Hi friends,
Today I want to talk about how we build capacity for calm in our nervous systems.
When we've been living in chronic stress,
Perhaps,
Or a really overstimulating environment,
Which many of us do because we have so many different distractions in our day-to-day from screens and various tasks.
It can be quite difficult to then,
Perhaps when you're getting home in the evening,
To switch off and maybe read a book or even practice a meditation or do something a little bit more calming.
Now,
The reason why it can feel so difficult to switch off is because our nervous systems are essentially in that sympathetic activation.
Which is known as that fight or flight mode.
In that state of activation,
We tend to gravitate towards things like scrolling on our phones because it gives us little dopamine hits.
And it can be quite difficult to find a way to come down from that state.
Now,
When we're practicing things like meditation or nervous system tools,
They can be really effective and really useful.
But if we haven't built capacity for calm in our nervous systems.
Sometimes it's going to feel nearly impossible.
So what do we do about this?
Well,
The way that I always like to suggest starting when we're exploring nervous system regulation is to find kind of an access point for you that feels really easy.
Our nervous systems,
When they are overstimulated,
Really crave simplicity.
So finding a really simple exercise,
Perhaps it's a few deep breaths or a somatic practice that feels soothing,
But isn't too long.
We don't want to overwhelm the nervous system by attempting to do something that is going to bring it into a really,
Really deep relaxation state before it's ready.
Over time as we find these little access points and bring them into our day-to-day,
Whether that's practicing breathing technique for five minutes a day.
It's going to become easier for our nervous systems to access this parasympathetic state,
The rest and digest mode.
And to naturally come down from that heightened response.
That we tend to find ourselves in when we're having a really busy day and lots of things to do.
So.
.
.
I guess my invitation for you is to really view it as Something that gets to be simple.
It doesn't have to be too complicated.
And that is really the way that we build capacity for calm is over time with these small repeated practices that invite a sense of safety or calm to the nervous system.
So I have a lot of different videos on my Insight Timer profile that are shorter practices that can be really great access points to build this capacity for calm.
And I invite you to find something that works for you and your body.
And I thank you so much for being here today and exploring how we build capacity for calm in our nervous systems.
Take care.
