Stress
Stress is the most common reason people try sophrology. The breathing and body-awareness exercises are short, so many people use them during the working day to slow down between tasks or after a difficult conversation.
Anxiety
Some people use sophrology to learn ways of calming their body when they feel anxious. A small trial in Spain reported lower anxiety scores after a four-week programme, but the evidence is limited. If anxiety is affecting your daily life, speak to your GP first. Sophrology can then be an extra support, not a replacement. You can try a simple breathing exercise at home.
Sleep
Evening routines built around slow breathing and gentle visualisation help some people wind down before bed. Sophrology will not treat a sleep disorder, so see your GP if poor sleep goes on for weeks. Read our evening wind-down routine.
Exam and performance nerves
Students, performers and people facing interviews often use sophrology to prepare. Practitioners teach a short routine to use before the event, and a visualisation of the day going the way you want it to. Read how students use it.
Pregnancy and birth
Many practitioners offer sessions for pregnancy and birth preparation, using breathing and relaxation to build confidence ahead of labour. Tell your midwife you are doing it. Sophrology does not replace antenatal care. See what to expect from sophrology in pregnancy.
Pain and burnout
People living with long-term pain sometimes use sophrology to change how they cope with it, and people recovering from burnout use it to rebuild a sense of calm and energy. It does not treat the cause of pain or of burnout, so keep your medical care in place.
When to speak to your GP first
See your GP before starting if you have a medical or mental health condition, if you are pregnant, or if your symptoms are getting worse. If you ever feel you might harm yourself, call 999 or contact Samaritans free on 116 123.