The name may sound complicated, but if you’ve ever taken a moment to focus on your five senses – what you see, hear, feel, taste and smell in the present moment – then congratulations, you’ve already practised somatic movement.

“Somatic movement builds on this idea by focusing on slow, mindful movements that connect you to your physical sensations,” explains somatic coach Dani Tonks. 

Ultimately, the practice helps harmonise the body and mind, fostering a sense of grounding, relaxation and deeper connection to yourself, and its benefits include improved sleep, enhanced body awareness and reduced stress and anxiety.

However, one of the best things about somatic movement is that you can implement it at any moment of the day to maximise its impact. 

In the morning, Tonks recommends starting your day with five minutes of somatic breathing – lying down with one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, and tuning into your breath by feeling it move through your body. “Notice any areas of ease or tension and gently adjust your position to find greater comfort. It’s normal for this to feel unfamiliar at first – like any new practice, it may take a little time to feel natural,” she adds.

During your workday, she advises taking regular three-minute somatic breaks to reset. “Stand up, close your eyes and slowly roll your shoulders, neck or hips in small, intentional circles,” Tonks explains. “These small moments can leave you feeling refreshed and more connected throughout your day.”

For many of us, the shower is an important space. It might be where we process the events of the day, where we have our best lightning bolts of creativity or simply where we go to spend quality time caring for ourselves. 

It’s for this very reason that those five minutes every morning or evening shouldn’t ever become a step of your day that you rush through without a second thought. In fact, they should be treated as the very opposite: a sacred pocket of time you can utilise to reflect, reset and relax.

“Training yourself to be really present in the shower – not just going through the motions – can be a really powerful way to give yourself space and be intentional about even the smallest action, like cleansing your face or washing your body,” explains Calypso Barnum-Bobb, a somatic breathwork practitioner, authenticity coach and co-founder of People Like Us.

Not only can hot showers help relax your muscles and release endorphins, but it’s also a self-care activity that sends a message to your mind that your needs matter – and a dedicated time and space to take total care of both your mind and body. 

In the mornings, you can keep your skin feeling fresh, clean and smelling like a spa day with method®’s cucumber, seaweed and green tea-fragranced Daily Zen body wash. After a busy workday, method®’s chamomile, starflower and blue lavender-infused Wind Down body wash is the antidote to even the most challenging shift, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and smelling like the sweetest dreams.

To elevate the experience even further and truly make a moment out of your shower, method®’s Pure Peace body wash is essential for anyone craving a bit of calm. Infused with peony, rose water and pink sea salt – all natural and consciously chosen ingredients that help purify without stripping the skin of its natural oils – you’ll be left feeling (and smelling) like a no-stress zone. Thank us later.

Have you ever told yourself you’ll have a “quick check of social media”, only to finally put your phone down and realise the best part of an hour has passed? You’re not alone. 

Reducing your screen time is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions for a reason. Granted, we may not be able to avoid using our devices altogether, but we should at least take as much care creating a positive online environment as we do our offline spaces.

“Incorporating mindful social media usage into our self-care routines is essential because it helps maintain healthy boundaries between our digital and real-world experiences,” agrees positive psychology coach Anna Shears. “When we actively manage our social media consumption – for instance, by setting specific times for checking platforms, curating our feeds to include more positive content or implementing regular digital detoxes – we’re able to create space for more fulfilling self-care activities.”

One such way of doing so involves creating a ‘dopamine menu’: a personalised collection of activities designed to boost your wellbeing through natural dopamine release, rather than an on-screen stimulant. 

Put simply, instead of mindless scrolling (which we know often provides only momentary satisfaction, followed by a rapid decline in mood), a well-designed ‘dopamenu’ focuses on things that provide you with both immediate joy and happiness, as well as a longer-lasting feeling of contentment. 

“Think of it as creating your own happiness toolkit that is ready to boost your mood whenever you need it and most importantly, becomes your ‘go-to pick-me-up guide’ which stops you from reaching for your phone to access social media,” says Shears.

To create your very own dopamine menu, Shears suggests starting by discovering what she calls your “joy triggers”. “Spend about 10 minutes thinking about what brings you joy or makes you instantly feel happier and your energy levels soar. Maybe it’s dancing to your favourite song, getting lost in painting, doing a workout, being outside in nature or spending time with your pet. Don’t worry about why you like it: if it makes you feel good, it belongs in your personalised collection.”

At the next stage, organise your list of things into four categories:

● Quick Wins  (fast mood-boosters you can do any time) 

● Boosters (activities that take a bit more effort but pack a punch)

● Power Moves (bigger activities that really shift your mood)

● Special Treats (your ultimate happiness generators)

Finally, like a Michelin Star chef, it’s time to fill your menu. “Sort your activities based on the time and energy they need,” Shears adds. “For example, a two-minute meditation might be a Quick Win, whereas planning a weekend adventure could be a Power Move. It’s important to remember this is not about ranking how good these activities make you feel, it’s more about organising them so you can easily choose the right one when you need it the most and depending on how much time you have available.”