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How To MANAGE STRESS + ALL THE THINGS ON YOUR PLATE BETTER!
In our culture, we have this attitude of MORE, BIGGER, BETTER and yet mental and physical health issues are at all-time highs, loneliness, dissatisfaction, and disconnection are commonplace. We are unwell as a cultural and I’m convinced part of the issue is our busyness and this MORE, BIGGER, BETTER attitude.
Engage with NATURE to NURTURE!
One way to intervene and support our Autonomic Nervous System is through spending time in nature. Time in nature reduces stress, improves well-being, and moves us into a ventral vagal state where we can connect with others. Come engage with nature at Willow River State Park 10/10/21 GROUP HIKE TO CONNECT and 11/13/21 GROUP HIKE TO CONNECT.
2-for-1 Mental Well-Being!
It’s common that I have clients show up for therapy with stress related concerns. Often these folks feel overwhelmed with all their daily responsibilities, and they come to therapy for “tools, coping skills, or strategies” so that they can manage the same number of things, but better!
One strategy that I have found myself speaking on lately is how can we meet multiple needs with one activity?
“Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation!”
As humans, our physiology and behaviors are literally in the service of survival. “Every response is an action in the service of survival” according to Deb Dana in The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. The goal of psychotherapy is to move clients from a state of dysregulation to a state of regulation.
Our Autonomic Nervous System includes two main branches, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic which include three pathways of how we respond to our environments and internal states.
There are many ways to intervene and work with our Autonomic Nervous Systems. Things such as spending time in nature, dancing or exercising, listening to music, breathing exercises, meditating, playing, and Brainspotting can all support us in shifting into a ventral vagal state of regulation. If you are interested in learning more about your Autonomic Nervous System and how it works in your service, Coriander Living Collective is up for the task.