Nervous System Regulation

I invite the reader to not just read this, but experience these words in your nervous system. Be aware of how you "FEEL" while reading the two examples I share.

The nervous system is the interface between matter and ether, between the subconscious and unconscious, AND between spirit, soul and intuition.

Learning nervous system regulation means building a foundational and functional relationship with your central nervous system and therefore with your authentic Self or Soul.

What do I mean?

Example:

Dyregulated: Thoughts & Stories Rule Our Choices

"I'm worried about bills that are coming due." The thought begins, "How will I pay these bills?' That thought sends a signal to the nervous system, which then dives down into the "library" of the unconscious and subconscious mind.

The mind, spread throughout the body (not just located in the brain), reverbrates like a tuning fork, recollections of past expereinces of lack. That reverbration sends signals through the network to the brain, which now registers this as a "distress signal" or "distoration signal".

The brain ramps up its narrative--stories of stress and negative thoughts amplify. Now every cell is listenening and responding to those stress signals.

Tension builds in the neck and shoulders because all your attention--your life force energy--is pooled in the head. This tension pulls to the psoas muscle and through the myofacial web. The psoas muscle attaches to the spine, relaying more stress signals back to the brain. All from one thought and past experiences.

This is an uncomfortable feeling. Our first instinct is to pull away or contract--mirroring the way we've been programmed to respond.

Now a loop forms. A tension loop, relentless, unyielding. It drives hasty descions (fight/flight) or shuts us down (freeze).

This same loop plays out through fear, shame, or guilt. In this case, I chose the pattern of lack.

Same Scenario: Regulated - Realationship, Empowerment, Thoughts & Stories as Signals

"I have bills that are coming due." I think: How are these bills going to be paid?"

The signal moves...and the mirror reflects.

But I am present. Grounded and regulated.

I feel the distress signal fire back. I feel the tension rising in my body.

First-I listen.

Softly. Peripherally. Not rigid. Not forceful. An invitation to reveal what wants to be seen. This could be anything from my past, an emotion, a memory.

I check my breathing. I regulate if needed. Or I simply relax my tongue to the roof of my mouth, allowing it to soften and settle toward the back of my throat.

These are small signals, yet profound communications-guiding the nervous system to self-regulate.

The system quiets.

And with each repetition of this practice, it remains quite a little bit longer. I'm not in fight, flight or freeze. I'm calm and able to listen to what the next action step is for me. Even is it's just to breathe in that moment.

It's a dance. Like every relationship in our life. (:

***Before you go...a soft invitation:

Pause.

Notice where your breath is landing in your body.

Is it shallow or deep? Fast or held?

Without needing to fix it, just become aware of it.

Now--gently relax your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Let it soften all the way back toward your throat and let the tip of the tongue rest just behind you teeth.

Feel that?

That's a message to your nervous system: We are safe. We are here. We are listening."

Stay here for one more breath...then ask

What does my body want me to know right now?