Hi,
I'm Susan Guttridge,
And I'm glad you're here for this resourcing practice.
Resourcing is such a useful skill to learn.
A practice that helps us become more aware of our emotions and how we feel them in our body.
It enables us to shift those states when they feel overwhelming or dysregulating.
And in EMDR therapy,
We use resourcing to intentionally create internal experiences that help our nervous system settle.
These become an invitation to lean into something or someone that allows us to feel regenerative,
Renewing emotions.
Things like peacefulness,
Calm,
A sense of protection,
Or a sense of being safe in this one moment.
This practice focuses on developing or deepening a resource that provides a deep sense of being cared for.
This can be a powerful resource because our brains are beautifully relational.
When we even just simply imagine a presence of pure warmth,
Our nervous system responds as if it's happening in the moment.
The body softens,
Stress hormones drop,
And a message travels directly to the brain saying,
You are safe enough right now.
You are not alone.
This becomes an internalized sense of nurturance,
An echo that reassures I see you,
You matter,
And your well-being is important.
Precious because we all deserve to hear and feel those words.
And one more note.
This practice includes bilateral stimulation,
A right-left sound intended to support a sense of balance and calm.
This practice will be more immersive if you listen with headphones or earbuds.
Okay.
Let's begin by getting comfortable.
Allow your eyes to close or your gaze to soften.
And just sense into the solid support beneath you.
Maybe it's your feet on the floor or your sit bones in a chair.
Or maybe it's the full length of your body resting in bed.
Allow yourself to be held,
Supported by that surface.
I invite you to bring your attention to your heart center.
The middle of your chest.
Imagine your breath flowing directly in and out of this area.
Breathing in just a little slower and deeper than usual.
And letting your exhale be slightly longer than the inhale.
And as you breathe here,
Just notice what's present in your thoughts.
Emotions and sensations in your body.
Just noticing,
Not trying to change anything.
When you think of nurturance.
What qualities come to your mind?
Perhaps someone who demonstrates authentically the qualities of love,
Safety,
And compassion.
And unconditional caring.
Who comes to your mind as a nurturing figure?
If you aren't sure a nurturing figure can be real or imagined.
Someone from your past or present.
An inner guide.
A fictional character,
An animal.
A spiritual or religious figure.
Or even an ancient archetype.
Choose something that aligns for you in this moment.
What matters most is.
.
.
How your nervous system responds to their imaginal presence.
What nurturing figure comes to your mind.
What would feel right for you.
If it resonates with you.
This figure could even be your own adult self.
So that could be connecting with your inner qualities of care and compassion.
You could do that by recalling a time in your life when you cared for somebody else or for a pet or a plant.
The beautiful quality of nurturing already resides inside of you and you can just call upon it now.
Sometimes it can feel difficult to connect with a sense of a nurturing figure.
If that's happening for you today.
Perhaps it would resonate more for you to think of a moment where you witnessed somebody else being nurtured.
Perhaps in real life or in a TV show or movie.
See if you can allow yourself to imagine receiving that exact same compassionate care.
Without exceptions.
And without conditions.
Allow this nurturing figure to take shape in your mind's eye.
Picture yourself.
Together with them.
What qualities do they possess?
How do they embody their nurturance?
Look at the expression in their kind eyes as they gaze at you.
Connect with the warmth that you see there.
Can you feel into their delight in your very existence?
Just as you are.
As you connect with this image of spending time with them.
Of being in their presence.
Just in your mind's eye.
Notice what's there in your body.
What sensations are there?
Or perhaps a softening in your shoulders.
Or a warmth in your chest.
Or maybe a deep,
Settling sigh.
What emotions arise as you allow yourself to be?
Seen and heard and cared for unconditionally by them.
Allow yourself to believe.
Even just for this moment.
That this care is entirely possible.
You don't have to earn it.
It's yours.
And picturing yourself receiving this nurturance.
Allow it to wash over you,
Easing lovingly into every cell of your being.
And now gently bring this feeling.
Right into your heart center.
Allowing it to anchor there.
If okay,
You could place your hand.
Over your heart just as your attention rests there.
Imagine your breath flowing in and out of this space.
Heart area.
Breathing a little deeper and slower than usual.
And with your exhale,
Slightly longer than your inhale.
To help your brain map this feeling of safety and calm.
Let's pair your nurturing figure resource with word.
What word represents this feeling of being nurtured?
Try to choose a word that when you say it to yourself,
It acts like a key to reopen the door to these peaceful sensations.
Just saying that word to yourself now.
Inviting it to become beautifully connected.
With this feeling of nurturing.
Picturing your nurturing figure and sensing into this peaceful inner heart space again as clearly as you can.
This resource is a gift you can offer yourself.
A reprieve you can access anytime.
Repeat your words silently in the quiet space of your mind.
And just rest here.
Relaxing into this feeling of calm and ease.
As you picture that connection with your nurturing figure.
Taking another slow deep breath in.
And just at your own pace,
Exhaling out.
You can wiggle your fingers and your toes.
Bringing the warmth of this practice back into the room around you.
When you feel ready opening your eyes if they've been closed As you return to your day,
Please know that this nurturing figure and every quality of warmth,
Protection and care that you felt.
Came from within your own imagination and your own heart.
This belongs to you.
You embody these qualities.
They are a part of your heart and your brain and your body to call upon whenever you need them.
Return to this practice whenever your body,
Mind,
Or heart needs to remember that you are safe in this moment.
And to be reminded that this deep capacity for care lives inside of you.
Thank you for your practice today.
Be well.
