Unhinged Therapy Part One: Move Your Body, Change the Moment
Today, I’m talking about “unhinged” therapy techniques that actually help. To be clear, I don’t mean harmful or dangerous techniques. I mean the kind of slightly ridiculous things you can try when screaming into your pillow just isn’t cutting it.
In this first part, we’re looking at three ways to use movement when emotions feel overwhelming and you need to get out of your head for a minute. None of these is a magic fix, and you can adapt them to what feels comfortable and safe for your body. Sometimes the point is simply to move, make a weird noise, and interrupt the spiral.
The Fetal Position, but Make It Mobile
We’ll start with a familiar one: the fetal position. When you hit a wall at work or school, it can feel SO PARALYZING. You know you need to do the thing, but you’re sitting there staring at the wall, wondering how all your life choices led to this moment.
That might be your cue to find an open space on the floor and curl up. But it doesn’t stop there! Try gently rocking or rolling a little, and let out a grunt, a long sigh, or whatever random noise feels right. If rolling doesn’t feel good, stay where you are and wiggle your arms and legs instead.
It feels very unhinged. You might find yourself so hilarious that the task no longer seems quite so gruesomely boring. And if it doesn’t make you laugh, you’ve still given some of that frustration somewhere to go. You may find it easier to return to the task with a clearer head.
Change Your Perspective
Next, let’s literally change the way the world looks for a moment. Find a sturdy couch or chair and get into a position that feels silly and comfortable. Maybe you recline sideways with your legs over an armrest, or lie on the floor and put your feet up on the couch. Let your arms fall wherever they land. The idea is to see your familiar room from a new angle and give yourself permission to pause.
When life is draining every ounce of your soul, sometimes it’s nice to let the chaos take over for a minute. A change of position can interrupt the seriousness of the moment. If a pose makes you dizzy, uncomfortable, or strained, come back to a position that feels better. We’re going for goofy, not miserable.
The Almost-Handstand
Lastly: a handstand! Now, most people can’t “just do a handstand,” including me, so the handstand itself is not the goal. If you already know how to do one safely, you know your limits. The rest of us can try an almost-handstand: stand near a wall, put your hands against it, and make a dramatic, wobbly attempt to strike a superhero pose while keeping your feet on the floor. Or skip the wall and invent your own ridiculous victory stance.
Have you ever tried to look athletic while your body is clearly doing its own thing? It’s really hard, and it’s even funnier. The point is to get outside your head and do something silly with your body when your worries and fears are taking up all the space. You can CBT something around and around, but sometimes your brain could use a break from all that thinking. TBH, it might thank you.
If you’re with friends or family, this can also be a goofy moment to share. Watching your loved ones struggle with their own ridiculous poses can bring a sense of belonging. Everyone looks silly, and nobody has to get it “right.”
The point of these ideas isn’t to make difficult feelings disappear. It’s to give yourself another way to respond when you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or taking everything very seriously. Try what feels good, leave what doesn’t, and stay tuned for more Unhinged Therapy!