Priya’s Pause: Parenting Stress and Somatic Overload

Priya was a devoted parent, always on the go. She balanced work, family, and household responsibilities, rarely slowing down. Over time, Priya began to feel numb and irritable. She noticed that it was difficult to relax or be fully present with her child, even during quiet moments. Her body felt tense and overloaded, but she didn’t know how to find rest. Priya’s introduction to SOFT changed her relationship with her body and her family. The first step was micro-noticing—pausing for a few seconds, several times a day, just to sense what was present. Priya learned to check in with herself before responding to her child or moving to the next task. She would place a hand on her chest or belly, noticing her breath or heartbeat, even if only for a few moments. If she felt overwhelmed, Priya practiced small acts of embodied rest. Sometimes this was closing her eyes for one breath, feeling her feet on the ground, or letting her shoulders drop. She discovered that these brief pauses helped her nervous system reset. Priya also learned to model this for her child. She invited her child to join her in “quiet time,” taking slow breaths or stretching together. This helped her family create new rituals of regulation and connection. With SOFT, Priya found that rest and presence were possible, even in a busy life. Her irritability lessened, and moments of connection with her child became more frequent and meaningful. If you feel overwhelmed by parenting stress or somatic overload, try this practice: Pause for a few seconds. Notice your breath, your feet on the floor, or the feeling of your hand on your body. Allow yourself to rest, even for just one moment. If you like, invite your child to join you in a simple breath or stretch. SOFT teaches that small pockets of embodied rest can support your well-being and help your whole family regulate together. If you’re a therapist, yoga instructor, or bodyworker who is interested in learning more about SOFT Certification, take a look at our Level 1, 2, and 3 training programs on our website, thesoftapproach.com