Exercise Four
Sometimes what’s helpful is a sensory reset.
Our bodies and minds can get truly overwhelmed, stuck in cyclical cycles of rumination or triggers. When this happens, something which may help is shaking it all out.
Here are some sensory ways to help your nervous system reset, and re-focus:
Sour Candies or Lemons - Grab yourself some sour candies or lemons if you have them, and get ready for a real pucker. Remember this is playing with acids, so don’t over-do it or you’ll have a tender tongue.
Jam Out & Get Moving - Sometimes, letting yourself express, allowing yourself to be silly, can be a lifesaver. Put on some of your favorite tunes and have a dance break. Don’t worry about it looking “good” to others, just feel it.
Sing It Out - Singing is medicine, but really! More and more evidence points to singing releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, all things which will help you out when everything feels helpless.
Ice Bath Face Submersion - Fill a bowl larger than your head halfway full with ice water, and get ready for a plunge. This will work with submerging your face, or with your wrists. Try to do 15-30 seconds, or however long feels manageable.
These methods are intended to redirect your mind away from fixation on a trigger, anxiety, or overwhelm, using your physical body and senses in a safe fashion.
