I’ve often found that in a moment of complexity, overwhelm, or anxiety, that I have lost awareness of some of the most simple yet essential things: my safety, health, my body being able to breathe, the fact that I’m alive, that I am able to be aware, that I have loved ones alive, that I have a place to sleep…

What I almost immediately notice is that my body takes a spontaneous breath. Our nervous systems are naturally supported when they are reminded that we are safe. So many layers of incomplete personal, societal, and familial trauma or loss have kept us in fear and stuck in time.

Whether you believe you’ve experienced trauma or not, anxiety or depression that seems more than in proportion in your current life, may be in proportion to some overwhelm reaction in your or your ancestry’s past — which is a by definition, a trauma experience.

We can practice appreciating the simple things in life that are present now, to catch our nervous systems up to speed.

Embodying Safety

Here’s a simple embodiment exercise to support your nervous system in safety and your appreciation and enjoyment of life.

• Take a moment to pause.
• Look around you and notice your surroundings.
• Notice the simple and essential things that are true right now and evidence of safety: i.e. a safe location, a bed to sleep in, your breathing, you have loved ones alive, feeling your blood flow through your veins, the sunshine, you are healthy, etc.
• Bring one thing at a time to your attention. Slow down and be aware of how it feels inside to notice this. Perhaps you have emotions, body sensations, an image or sense of color or movement. Maybe you feel more present or in your body. Be curious about your experience and let this deepen in you if you’d like to.
• Note that sometimes emotions release or a big breath comes when your nervous system realizes its safety. Allow this to continue to move by being with yourself as you feel it.

Safety Cultivates Connection and Creativity

When we feel safe, we are able to engage more in our lives. We can be more creative, present, and connected with ourselves and others. It allows us to be in more complex situations and interactions, as well as enjoy our lives more!

Taking this into your life might mean to notice your safety a few times a day or whenever you change location. Notice what your capacity is to feel more creative or connected and how it may change over time as you notice the simple things more often.

May you be well and enjoy the simple things!

 

Featured Photo by Matthew Kosloski on Unsplash