Three Ways To Protect Your Nervous System When You Face Challenges

3 Ways To Protect Your Nervous System When You Face Challenges

Has your default way of existing become “go until you collapse at the end of the day?”

Do you feel like you’re just laying your body down on the altar of getting shit done, day after day?

How can you show up differently, intentionally, so you protect your well being?

How can you function in a way that allows your body to feel safe & resilient, and you feel like yourself again?

How can you do this AND still do the difficult or challenging things you need to get done?

I was brainstorming with one of my Gentle Trauma Release coaching clients last night about this very thing. I’ve been working with her for a period of time and she is in SUCH a better place.

(We didn’t START with brainstorming strategy, as that comes later after trauma is released from the system. However, at some point it comes to the place of setting goals, intentions and actions.)

Here’s a little insight; this go-go-go default mode was a LEARNED survival mechanism brought about by a lack of emotional safety.

However, she had a couple of weeks ahead of her buckling down on something that’s not super fun for her but it had to be done.

It’s a bookkeeping, deadline-based task and if you’re like me, things like doing taxes and stuff like that literally sucks the life out of me.

If you love doing taxes and accounting I respect and appreciate you but I can’t relate at all. 😉

During my last session with her, we came up with a plan to help her make intentional decisions to go through the next couple weeks in a way that would protect her nervous system.

This was a plan to disrupt her default method of go-till-you-collapse (emotionally, mentally, or physically).

Here are three strategies we came up with:

1) Directly Offset the Stressor

Since she would be on the computer a lot, I suggested that she book a weekly massage.

She stores tension in her neck (like I do), so this will help release tension in her body and not let it build up – especially after being hunched over a keyboard all day. She was totally up for that!

2) Take Breaks (Don’t Multitask)

We also set an intention for her to leave her desk and sit down in a separate place to mindfully eat her lunch and be in the moment, rather than eat lunch at her desk.

Doing this actually stimulates your vagus nerve, which tells your body that you’re safe.

Have you ever found that when you sit down and eat undistracted, away from work, that you just feel much more relaxed?

I find that happens. I sit down, I chew, I eat, and I’m present. And I just take a deep breath.

Your nervous system responds to this.

3) Schedule Tasks and Pleasure

When you are working on tasks and just have to get things done, schedule the time to work. Work intentionally. And don’t multitask.

At the end of your scheduled work time, leave the work done with no guilt.

I also encouraged my client to schedule something pleasurable, too. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s intentional. So even if it’s just making some popcorn and watching some trash TV, do whatever feels good for that afternoon or evening.

Obviously if you schedule a workout or some stretching that’s good too! 🙂

These tips are simple I know, but these small simple shifts applied over a period of time can have a profound effect in the long term.

Let’s chat if you feel you need some help navigating challenges, or moving on from difficult times from your past.

Reach out to me if you have any questions about the Gentle Trauma Release Method, and how this may help you navigate challenging times, while feeling safe, resilient, and like yourself again!

You can also fill out a brief questionnaire to schedule a Discovery Call with me.

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