Have you ever walked into a meeting and felt something wasn’t right? Nobody said anything rude. Everyone smiled. And yet, your body felt tense.
That’s your body giving you information. Our nervous system picks up signals before our mind can explain them. A fake smile, a strange energy or the feeling that someone isn’t being real – our body notices right away.
And when more than one person feels the same about someone in the room, it usually means something deeper is happening. Our bodies sense truth before words do.
Why it matters at work?
In business, we are taught to focus on logic, numbers and tasks. But ignoring what our body feels can lead us into problems like trusting the wrong person, staying in toxic situations or losing our own confidence.
What you can do?
Here are some simple ways to use somatic awareness at work:
- Notice your body.
Do you feel your shoulders tighten, your breath get shallow or your stomach knot up around certain people? Pay attention. - Keep your distance.
You don’t need to react or make drama. Stay professional, do your work, but give yourself space from people who make you feel unsafe. - Ground yourself.
Put your feet on the floor, take a deep breath and remind yourself: I am safe right now. - Look for patterns.
If you’re not the only one feeling uncomfortable, that’s a sign worth noticing. - Trust, then check.
Your body gives you the first signal. Use it as a clue to ask more questions and watch more closely before making decisions.
In leadership, in teamwork, in negotiations – your body often knows the truth before your brain catches up. Next time you feel that “off” energy in a room, pause. Your body is speaking. The question is: will you listen?
