Dear Ones,
With the upcoming holiday season, it is important to put some stress reduction techniques into place now. The body has the innate ability to move towards homeostasis always and has the ability to heal itself.
Homeostasis is the body’s natural state of equilibrium, where all body systems are in sync and the nervous system can easily regulate. Allostasis, on the other hand, is the process by which we move towards homeostasis. Stress is a vague term, which is why allostasis has been suggested as a more effective model for maintaining physiological stability or homeostasis amid change. Allostasis is the concept of adequately coping with unpredictable and stressful environmental stimuli.
The holidays can be a stressful time, dealing with increased spending, more socializing and dealing with familial/friend relationships that are sometimes difficult. It is important to start now in reducing your allostatic load, move towards balancing life and not overriding your capacity.
The following is a list of things to gently practice:
- Being instead of doing. Practice being still for 30-60 seconds, and noticing your body without evaluating, or searching for what is “wrong”.
- Ground yourself in the present through your senses. Trauma often brings the body into the past through known neural pathways, we can slowly interrupt the “go to” bodily reaction by bringing gentle awareness to your senses. Practice for 30-60 seconds any senses or all (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell). Be curious what you notice and what is preferred.
- Hot water bottle against the kidneys. Hot moist heat or even a heating pad can help support the adrenal glands (they are on top of kidneys and secrete vital hormones, but can get “stuck” in the “on” position) to find some rest, and allow the body to settle.
Somatic Experiencing® & Transforming Touch® therapy is a gentle, holistic way to create new neural pathways of safety, connection to self and others. A well-regulated nervous system builds upon your self agency and is the key to mental and physical health. For more information on how Somatic Therapy can help you in your healing journey please book a free consultation with me.
Yours in Healing,
Caroldean Jude,
Somatic Trauma Therapist
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner
Transforming Touch® Practitioner
Internal Family Systems® Therapist