Start Living a Happier Life Today: 8 Ways & Benefits of Bilateral Stimulation
Bilateral Stimulation: A Hidden Gem
Bilateral stimulation seems like a big term. But actually, it’s the simple act of alternating movements, sounds, or touch from one side of the body to another.
Have you ever been asked to tap your head and rub your belly at the same time? That’s a classic bilateral stimulation technique!
That being said, you probably engage in bilateral stimulation daily. It’s one of those hidden gems that benefits you without much conscious awareness of its effects. But if you want to be more intentional about utilizing bilateral stimulation and become more aware of its effects on your brain and body, keep reading. You’ll quickly realize how accessible it truly is, and maybe you’ll be inspired to become more intentional in your practice of it.
Define: Bilateral Stimulation
To put it in the simplest of terms, “Bilateral stimulation is any stimuli (visual, auditory or tactile) that occur in a rhythmic left-right pattern.” – The Anxiety Release App This technique activates both hemispheres of the brain, allowing increased, and effective, communication between the hemispheres.
The most common forms of bilateral stimulation that you’ve probably already heard of include EMDR therapy, tapping, and brainspotting (also a technique used within therapy). Oftentimes techniques like EMDR and brainspotting are utilized to help someone overcome trauma, episodes of PTSD, and other mental health concerns. However, bilateral stimulation is easily accessible to everyone and equally as beneficial, whether you’re seeking to overcome trauma or not.
Bilateral Stimulation: A Happy Accident
Fun fact: Bilateral stimulation was accidentally discovered. Yup. A happy accident. It all began when a woman named Francine Shapiro, PhD was walking her dog in a park. During this walk she began having distressing feelings about a current situation she was experiencing in her life. In the moment, those feelings seemed to cease out of nowhere. However, in hindsight, she recalled how her eyes began rapidly blinking before the feelings ceased. This experience led her to begin studying bilateral stimulation and its effects on the brain. She ended up finding that when thinking about an unpleasant experience or memory and then using bilateral stimulation, those thoughts and feelings stopped… what a beautiful accidental discovery.
A Happy Life with Bilateral Stimulation
With the discovery of bilateral stimulation, more and more research has been conducted in discovering its benefits. And with such a simple technique, there are many benefits. All you have to do is choose which technique best suits you!
Improved anxiety management
Bilateral stimulation allows for both hemispheres in the brain to communicate more effectively and efficiently. With this, comes a decrease in anxiety and also an easier way to overcome anxiety.
Increased happiness
With both hemispheres in communication, this allows your nervous system to relax and move from fight-flight-freeze-fawn and into rest-and-digest. This effect leads to a greater feeling of relaxation and happiness.
Increased self-esteem and self-confidence
With a decrease in anxiety, comes an increase in self-esteem and confidence. The monkey mind that couldn’t stop thinking about the negatives is now freed up and able to acknowledge the positives.
Increased creativity & enhanced performance.
Decreased anxiety and depression allow for those creative juices to flow more freely. And, with both the logical and creative hemispheres now in communication, that means you can think more clearly and more creatively.
Decreased physiological arousal
Bilateral stimulation promotes a greater sense of relaxation. When your body is able to relax, that means your fight-flight-freeze-fawn response has been turned off. Sometimes we don’t even recognize we’ve been in a fight or flight response for so long, until it’s turned down or off.
Increased attentional flexibility
Have you ever had a string of thoughts that just wouldn’t stop? It can turn into a downward spiral pretty quickly. And, it can quickly begin to effect your entire mood and outlook. Attentional flexibility essentially means you don’t become as ‘stuck’ in those thought loops and can redirect your brain more easily.
The distancing effect
Along the same lines as attentional flexibility comes the distancing effect. This simply means that perceived issues or problems, seem a little less significant or catastrophic than you initially may have thought.
Increased resiliency
All of these effects combined transform into an increased resiliency within you. Bilateral stimulation doesn’t take away the problems or memories, but rather helps you in processing them so they aren’t as much of a hindrance in your life. This naturally leads to a more happy, calm, and fulfilled life.
Bilateral Stimulation is Accessible for Everyone
The great news is bilateral stimulation is easy and accessible for everyone.
For anyone experiencing significant mental health concerns, or if you’d prefer the guidance of a licensed and trained professional, you can find licensed therapists with EMDR or brainspotting certifications using Psychology Today’s therapist finder. There are in-person and online options as well as various payment options.
For those seeking to use bilateral stimulation in their everyday life, there are lots of options at your disposal. Some of these options include:
Walking
Running
Dancing
Singing
Swimming
Riding a bike
Listening to singing bowls
Bilateral Stimulation at Sol Luna Yoga
Community is what we’re all about. So if you’re looking to incorporate bilateral stimulation in an intention way, and within community, Sol Luna Yoga offers yoga and meditation classes that automatically incorporates bilateral stimulation. Nearly every class incorporates the use of singing bowls and pranayama techniques such as alternate nostril breathing – another shown technique that utilizes bilateral stimulation.
And this summer, we’re also offering camps and events for kids! In each of these offerings, kids will naturally utilize bilateral stimulation, which has been shown to improve cognitive brain development.
So whether you’re seeking professional support, community support, or you simply want to reap the benefits of bilateral stimulation daily, it truly is easy and accessible for all.
So tell us, have you ever noticed the effects of bilateral stimulation? Which technique is your personal favorite or most effective for you? Let us know in the comments below, or let us know in person when you attend one of our classes or offerings!
