Time to Regulate!

Last week I injured my foot, and I had to use crutches and then walk in a boot. I felt overwhelmed, like I couldn’t figure out solutions to logistical challenges: How will I walk the dog? How will I take care of my household responsibilities? I felt confused, foggy, alone, disorganized, and drained of energy.

Thanks to training in Polyvagal Theory, I identified these feelings and sensations as dorsal vagal, the nervous system state of shutting down under stress and pressure. In this state, people often report feeling disconnected, hopeless, resigned, empty, low energy, foggy, numb, and/or alone. Now it might seem concerning to drop into such a bleak landscape, but the nervous system is wired to respond to stress and threat by mobilizing (fight or flight) or collapsing/dorsal (freeze, dissociate). We aren’t meant to be calm all the time but instead, flexible and able to respond to challenges. Problems arise when we become chronically stuck in mobilized or collapsed states and unable to bounce back to safety and connection.

Fortunately, nervous system flexibility can be practiced through a variety of approaches, and I tried these three strategies:

6 week old baby goat

• I learned about bee tending – regulation through feeling alive and stimulated

• I hugged baby bunnies and goats and felt their heartbeat in my hand – co-regulation through contact with people or animals

• I practiced chair yoga – regulation through movement

Afterwards, I still felt blue and frustrated, but my energy increased and my thinking became clearer. Nervous system work isn’t a magical cure. When we are working or living through trauma, experiencing chronic illness/pain, or facing difficult life transitions, we will still move into dysregulated states, and big feelings will be present.

This reality applies to our efforts for collective liberation. As I watch genocide unfold in Gaza, sometimes I feel collapsed: It’s hopeless, what can I possibly do? Other times, I feel a panicky mobilization and my heart races: I have to do something NOW.

When we practice nervous system regulation, we can show up to life, our feelings, our healing – whether it be a foot, trauma, or collective liberation – more embodied and present. We can feel ourselves more so that we can take skillful action where needed.

What helps you regulate? I’m now offering groups and one-on-one coaching focused on healing through nervous system regulation.

Nervous System Regulation for Healing: A Somatic Practice Group

Wednesdays, Jun 5 - Aug 21, 5:30-7pm PT

• Weekly 10 session group covers topics including building awareness of Fight/Flight/Freeze/Appease/Dissociate states, practices for regulating your nervous system, building safety and connection in the body, co-regulation, resilience, etc

Somatic Transformation Group for People Experiencing Chronic Illness and/or Pain

Thursdays, Jul 17 - Sept 18, 5-6:30pm PT

• Weekly 10 session group covers topics including our relationship with the body, moving from isolation to connection, finding aliveness in midst of illness, grief and despair, resilience, and compassion.

To sign up or get more information about my groups or coaching, book a free consult with me today.