Somatic Approaches for Stress Reduction and Nervous System Recovery: Theoretical Foundations, Evidence Review, and the Dotyk Method
European Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences June 23, 2026 Olena Romaniuk
Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation affect many workers, with women reporting higher rates of occupational stress and burnout. A systematic narrative review of peer-reviewed literature indicates that structured breathwork, somatic movement, and interoceptive awareness practices may reduce perceived stress and support autonomic regulation, as indexed by heart rate variability. The paper introduces the Dotyk method, a body-oriented wellness protocol integrating somatic movement, breath regulation, and body awareness. In an exploratory case-based component, twelve adult female participants aged 20-34 completed a six-week online Dotyk-informed program; 10 of 12 reported reductions in perceived stress and muscular tension, along with improvements in emotional stability, body awareness, energy, sleep quality, and daily functioning. These preliminary observations suggest the method addresses a gap in accessible somatic protocols for women in chronic stress.