These are excellent suggestions Vicki thanks. I was recently having an important conversation about calming the nervous system with my friend the day after she had a close, harrowing encounter with a cougar while she was running in the forest. Fortunately she stopped to commune with the trees and meditate so she noticed it stalking her. Definitely a red alert for her nervous system and she used many of these tools in the days following in order to re-set.
Thank you, Vicky! These are just the reminders I need as I live with a relatively dysregulated nervous system. How amazing that we can take care of ourselves so profoundly without spending a penny.
I'm glad it's useful Sandra. I've been living with a relatively dysregulated nervous system for a long time too - we teach best what we most need to learn 😊
This is definitely one to keep and refer back to! Nature is definitely an important one for me, just being out in the fresh air in an open space, away from screens like you say, is so helpful!
Yes! I share that vision too Amber. It's at the root of so much of our wellness I think. Thanks for getting it, it's nice to find kindred spirits here 😊
I spent about 9 months in New Zealand when I have 21, my first international solo travel. 16 years later, I still use memories of powerfully, transformative nature/forest moments from my time in the Able Tasman as doorways in my meditation practice. I love how simple “nature medicine” is. Simply step outside, preferably without your phone, and notice what captivates you. Those moments can then nourish you for years to come. Thanks for this article Vicki! ✨
Beautiful Heather 😊 Abel Tasman is one of my favourite parts of the country, though I don't get down there very often. I'm so glad those memories are still nourishing you 💚
I'd not heard of this concept before - the accelerator and the brake. Having just been through a trough where I needed more accelerator, I coped using brake strategies - until I managed to shift gears towards momentum. Overnight my system rebalanced itself after weeks in a kind of fearful shut-down. And now I've just read your informative article that has made it crystal clear so I can use this tool consciously next time, so thank you for introducing me to this. I've ordered one of Deb Dana's books from the library. Nature's usually my go-to. The Nikau and Rangitoto out in the distance I recognised instantly of course - I'm out Kumeu.
Thanks for sharing that Abigail, I find it such a useful concept, and I'm sure you'll get a lot from Deb Dana's book. She is the queen of nervous system regulation! Nice to connect with a fellow New Zealander... we are a rarer breed here on Substack 😊
Such a needed essay and place of practice, Vicki. I love how you point out that we often reach for accelerators and brakes instinctively...but through less helpful means (including ones that deliver the opposite of what we deeply want and need).
Lately, I’ve needed to put on the brakes by spending way, way less time on Notes (I’m off other social media, but Notes is definitely social media). This has been (still is) a tough pattern for me to break, but what’s helping is telling myself: this (scrolling Notes) leaves you feeling horrible; just do anything different that doesn’t leave you feeling horrible! Over the last two days, "doing anything different" has meant getting a head massage and haircut, checking out a new-to-me coffeeshop, spending more time studying Thai, spending more time writing, and having a zoom call with family.
Yes, I hear you Dana. Notes is feeling very social media-ish and I notice a lot of conflicted feelings showing up. I'm trying to be disciplined about jumping off-line as soon as I get the 'yuck' feeling (envy, comparison, judgement etc).... with varying degrees of success... Stepping away sounds like important self-care ❤️
Thanks, Vicki - often, caregivers are told to slow down and take a minute when we may need something to help us keep going when we don't want to. I use a lot of breathwork and meditation. Would you recommend any specific videos/apps I can tap into and share with other caregivers? Otherwise, I'll YouTube research ;-)
Hi Victoria, I recommend Deb Dana's work. She is an expert on polyvagal theory - teaching about the 3 branches of the nervous system and the idea of accelerators and brakes. Her work is very powerful and accessible and has helped me a great deal
Thanks, Vicki - I've found her website and will explore her work. Music, audio, simple exercises when I can't do a walk-run-walk session are my go-to's. For caregivers with little/no time in crisis or hypervigilant situations could really benefit from the polyvagal theory. Thanks!
These are excellent suggestions Vicki thanks. I was recently having an important conversation about calming the nervous system with my friend the day after she had a close, harrowing encounter with a cougar while she was running in the forest. Fortunately she stopped to commune with the trees and meditate so she noticed it stalking her. Definitely a red alert for her nervous system and she used many of these tools in the days following in order to re-set.
Oh my Donna - those are the moments the fight/flight response was designed for!! Glad to hear your friend was OK 😊
Thank you, Vicky! These are just the reminders I need as I live with a relatively dysregulated nervous system. How amazing that we can take care of ourselves so profoundly without spending a penny.
