677: How to respond to information from your nervous system
This week on the Anxiety Slayer Podcast we’re discussing how you can learn to respond to information from your nervous system and what you can do to feel better when you're stressed, triggered, upset or overtired.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE ANXIETY SLAYER PODCAST:
APPLE PODCASTS | PODBEAN | GOOGLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY I TUNEIN
Anxiety Slayer is sponsored by BetterHelp
This time of year the media is talking about becoming a better version or yourself or setting new year’s resolutions to change your life. But what if you could focus on doing more of what you’re already doing right?
Maybe you’re already taking better care of yourself by moving your body or have eliminated caffeine from your diet. Perhaps you’re spending time doing more of what you love. Therapy isn’t about changing who you are but it does help you uncover and flaunt your strengths.
If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It’s entirely online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule.
Celebrate the progress you’ve already made.
Visit BetterHelp.com/slayer today to get 10% off your first month.
Points covered in this episode:
When you're overwhelmed or triggered, there's a lot of uncomfortable energy in your body. At times like this most of us are instinctively drawn to distraction or something that will make us feel a quick burst of relief.
Some call this cheap dopamine which includes:
scrolling, watching TV, playing games are just some of the things we use to change how we feel.
But the relief and distraction are temporary and when we're done with that diversion we're dropped right back in the same feelings, and they might be worse because we've not taken good care of ourselves and we know we've wasted time and energy going nowhere.
Setting boundaries and seeing stress as information
We can learn to use triggers as information and cues for healing.
Being in the question. What is this? Can I change it? How can I change it?
We can notice what's going on and respond differently.
Attend and befriend
Choosing acts of self-care. Oiling up. Creativity. Stretching. Walking. Seeking support.
High quality dopamine.
Turning to yourself with kindness and self respect
Self-compassion through intention setting
Responding rather than reacting
Being honest with yourself
Additional suggestions for supporting your nervous system
Tapping - noticing how you feel and find some words to Tap through it, or follow one of our guided Tapping Sessions like SOS Tapping or Changing anxious what if thoughts
Affirmations - write some positive affirmations for yourself or listen to a recording
Move your body
Go for a walk and discharge stress hormones
Do some yoga or follow a QiGong practice
Dance to your favorite song
Shake it out by bouncing on your heels
What helps is to have your self-care choices ready to go. They need to be as convenient as picking up your phone.
Get over 200 Guided Relaxations, Tapping Sessions, and Ayurvedic Teachings for calming anxiety on our Patreon at Patreon.com/anxietyslayer