calming the nervous system

In the past few days, weeks, months, I've been listening to many people's thoughts and feelings about wars, election results, consequences of climate change, and their thoughts and feelings about their own struggles with health topics, relationship dynamics, their past and their future.

If the people I've been in direct contact with are any indication, I can imagine that some (if not all) of these topics are turning circles in your head too.
In case it was (or still is) for you, all I can say right now is that I see you. I feel you.

In the hope that they'll offer support and relief to you, here are a few simple ways to calm the nervous system, to find a sense of grounding in the midst of the storm:

• Look around.
  I know it sounds too simple, but it seriously helps. When we’re feeling threatened, our vision gets narrow. Widen your vision by slowly taking in your surroundings. Look in all directions, including below and behind you.
• Run cold water over your wrists.
  Doing this activates your parasympathetic nervous system - the one linked to rest and relaxation - to trigger a biological response that tells you to calm down.
• Put your right hand under your left armpit, your left hand on your right shoulder. Feel your hands like a container, holding you.
  This can help to bring a feeling of safety and care.
• Cry. If you can’t, stimulating it with a song, book or movie that touches you might help.
  Crying allows you to shift out of a fight, flight, or freeze response.
• If you can, go for a walk in nature. Breathe deeply while feeling your feet on the earth.
  Walking in nature can have a positive effect on the body's autonomic nervous system, as it reduces sympathetic nervous system activity.

If you'd like more guidance towards understanding and learning how to heal your nervous system, I’ve combined more than two decades of knowledge and experience into one-on-one sessions.