I know many of us are wondering, “What can I do?” How do we contribute to bringing peace into action in the world?
As a coach, I focus on helping my clients be stable so they can do their creative work. But distraction, overwhelm and the inability to focus is plaguing many of us now.
What gets in the way of emotional stability? A deregulated nervous system. You’ve probably heard about how a deregulated nervous systems can cause us to feel:
- Anxious all the time
- Unable to sleep well
- Easily irritated
- Overwhelmed by emotions
If you feel out of whack and unable to bring calm and focus, you might consider building a new relationship with your nervous system.
With a regulated nervous system, we can:
- Show up more for ourselves and others
- Have resiliency around the intensity of the world
- Feel grounded and able to act according to our strengths.
What’s making a difference for me now
Today, I share some of the things that make a noticeable difference for me and my nervous system.
One of the most meaningful shifts for me has come from working both as a client and a practitioner with a modality called Quantum Energy Coaching.
For the first time in my life, I know what it feels like to live with a consistently regulated nervous system. I’m still myself, but I’m no longer pulled into overwhelm or left at the mercy of sudden emotional surges.
When something does trigger me, it’s more like a match being lit and then extinguished. The fire doesn’t take over my day. I don’t get caught in endless thought loops that burn up my precious energy.
This kind of steadiness has made life and my work far more enjoyable.
Along with this longer-term support, there are easy, inexpensive things I turn to every day to bring myself back into calm. They’re not cures, but they help.
Here are my favorite calming practices.
Daily morning time in my studio ‘lounge’. There’s a very low bar = it’s just time with me as a human as I awaken to the day, not diving into work mode as I did in my 30s and 40s. This ritual is not any big whoop, just time with coffee, water, my notebooks. I pull my tarot and angel card and doodle some notes and images in my journal. As the coffee kicks in, ideas formulate. Sometimes I write for work, sometimes I do research.
This time is always accompanied by music on Insight Timer. I love the gentle, soothing sounds. I am not claiming this time as ‘meditating’.
Shakti mat naps You may have heard me rave about my Shakti mat. This acupressure mat allows for deep rest and a deep nap. The feeling afterward is like having had a wonderful massage or a great yoga class. Also accompanied by music on Insight Timer. I do this almost daily and take my mat on all my travels.
Walks in nature Living close to City Park gives me a giant backyard to wander in. Seeing the lake, tons of geese coming and going and squawking and pecking and pooping, plus people, dogs, life helps me recenter myself after being at a screen for long hours.
Time with my artist at my studio desk playing with watercolor paint. My artist is back! If you want to see what’s happening in my art studio, join me at Stumbling Toward Genius where I share my art and process.
Cuddling with my husband Steve or my granddog Rex instantly calms my nervous system. I feel a sense of love and connection. My body relaxes instantly in a primal way.
Expressive journaling has been helpful to clear thoughts and emotions and recalibrate to what’s true for me. Takes some time, but it’s surprisingly powerful and simple.
What helps you maintain a regulated nervous system? Share in a comment below.
Art on this website is by Cynthia Morris.
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