How to feel safe
By Suzy Reading
Modern life is full of relentless demands and stimulation, the world news weighs heavily on our shoulders, and there are experiences in life that, despite our best efforts, leave us feeling shaken. We need simple ways to bring us back to a feeling of safety so we can sleep at night and resource ourselves to show up as we aspire. I hope this newsletter provides a moment of calm.
3 things we need to feel safe
1. Grounding. Your nervous system is reassured when it knows where your body is in space. When standing, feeling your feet on the ground brings you back to this knowing. It can also be soothing to lie on your back and earth the back of your body. Alternatively, try front lying and notice how it feels to be held by the floor, grounding your forehead, chest, abdomen, hips and fronts of thighs. Connecting with whatever part of you comes in contact with the floor brings you back to the here and now, rather than darting back to the past or flitting forward to the future, and right now, you are safe.
2. Come home to your senses. Another way to soothe your nervous system and stay anchored in this moment is to orientate yourself to the environment around you. Look up, look around you and let your attention rest on what you can sense - a great way to navigate unpleasant thoughts, sensations, feelings or memories. You don't need to get rid of them, just give your mind something else to focus on. Take in the environment around you and name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel (really pay attention to your grounding here), 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and see if you can detect 1 thing you can taste.
3. Compassion. The fastest way to bring a feeling of safety is to speak to yourself with dignity and respect. The truth is, punitive self-talk is a form of self-harm, and sometimes the person we need protection from is ourselves! Offer yourself tender, coaxing words and feel how this has a potent impact on your body - slowing your heart rate, smoothing out your breathing and helping your muscles relax. You can be your own safe place.
A guided practice to help you feel safe
Watch this video here to ground yourself in compassionate awareness of the here and now.
Wishing you a deep visceral feeling of safety.
Suz x
