Proprioception & The Nervous System
Our Sensory System is the key to restoring Nervous System Regulation.
You’re already familiar with your five outer-facing senses taste, smell, sound, sight, and touch. What you might not know is that the brain also receives and interprets information from and responds to a 6th sensory system in the body called proprioception. It’s the ability of the brain to know where every single body part is at all times.
For example, if you put your hand behind your back, your brain knows exactly where the hand is in relation to the rest of the body. You can close your eyes and still touch the tip of your nose because of proprioception.
Noticing this sensory information is more effective than directing attention to cognitive or emotional experiences because it stops us from feeling flooded or overwhelmed when we are dysregulated. Research has shown that increasing balance, movement and proprioceptive input reduces sympathetic nervous system activation along with anxiety.
By noticing and becoming aware of these sensations, we can begin to retrain our nervous system from patterns of dysregulation towards safety, connection, and resilience.
Personal Reflection
Practice training your Proprioceptive System by standing in front of your mirror. Notice the subtle changes in your body when you remember something stressful and ask yourself:
• Does my posture change?
• Are my shoulders held up to my ears or rounded forwards?
• Does my spine become rigid and braced, or do I collapse and feel a sense of being tired?
• Do I twist my body or cross my arms to withdraw from others?
