Bibliotherapy: How to Change Your Body: The Science of Interoception & Healing Through Connection to Yourself & Others by Saga Briggs
Most of us are aware of our five senses (touch, smell, sight, taste, hearing), but we also have proprioceptive (spatial), vestibular (movement), and interoceptive senses. Interoception is our awareness of our inner body sensations, our ability to monitor what we are sensing ie. hunger, pain, joy, etc. Saga Briggs in her book, How To Change Your Body, makes the argument that many mental health disorders are related to a dysregulated sense of interoception, impaired body awareness, low body trust, disconnection from bodily signals, and are interpersonal in nature.
From our beginnings in the womb, connection ensures survival. According to predictive coding theory, the human brain functions to create a reliable model of the world, and to regulate and maintain homeostasis. Anxiety arises when our expected bodily sensations and our actual bodily sensations are incongruent.
“The quality of our connection to ourselves begins with our connection to others.”
Briggs provides expert opinions and research to support that humans heal through connection. Authentic connection soothes the nervous system, social support reduces stress, and our bodies can be locations of groundedness, safety, and strength not only distress. She shares that psychedelics, nature, somatic practices (ie. yoga, breathwork), and authentic human connection can access our sense of interoception.
Our bodies, sensations, and emotions are inseparable yet many of us struggle to be aware of our bodily sensations and emotions for different reasons. If you are interested in cultivating your sense of connection to yourself and others, Coriander Living Collective is here to support you. Just reach out!