I'm glad it's useful Sandra. I've been living with a relatively dysregulated nervous system for a long time too - we teach best what we most need to learn 😊
This is definitely one to keep and refer back to! Nature is definitely an important one for me, just being out in the fresh air in an open space, away from screens like you say, is so helpful!
Glad it was useful Sophie. And yes, moving to Aotearoa has taught me so much about the healing power of nature 😊
I’ve just lost an entire comment I wrote so I’ll have to let that go and leave it with this instead - I love this question:
“What would become possible in our lives if we nourished our nervous systems a little more?”
What indeed. I’d be as bold as to say that in the longer term, we would come to see the end of disease, pain and suffering.
Yes! I share that vision too Amber. It's at the root of so much of our wellness I think. Thanks for getting it, it's nice to find kindred spirits here 😊
Thank you.. learning new things here each day ..and appreciate.. Happy New year.. I just found your post here..
That's great to hear NancyAnne. Happy new year to you too and thanks for being here 😊
Beautiful reminders✨🙏🏻👏🏻thank you Dr Vicky
Thanks Tamy 😊
I spent about 9 months in New Zealand when I have 21, my first international solo travel. 16 years later, I still use memories of powerfully, transformative nature/forest moments from my time in the Able Tasman as doorways in my meditation practice. I love how simple “nature medicine” is. Simply step outside, preferably without your phone, and notice what captivates you. Those moments can then nourish you for years to come. Thanks for this article Vicki! ✨
Beautiful Heather 😊 Abel Tasman is one of my favourite parts of the country, though I don't get down there very often. I'm so glad those memories are still nourishing you 💚
Thank you Vicki. Me as well ✨
I'd not heard of this concept before - the accelerator and the brake. Having just been through a trough where I needed more accelerator, I coped using brake strategies - until I managed to shift gears towards momentum. Overnight my system rebalanced itself after weeks in a kind of fearful shut-down. And now I've just read your informative article that has made it crystal clear so I can use this tool consciously next time, so thank you for introducing me to this. I've ordered one of Deb Dana's books from the library. Nature's usually my go-to. The Nikau and Rangitoto out in the distance I recognised instantly of course - I'm out Kumeu.
Thanks for sharing that Abigail, I find it such a useful concept, and I'm sure you'll get a lot from Deb Dana's book. She is the queen of nervous system regulation! Nice to connect with a fellow New Zealander... we are a rarer breed here on Substack 😊
Such a needed essay and place of practice, Vicki. I love how you point out that we often reach for accelerators and brakes instinctively...but through less helpful means (including ones that deliver the opposite of what we deeply want and need).
Lately, I’ve needed to put on the brakes by spending way, way less time on Notes (I’m off other social media, but Notes is definitely social media). This has been (still is) a tough pattern for me to break, but what’s helping is telling myself: this (scrolling Notes) leaves you feeling horrible; just do anything different that doesn’t leave you feeling horrible! Over the last two days, "doing anything different" has meant getting a head massage and haircut, checking out a new-to-me coffeeshop, spending more time studying Thai, spending more time writing, and having a zoom call with family.
Yes, I hear you Dana. Notes is feeling very social media-ish and I notice a lot of conflicted feelings showing up. I'm trying to be disciplined about jumping off-line as soon as I get the 'yuck' feeling (envy, comparison, judgement etc).... with varying degrees of success... Stepping away sounds like important self-care ❤️
Thanks, Vicki - often, caregivers are told to slow down and take a minute when we may need something to help us keep going when we don't want to. I use a lot of breathwork and meditation. Would you recommend any specific videos/apps I can tap into and share with other caregivers? Otherwise, I'll YouTube research ;-)
Hi Victoria, I recommend Deb Dana's work. She is an expert on polyvagal theory - teaching about the 3 branches of the nervous system and the idea of accelerators and brakes. Her work is very powerful and accessible and has helped me a great deal
Thanks, Vicki - I've found her website and will explore her work. Music, audio, simple exercises when I can't do a walk-run-walk session are my go-to's. For caregivers with little/no time in crisis or hypervigilant situations could really benefit from the polyvagal theory. Thanks!
Yes absolutely. I think most of us can benefit from an understanding of polyvagal theory in our stressed-out modern world.
Beautifully expressed and lovingly shared, as ever Vicki. X
Thank you so much Dee 😊💓