Welcome dear one,
I'm so glad you're here today.
In this episode of Inner Haven Foundations,
We're exploring something that can feel surprisingly difficult to describe.
What does safety actually feel like in the body?
Many of us think about safety as something outside of ourselves.
A safe home,
A safe relationship,
A safe environment or situation.
And all of those things matter.
Our surroundings can have a profound impact on our nervous system and our overall well-being.
But there is another layer of safety that we don't often talk about.
That is the internal experience of safety.
The body sense that in this moment it does not need to stay on high alert.
The body sensed that it can soften even slightly and the body sense that it does not have to spend all of its energy preparing for what might happen next.
For many people,
This can feel like a new idea.
Especially if you've spent years navigating stress,
Overwhelm,
Caregiving,
Uncertainty,
Or difficult life experiences Sometimes we become so accustomed to being braced that we no longer realize we're bracing.
Sometimes tension feels normal,
Hypervigilance feels normal Constantly scanning for problems feels natural and always preparing for the next thing feels normal.
And because these patterns can become familiar,
Safety can actually feel unfamiliar at first.
Many people assume that safety should feel like a complete calm,
But it often doesn't.
Sometimes,
Safety feels surprisingly simple.
It may feel like taking a fuller breath,
Feeling your shoulders drop.
Unclenching your jaw,
Feeling supported by the chair beneath you softening your belly or realizing that for this moment nothing needs to be fixed For some people,
Safety might feel like connection.
Being with someone who feels trustworthy.
Someone who allows you to be yourself.
Someone who doesn't require you to perform,
Prove,
Or protect.
For others,
Safety might feel like predictability,
Knowing what to expect,
Having routines,
Feeling prepared.
Having enough support around you And for some people,
Safety may simply feel like having choices.
Knowing you can pause,
Rest,
Say no,
Adjust,
Or care for yourself when needed This is one reason somatic work focuses so much on noticing small moments of support.
The nervous system learns through experience,
Not through convincing,
Not through forcing not through positive thinking alone.
The body learns safety by experiencing safety.
Again and again in small ways over time.
And this is why we often use the phrase,
What would help me feel even 1% more supported?
Because we're not trying to force ourselves into completely feeling calm all at once we're simply helping the body notice moments of support that already exist a soft blanket,
A comfortable chair,
Warm sunlight,
A trusted friend a slow breath.
Ground beneath your feet.
These moments may seem small,
But they matter.
Because every time we notice support,
We are helping the nervous system build a new experience,
A new possibility,
A new pathway.
And before we close today,
Let's take a gentle moment together.
If it feels okay,
Look around your space ever so slowly and gently without rushing.
And notice a few things that feel neutral or pleasant.
Perhaps a color,
A texture,
A familiar object.
A source of light Just taking in your surroundings.
Now gently notice the support beneath your body feel the chair holding you or your feet resting on the floor or the surface beneath you.
Take a slow breath in.
And a long soft breath out.
Quietly asking yourself.
What helps me feel even more,
1% more supported right now.
There is no right answer.
Only an invitation to notice.
And perhaps that noticing itself is already a small moment of safety.
Thank you for being here today dear one.
And until next time,
May you continue gently building a relationship with your support,
Safety,
And yourself.
You
