Do Somatic Exercises Work for Men? What a Somatic Therapist Wants You to Know
Do you ever feel stressed, tense, or disconnected from your body?
Do you carry around anger, sadness, or pressure but aren’t sure what to do with it?
Have you ever been told to “just get over it,” “man up,” or “don’t feel so much”?
If so, you’re not alone. And if you’ve ever wondered whether somatic exercises could help you, the answer is yes—they can. Somatic therapy works for men, too.
In this blog post, we’ll explore:
What somatic exercises are
Why they’re important for men’s mental health
Common reasons men feel disconnected from their bodies
How trauma and stress affect the nervous system
Easy somatic practices you can try today
Why this kind of healing is not weak—it’s wise
Whether you're new to therapy or just curious, this post is for you.
What Are Somatic Exercises?
“Somatic” means “related to the body.”
Somatic exercises are body-based movements or practices that help you feel calmer, more grounded, and more aware of your emotions.
Unlike regular workouts that focus on fitness, somatic exercises focus on how your body feels from the inside out. They help your nervous system relax and process stress or stored emotions.
These exercises may include:
Slow, mindful movement
Breathing techniques
Stretching and shaking
Noticing where you feel tension in your body
Grounding techniques like feeling your feet on the floor
These simple actions help your brain and body reconnect. They teach you to listen to your body’s signals—something many men were never taught to do.
Why Somatic Work Matters for Men
Many men grow up hearing messages like:
“Don’t cry.”
“Stay strong.”
“Tough it out.”
“Push through the pain.”
While these messages may seem helpful on the surface, they often teach men to ignore their emotions and disconnect from their bodies.
But your body keeps the score.
Even if you don’t talk about stress, anxiety, or trauma, your body still feels it. It can show up as:
Tight shoulders
Clenched jaw
Headaches
Back pain
Trouble sleeping
Trouble relaxing
Feeling angry or numb all the time
Somatic therapy gives you tools to deal with what’s going on inside—without judgment or pressure.
Common Reasons Men Feel Disconnected
You’re not weak if you struggle with emotions or don’t know how to “feel your feelings.” In fact, many men were never taught how. Here are some reasons why somatic disconnection is common among men:
1. Cultural Pressure
Men are often taught to be providers, protectors, and performers. Expressing feelings may feel unsafe or “unmanly.”
2. Trauma
Many men have experienced trauma—whether it’s from childhood, military service, relationships, or other life events. Trauma can cause the body to shut down emotionally as a way to survive.
3. Chronic Stress
Men in high-pressure jobs or roles may live in a constant state of tension. Over time, this stress can numb emotions or cause burnout.
4. Lack of Safe Spaces
Some men don’t have a space where they feel comfortable opening up. Somatic therapy offers a private, judgment-free zone to reconnect with yourself.
What the Nervous System Has to Do With It
Your nervous system controls how you respond to stress, danger, and even joy. When something hard or painful happens—especially if you had to stay strong, stay quiet, or stay “in control”—your body might store that stress.
Over time, your nervous system might stay in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode:
Fight: Feeling angry or on edge
Flight: Avoiding emotions or relationships
Freeze: Feeling numb, stuck, or disconnected
Fawn: Trying to please others while ignoring your own needs
Somatic exercises help your nervous system calm down and return to balance.
They give your body a new way to feel safe—without shutting down or blowing up.
What Men Say After Trying Somatic Work
Here’s what men often report after working with a somatic therapist or trying body-based exercises:
“I didn’t realize how tense my body was until I started paying attention.”
“I’m sleeping better.”
“I don’t snap at people as much.”
“I can finally take a deep breath.”
“I feel more in control without having to be controlling.”
“It’s not about being soft. It’s about being steady.”
Somatic work isn’t about becoming emotional or fragile. It’s about becoming more aware, more present, and more in charge of your reactions.
5 Somatic Exercises Men Can Try Today
You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym to start. Try these exercises in a quiet space—even for just 5 minutes.
1. Box Breathing (for Calm Focus)
Breathe in for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Exhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Repeat 4 times
This helps calm your nervous system and reset your mind.
2. Grounding Through Your Feet
Stand or sit and press your feet into the ground
Notice the floor supporting you
Wiggle your toes
Shift your weight from left to right slowly
This brings your awareness back to the present moment.
3. Shoulder Shrugs and Shakes
Inhale and lift your shoulders up toward your ears
Exhale and drop them fast
Shake out your arms, hands, and legs gently for 30 seconds
Shaking helps release built-up stress or adrenaline.
