“Our bodies are heard-wired for one sole purpose: survival!”
When the automatic programmes hits to protect us we can experience the fight, flight and freeze responses.
What to do in this high activation stage to calm down the nervous system from any self-protective stress response?
5 simple things to pick some tools;
Be
present with a few objects in the room where you are. One by one and
describe them in detail, really looking at them. This can really create a
feeling of safety if you are in a safe environment and the nervous
system can start to calm down.
Be aware of any contact points to the surfaces (ground, chair, bed). Really feel how your weight can rest on them.
Breathe. Focus on the exhale. Exhale longer than you inhale.
For
example 3 to 4 seconds in hold a second and breathe out for 5 to 6
seconds. Can also be longer, as long as your exhale is longer.
Connect with healthy organisms; nature! We pick up energy and send out energy.. not only with nature but anything living..
Think
of a nourishing experience for you. How does that feel..? It can be
something that has happened in the past or something imagined. Our body
reacts to real facts but also anything imagined.. so you can use it as a
tool to create pleasurable response.
These were some examples by
Sara Vatore. She was a guest teacher in yesterday's training
(Psychosynthesis) and she has written an article “Body (Soma) Wisdom”
which is in a book; The Call of Self: Psychosynthesis Life Coaching.
Sara is i.a. Psychosynthesis Coach and Somatic Experiencing ®
Practitioner (Peter Levine).
Those on yoga, meditation path. You
might already know what formal and informal practice does and can be a
good help for the nervous system regulation already.
However, simple reminders during the day sometimes can be needed.
Move the energy; by movement, breath.
Meet your feelings, sensations, thoughts when possible to process.. as whatever rises will eventually pass..
Jill
Bolte Taylor an American neuroscientist has said: “It takes 1,5 minutes
for an emotion to come and go.” In a light of Psychosynthesis this is
possible when we are able to
dis-identify,
so we do not keep adding fuel to the fire by our stories, toughts and
imaginations.. however sometimes we do need to identify for a while or
longer before we can actually dis-identify (so that we are not
bypassing) and then we can self-identify; which is “the truth” of who we
are” and not just some or few parts of us.
