Are you experiencing physical or mental restlessness? Trembling, overthinking, tension, or pain?
Then you might benefit from calming down your nervous system. But what does that mean?
Many people today live a fast-paced life, where there is rarely enough time to find peace and relax. If we frequently find ourselves in a state of being really busy or even stressed, our nervous system may struggle to regulate itself, and we can feel like we are often in 'fight or flight mode.' That is, a state where the body gets ready to fight, freeze or run away. This can manifest in the body as a feeling of trembling, physical and mental restlessness, a whirlwind of thoughts, tension, digestive issues, and pain - to name a few.
Calming your nervous system requires giving yourself time to relax and dial down the busyness. By allowing both the body and mind to unwind, you can shift from 'fight or flight mode' to 'rest and digest mode.' Anything that makes you feel relaxed - physically and/or mentally - can calm your nervous system. Below, I'll (re)introduce three ways you can soothe your nervous system:
1. Put away social media and electronics, and allow yourself to be present right here and now – without distractions and constant stimuli in the form of sounds, images, videos, news, etc.
2. Create a pleasant atmosphere around you and in your home: whether it means lighting candles, playing calming music, dimming the lights, etc. Most importantly, try to create calm surroundings and a soothing atmosphere around you.
3. Wanted, pleasant touch can trigger the release of the well-being hormones oxytocin and serotonin in the brain and body. Give yourself a massage, apply lotion or oil, or have someone you feel comfortable with give you a long hug, massage, or other pleasant touch.
The list of ways you can calm your nervous system is much longer than what you see here, but it really just requires you to give yourself permission to do something that YOU find pleasant and relaxing.
Do you need help calming your nervous system? I specialize in exactly this, and I'm here to support you on your journey. Contact me via the form or by sending an email to kontakt@sofiesoekvist.dk.
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