What is interoception?
Interoception is a sensory system that allows us to sense the internal signals within your body. Things such as heart rate, hunger, emotions, etc. are all felt due to interoception. These internal signals help individuals understand their feelings and respond appropriately. For example, if you sense hunger, the appropriate action to this sensation would be to get food.
Why is interoception important?
Interoception is important because it helps you understand how you are feeling and why you may be feeling that way. It also can help you take action to self-regulate the ways you are feeling. For example, someone may be nervous for a test, leading them to notice their heart beating quicker. Interoception allows them to acknowledge their feelings and attempt to restore the balance in their body. For someone who is nervous, this could include yoga, meditation, or mindful breathing. If you are struggling with interoceptive awareness, then it becomes difficult to acknowledge and regulate your feelings.
The Role of Interoception for Regulation:
Interoception can help with regulation in the following ways:
Self-awareness: Interoception allows individuals to be more aware of their bodily sensations, such as heart rate, tension, and temperature changes. By understanding and being more aware of the body, this allows individuals to better regulate their feelings.
Mind-body connection: Interoception allows individuals to develop a connection between their mind and their body. Emotions are not solely mental/cognitive experiences, but also contribute to physical experiences. Individuals that understand how the mind can influence the body and vice versa are better equipped to control their emotions and act appropriately when dysregulation occurs.
Early detection: Those that are aware of their body, feelings, and signals that arise from dysregulation can detect it earlier. For example, someone who understands when their body is full (e.g., fullness in stomach when eating), they will know earlier when to stop eating than someone who is not aware of their internal signals.
Strategies for Occupational Therapists to promote Interoception:
Within the Occupational Therapy field, interoception can help people learn how to understand their body’s signals and emotions. Occupational Therapy can also help individuals learn strategies to help keep their body regulated when it is needed. Strategies to promote interoception in Occupational Therapy includes:
Body awareness techniques: Occupational Therapists may recommend body awareness techniques such as stretching, yoga, or meditation. These practices can help clients better understand the sensations of their body and become more in tune with how their body works. The movements within practices like yoga allow individuals to pay attention to their body and how different movements affect their emotions and physical sensations. This can help them become more aware about how their body affects their feelings, so they are more prepared to regulate them.
Sensory techniques: Sensory techniques can help individuals understand how stimulating different senses affects their body and feelings. For example, Occupational Therapists could see how different textures affect an individual's sensations and feelings. Something like a stress ball may make their body feel calm, which would be a great tool for them to self-regulate when they start to feel dysregulation in their body. By sensing when the body is in dysregulation, they can use something like a stress ball to quickly and effectively manage their energy levels.
Journalling: Occupational Therapists could recommend journaling, which can help clients develop a better understanding of interoception. Writing down their internal sensations along with the emotions they are feeling can help them see patterns of emotions and what triggers certain bodily sensations.
Mindful breathing exercises: Breathing exercises can teach clients how to relax and calm their nervous system when they feel stressed and can help them regulate their emotions.
Conclusion:
Overall, interoception is key for regulating the body. By being able to sense changes in the body, individuals can better implement strategies to get their body back to balance. Understanding this sensory system, it can better promotes regulation, which improves a person's quality of life!
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