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As a neurodivergent being, sometimes it’s hard to connect with my body.

It’s almost always in some state of panic or dysregulation. Around the holiday season, it’s so much easier to get more dysregulated, and then stay dysregulated for way too long.

That’s why I came up with 13 ways for you to reconnect with your body. These are simple, practical things you can do, with some modification suggestions!

And yes — these practices are all physical — meaning, you’re gonna be doing something with your body, instead of overworking that big brain of yours.

For each exercise, focus on how you’re feeling in the moment, and don’t worry about what you look or sound like. Feel free to skip any of these if they don’t resonate, or modify them to suit your unique needs 🫶🏾

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focus on sensations

Textures, temperatures, movements. Whether it’s taking a moment to feel the warm water running over your hands when you wash them or the cool air on your face when you step outside, get into your body’s sensory experiences.

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Sue-Jan’s fave sensations

• a super cold and dark room while cuddling under a fleece blanket
• petting my Bindi’s soft ears
• standing facing the morning sun
• a big stretch while laying in bed
• listening to the birds in the morning </aside>

gentle movement

Stretching, walking, or doing a few yoga poses can help bring your focus back to how your body feels. You don’t need a full workout — even just rolling your shoulders or doing neck stretches can release some of that tension you didn’t even know you were holding onto.

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Sue-Jan’s fave movements

• a big stretch while laying in bed
• **standing forward fold, letting my head and hands just hang**
• **deep squat — I really enjoy deep hip stretches!**
• slow wining </aside>

breathwork (hear me out on this one)

Thanks to my Threads mutual Ashley Stinson, I’ve found a breathing exercise that actually works for me!

It’s a basic box breath (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) but you’re not counting or imposing anything on it. You’re letting your body lead

1. inhale as long and as deep and however feels best
2. hold it for as long as your body wants to
3. exhale for as long and however feels best
4. hold at empty for however feels good
5. repeat again and again, letting it change as it needs to and your nervous system and body get what they want
6. once you start yawning, it’s working!

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It’s okay for you to change up the lengths of your breaths and holds, and how you inhale and exhale. Let your body guide this without overthinking!

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eat mindfully

Take time to savour your food and notice how it makes your body feel. No distractions, just you and your meal. It doesn’t really matter if you’re eating steak and eggs, or chicken nuggets and fries, taking the time to just be with yourself and your food gives you the space to listen and actually hear your body.

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How Sue-Jan does it

• put on some lofi music while I prep and cook
• put my phone in another room and on do not disturb mode
• read, or do a word search while I eat
• take my time to chew and swallow </aside>

self-massage

Rub your temples, massage your neck, or use a foam roller to work out some tension in your legs and back. I like to use my fave scented Bath & Body Works lotion for slow, intentional, full body rub down after a long shower.

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You might also like

• a scalp massage while you wash your hair in the shower
• a face massage using a cool jade roller
• giving yourself a foot and/or leg massage using baby oil or your fave lotion/body butter </aside>