxation techniques work. It’s not just about “calming down”—it’s about reprogramming the SNS response to stressors so that your body and mind get on the same page.

2. Trauma and the Overactive SNS

For individuals with trauma, the SNS can feel like an overcaffeinated security guard—constantly on high alert. If you’ve ever worked with clients who flinch at sudden noises, have difficulty relaxing, or experience chronic tension, you’re witnessing the SNS in action.
Trauma-informed therapies, such as somatic experiencing and EMDR, help regulate an overactive SNS. Instead of just working through memories cognitively, these approaches focus on releasing stored tension and re-establishing a sense of safety in the body. Because sometimes, telling someone to “just breathe” isn’t enough when their SNS is in full-fledged panic mode.

3. The SNS and Anxiety: A Two-Way Street

Ever had a client who is convinced they’re having a heart attack, but it’s really just anxiety? That’s the SNS playing tricks again. The system controls voluntary movement and sensory input, but it’s also deeply tied to involuntary reactions—like that rapid heartbeat and muscle tension that come with anxiety.
One of my favorite interventions for anxiety is grounding exercises. When the SNS is over-firing, focusing on physical sensations (like placing a hand in cold water or feeling the texture of a fabric) can help regulate the body’s response and shift focus away from racing thoughts. By hacking into the SNS, we can send calming signals back to the brain—sort of like reminding it, “Hey, we’re safe, no tigers here!”

4. Movement-Based Therapies: Engaging the SNS for Healing

Since the SNS controls voluntary movement, therapies that incorporate movement—such as yoga, dance therapy, or even simple stretching—can be powerful tools for emotional regulation. When words aren’t enough, moving the body can release pent-up emotions and tension stored in the nervous system.
I often encourage clients to engage in mindful movement, whether it’s a brisk walk or a dance session in their living room. The act of moving with awareness helps reset the SNS, making it a natural, accessible therapy tool for managing mental health symptoms.

5. Understanding the SNS for Holistic Healing

In psychology, we’re often so focused on thoughts and emotions that we forget about the body’s role in mental health. But the SNS reminds us that the mind and body are inseparable. From understanding anxiety to treating trauma, recognizing the SNS’s impact helps create more effective, embodied approaches to therapy.
So next time you instinctively jump at a loud noise or feel tension creeping into your shoulders, give a little nod to your SNS—it’s just doing its job. And remember, the more we understand it, the better we can work with it rather than against it.