Do you want more energy and stress reduction and energizing human connection, but you feel too introverted and drained to do anything about feeling exhausted all the time? I have a couple suggestions that might help!
1. Self-regulation:
There are many self-regulation methods (explore them!) but two quick simple options are splashing your face with cold water, or taking a quick breath in followed by a long exhale.
Exhaling longer than you inhale calms your autonomic nervous system by switching your brain from sympathetic (stress response: fight, flight, fuck, freeze) to parasympathetic (rest and digest).
2. Co-Regulation:
Spend a couple minutes with another human you feel comfortable being around. Make eye contact (not necessarily continuously!), talk to each other in calm and soothing voices, and recognize and acknowledge both your and their emotional states through active listening. Physical presence and mutually comfortable consensual touch can elevate the connection.
Co-regulation enables two people to mutually facilitate emotion regulation and help us feel grounded. Co-regulation also fosters secure attachment and builds feelings of trust and safety — but I want to focus here on the value that co-regulation can have for each individual regardless of the relationship.
#selfregulation #coregulation #HPAaxis #AmygdalaHijacking #ParasympatheticNervousSystem
