Definition
Somatic safety is not the same as being relaxed. It includes agency, orientation, choice, mobility, support, and the capacity to act — not merely the absence of tension.
Why it matters
Relaxation-only definitions of safety can be misleading. A person can be relaxed and unsafe; a person can be alert and safe. Understanding the difference matters for both patients and clinicians.
The Science
Safety perception involves autonomic state, cognitive appraisal, and behavioral options. Freezing is a low-activation state that is not the same as calm; alert engagement can be a high-activation state that is safe.
The NSI Perspective
NSI defines safety by function, not by feeling. Can you move? Can you choose? Can you be seen and heard? That is safety.
Clinical Implications
Interventions should build the capacity for action and orientation, not only the ability to relax. The two are related but not identical.
Practical Application
Ask yourself: in this moment, do I have options? Can I leave, ask for something different, or say no? If yes, you are probably safer than your body is telling you.
References
- 1.Ogden P, Fisher J. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. W.W. Norton; 2015.