By embracing compassion that we are all doing the best we can during a very unusual and not normal time we can ground our nervous systems, just a little bit, into ease to help us be with the quiet before the storm.

The body not only keeps the score but it also keeps a calendar. My entire body knew an anniversary of a terrifying event was coming up and this anniversary was approaching at a time when there were several stressors happening in my life. My internal protectors knew before I did that I did not have the strength or capacity to be with all I was holding and, thankfully, dropped my nervous system in a dorsal vagal state so I could get by on the bare minimum until I had more capacity on board to deal with all the things that were happening in the here and now.

While therapy that brings awareness and tools that can be applied to your physiological state our four legged canine friends can help you regulate your nervous system outside of the therapy room.    Their unconditional love for their caretakers, their non judgemental presence and the joy they can bring from just watching them do something endearing can shift your nervous system, even if it is a brief shift, into parasympathetic, where there is a sense of ease and calm.  

Often a traumatic experience from a long time ago can show up in the here-and-now and most people won’t be aware that their response to something in the present moment has roots in something from years ago.

If you are looking to improve your mood, de-stress or enjoy some non-screen down time, push aside any thoughts that keep you inside and break through to get outside.   The more your break through the thoughts that keep you inside, the easier it will get as your body will crave the pleasant sensory experiences that awaits you … outside.

What we do know is that emotions don’t just disappear over time. Feelings are akin to energy and the energy of an emotion needs to be released in some way or fashion. Writing about what you are holding, feeling, experiencing deep inside of you is a great way to express and release this energy.