Your Nervous System Needs Safety Not Just Rest

We hear a lot about the importance of rest.  Get more sleep, take a day off, slow down, practice self-care.  And while all these things matter, there is a whole other piece of the puzzle we don’t always talk about…Your nervous system needs to feel safe!!!

You can be sitting on the couch with your feet up and still feel completely stressed inside.  You have a quiet evening but find that your mind is racing.  You can take a vacation and still feel exhausted…sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation.

Why? Its simple…your nervous system is constantly taking in information from  your surroundings and your body.  

Its helping you respond to what is happening around you, deciding whether you need to be alert or active or relaxed or ready to protect yourself.  You know…fight or flight.

When life feels overwhelming, unpredictable, or stressful for long periods of time, your nervous system may spend more time in a state of alert.  You might notice:

• Racing thoughts

• Muscle tension

• Trouble sleeping

• Easily irritated

• Digestive issues

• Difficulty concentrating

• Exhaustion or unable to relax

• Feeling like you have to always be “on”

This why simply telling yourself to relax just doesn’t work.  Your  body may need more than a mental reminder.  

So…what does safety really feel like?  Well, safety can come from giving your body signals that in this moment you are ok.  It might look like:

• Slowing down your breathing

• Spending time in nature

• Connecting with someone you trust

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Massage 

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that help.  Things like:

• A warm cup of tea

• Feeling your feet on the ground

• Listening to calming music

• Taking a slow walk

• Unplugging from electronics

• Taking a few deep intentional breaths

Something I love about looking at wellness this way is that it takes away some of the pressure to constantly fix ourselves.  Maybe we don’t need something else on our to-do list, maybe we just need that moment to pause and figure out what would help us feel supported right now?  Sometimes the smallest change in a question can change the way we approach our wellbeing.

My suggestion…create small moments of calm in your life.  Maybe start with one small practice.  Something like:

• Take 3 slow breaths before starting your day

• Notice 5 things you can see, feel and hear around you

• Step outside and feel the ground beneath your feet (my favourite)

• Take a mindful walk…even 5-10 minutes really helps

Give yourself permission to stop doing and simply be.  The goal isn’t to stay calm every minute of the day, but create opportunities for your body and your mind to experience calm, connection and support.

A Gentle Reminder from Nourished School

Our bodies are constantly communicating with us.  Sometimes we are so busy pushing through that we don’t stop long enough to listen to what it’s saying.  We believe that education is an important part of holistic wellness and the more we understand our bodies, our minds and our nervous system, the better equipped we are to support ourselves.

So today…take a moment to take a breath, notice how you feel and ask yourself, “What would help me feel a little safer, supported and grounded today?”

You don’t need to change everything…start with one small moment.  Sometimes that is enough to just begin.

Namaste

Lisa