Om is Not the Only Answer--Paths to Nervous System Regulation

Forms of Nervous System Regulation

There seems to be a bit of guilt around simply having human emotions. When we talk about using relaxing tools such as yoga 🧘 , breathwork 🌬️ and meditation 🧎🏽‍♀️, for example, to bring us into states of peace ☮️, this does not mean that we aren’t allowed to have and express other states of being. We are not using these techniques to bypass human emotion but rather to deal with the side effects of those emotions on the body.

It’s important for us to know that it’s OK to have feelings: jealousy 🟢, fear 😨, anger 😠, etc. These are all normal emotions that simply being human evokes in us. The point is that we should recognize the emotions, explore them, find an outlet for them and then move the body into a state of relaxation. This is called nervous system regulation.

For example, a loved one does something that angers you. Instead of feeling guilty 😧 for having this emotion, instead of feeling like you should be able to Om your way straight into a state of peace, remind yourself that it’s ok to be angry. That’s a sign that a boundary has been crossed ⛔️. Take some time to explore why you’re angry and find an outlet to relieve the excess energy in a healthy way. Maybe take a walk 🚶, dance it out 🕺🏻, scream into a pillow🗣️, write about it ✍️. Once you’ve gotten some clarity, communicate your feelings to your loved one. Now that the reactive stage has passed, express the reasons behind it to your loved one and invite honest dialogue.

This is one perfectly healthy way to balance the nervous system.

Another example: you’re stuck in slow-moving traffic 🚦and some ‘jerk’ just cut you off and made you miss the green light. Instead of filling your body with road rage 😡, remind yourself that this is merely an inconvenience, that your life isn’t actually in danger. If you need to scream out loud as a way to release some excess energy, go for it, but then get some perspective and try some breathwork 💨 to bring the body back into a relaxed, safe place. This is how we engage in nervous system regulation.

These are just two examples ✌🏼 of how to manage anger. Sometimes alternate outlets are more appropriate and sometimes simple relaxation tools best suit the circumstances. The point is that we know when to use each. The real challenge is putting them into practice.

Try this calming breathing practice:

How have you put some of these tools into practice? Share your story in the comments!