Safe & Settled

I recently learned that by simply being even just a little cold, we stress the nervous system. This explains so much!

I have not-so-jokingly said over the years, that I voraciously gravitated to aerobics classes as a kid growing up in Syracuse New York because I was always cold. It didn’t help that my Dad was a polar bear and kept the thermostat very low! 

I’m very fond of knitwear, saunas, sunlight, hot beverages and dogs laying on top of me too. Of course, warmth has always been the obvious reason here, but if you peal the onion back one more layer, the root reason for my mad love for all heat-creating things is because they help heal my nervous system. 

When the nervous system is stressed, we are stressed, in body and in mind. It’s not an ideal state to be in for long, as it will unground you, fatigue you, and tighten and close off your physical and mental self. You’ll be in survival mode.

For the next few days, notice the correlation between your body temperature and your nervous system. Notice when you feel a chill and your breath, in turn, becomes tighter, your shoulders shrug up toward your ears, and you get a little mentally frantic. Also pay heed to the inverse, and notice when you are warm and comfy, and your body and mind are humming along nicely, feeling safe and settled.

When you’re chilled, Mindful Movement can bring you towards safe and settled. Some people run hotter than others, so everyone’s going to have their own journey, and remember – different seasons will bring different tipping points.

Recalling my teenaged self back in that 80’s aerobics room, once class commenced and I began sweating, jumping, grapevine-ing and sashsay-ing, I was finally feeling safe and settled. Any remnants of  fight/flight/freeze/fawn were gone, and all was well. That feeling “hooked” me, and movement has been my medicine ever since. 

Let’s Move! Let’s keep warm….and let movement by your medicine.
🤗