Time to read: 1.15 minutes
As a coach, I think a lot about the nervous system and how to teach people to regulate it. I heard an interesting fact recently (on the Ten Percent Happier Podcast). 80% of information travels from your body to your brain. Only 20% goes from your brain to your body.
This means that caring for your body and learning to regulate your nervous system is crucial to managing your reactions, moods, and daily experiences. This is good news because you can learn to regulate your nervous system. Yoga, meditation, and exercise are all familiar tools for physical regulation.
And there's a tool that's even easier.
Pay attention the micro-moments when you feel regulated and notice what you are doing. Then do more of those things. (This is also thanks to the Deb Dana interview on Ten Percent Happier). This is what that looks like:
- When your cat purrs on your lap and you feel a moment of "ahhhh…" that is regulation. Spend more time with your cat or snuggle your cat when you feel dis-regulated.
- When you climb into bed and notice how soft the covers are, that's a moment of regulation. The mental note will enable you to stay in the moment a few seconds longer, increasing your physical regulation.
- Give yourself a big sigh. As often as you need.
- When you pull in the garage and have a few moments of delicious silence between work and whatever awaits you in your house, savor it. That's regulation.
The more you notice, the more regulated you'll feel. The goal isn't to feel regulated all the time. That's impossible. Instead, the goal is to know what regulation feels like for you, what brings you that moment of calm, and the easy activities that can help you get back when you get dis-regulated (which can easily happen during the holidays).
I hope this helps you find the micro-moments in your life!
Have a wonderful holiday!