4. Body Scan
Sit or lie down comfortably
Slowly notice each part of your body from head to toe
Ask: “What do I feel here?” without judgment
This helps you reconnect with areas of tension or numbness.
5. Place a Hand on Your Chest or Stomach
Gently place your hand over your heart or belly
Breathe slowly and feel the rise and fall
Say to yourself: “I’m here. I’m safe.”
This simple act can help regulate emotions and bring comfort.
Why It’s Not Weak to Tune Into Your Body
Let’s be clear: feeling your body and emotions is not weakness.
It takes courage to face what’s been hidden, ignored, or buried.
It takes strength to pause, breathe, and choose a different response.
In somatic therapy, strength doesn’t mean pushing through pain.
It means noticing pain and responding with care.
It means listening to your limits, your needs, and your truth.
This is how you become more resilient, steady, and whole.
Who Benefits From Somatic Exercises?
Somatic exercises can help all kinds of men, including those who:
Work in high-stress jobs (first responders, military, executives)
Struggle with anger, anxiety, or numbness
Have experienced trauma or abuse
Feel disconnected from their emotions or relationships
Want to improve sleep, focus, or energy
Are in therapy but want to go deeper than just talking
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit. Somatic work is for everyday stress and long-term healing.
How to Get Started With Somatic Therapy in Michigan
If you’re interested in going deeper, working with a somatic therapist in Detroit can be life-changing.
In sessions, your therapist might:
Help you track body sensations during conversations
Teach you how to notice signs of stress or safety
Practice boundary-setting through body awareness
Use movement, breathwork, or touch (with consent) to release trauma
Support you in building emotional strength from the inside out
You don’t have to talk about everything right away. In fact, sometimes you don’t need words at all. Your body already holds the story—and it knows how to heal.
Final Thoughts: Your Body Is Not the Enemy
Your body is not weak.
Your feelings aren’t flaws.
Your tension is not a sign of failure—it’s a signal.
Somatic therapy helps men stop ignoring those signals and start responding to them with care, courage, and strength.
You don’t have to go it alone.
You don’t have to stay numb or angry forever.
Healing is possible—and it starts one breath, one stretch, one grounded step at a time.
Ready to Try Somatic Therapy?
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, we offer somatic therapy for men (and those of all genders!) who are ready to reconnect with themselves and heal on a deeper level.
Whether you’re recovering from trauma, dealing with stress, or just want to feel more grounded—this work is for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our virtual therapy services.
You deserve to feel safe, calm, and powerful—in your body and your life.
What If Healing Starts with Your Body? Work with a Somatic Therapist in Detroit
If you're a man who's been taught to push through pain, ignore emotions, or stay in control at all costs—you’re not alone. At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, we offer somatic therapy in Michigan to help you reconnect with your body’s wisdom and break free from the stress, tension, and disconnection that so many men carry. Whether you feel constantly on edge, shut down, or stuck in old patterns, somatic therapy gives you space to slow down, feel what’s real, and begin healing from the inside out.
Our approach is grounded, trauma-informed, and built for real life—not performance. You don’t have to talk your way through everything—we’ll help you notice what your body is already saying. Working with a somatic therapist in Detroit isn’t about being soft. It’s about building steady, embodied strength that lasts. You deserve support that meets you exactly where you are—with honesty, care, and tools that work.
Be matched with one of our somatic therapists in Michigan
Start honoring what your body has held for too long—healing starts here.
Additional Online Therapy Services in Michigan
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, we offer a variety of holistic treatment services—including somatic therapy—that support adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD. We specialize in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and DBT for trauma, all of which help clients feel safer and more connected in their bodies. We also provide CBT, ERP, and empath counseling. We offer online therapy in Michigan. Start your healing journey today through somatic therapy at our Detroit-based practice. We also have low-cost therapy options available!
About the Author
Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP, is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC—a group therapy practice offering compassionate, trauma-informed care, including somatic therapy in Michigan for adults and teens. With training in Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sarah supports clients in rebuilding their connection to their bodies and learning how to trust the signals their nervous systems are sending. Her team specializes in helping individuals who feel stuck in people-pleasing, overwhelmed by others’ emotions, or unsure how to set boundaries that feel safe and sustainable. At Embodied Wellness, the focus isn’t on pushing through—it’s on slowing down, listening inward, and creating space for healing that honors your body’s pace.