Tired Eyes: Somatic Therapy Tools For Healing Hypervigilance

From scanning to sanctuary: A guided re-meeting with your own eyes as the first safe place after exile.
Somatic & attachment lens

Neuroception in the eyes: The piece captures neuroception (automatic threat detection) expressed through gaze behaviors — scanning, averting, contracting — classic signs of sympathetic arousal and dorsal shutdown

Gaze aversion ≠ rejection: Looking away from kindness is framed as a survival reflex, not pathology, lowering shame and inviting curiosity

Release vs collapse: Eyes that “contract with unease” dramatize the difference between protective bracing and softening into support. The invitation to “let them rest” hints at ventral vagal settling and capacity-building rather than forced relaxation

Internal secure base: “Meet them with love and pride” models reparenting — building an inner witness whose steady gaze can gradually replace the compulsion to search for safety in others

Transcript

Welcome to Exhaled and Rising.

This piece is called Tired Eyes.

Your eyes worked so hard scanning your surroundings every second of your life,

Looking around,

Identifying any threats that might indicate harm was headed your way.

Do you think about your eyes?

Those lonely eyes,

Looking for love outside,

Looking for reassurance of some kind,

Trying to keep you safe day and night?

Tired eyes,

Do you let them rest?

Do they still spend your days scanning for threats,

Making sure you're safe?

Are they shy?

When there is a moment to connect,

When warmth and compliments are sent their way,

Do they quickly look away?

Can they be fed by the kindness in others' eyes,

Or do they hide their longing gaze away?

Tired eyes.

Can they fully trust others,

Or do they contract with unease,

Always alert and anticipating mistreatment?

Tired eyes.

Can they fully express joy and embrace excitement,

Or do they quickly turn to the ground,

Staying stuck?

Do you see your eyes?

Can you let them rest?

Can they see the beam of genuine care coming from inside of yourself?

Can you meet them with love and pride?

Can you see them in the mirror?

So they can stop looking around.

Your tired eyes.

Can they find peace inside of your heart?

Can they look into your being,

Filled with protective love?

Your tired eyes.

Your sacred eyes.

Your precious eyes.

If you have been exiled from your country,

From your family,

From your community,

I bow to your eyes,

Your sacred eyes,

Your precious eyes.

I am Anamail.

I'm a Somatic Experiencing Therapist for PTSD and Trauma Recovery.

This is from my book,

The Trauma We Don't Talk About.

Please,

Be gentle with yourself.

Be gentle with yourself.

This is Excellent Rising.

Support,

Follow,

Share.

Until next time.

Much Care.

Much Care.