Resets: People
Have you ever felt stressed or anxious and been unsure of why? These feelings are a natural response by our nervous system to keep us safe. Our nervous system operates to protect us from harmful situations. Sometimes, it is overly protective, and makes us feel alarmed without cause. When we recognize feeling stressed or anxious we can resource with a reset.
A Reset is designed to help us respond differently to feeling stressed or anxious. And most importantly to get your nervous system working optimally to become more resilient. A reset can help tether us to those moments when we feel our best. When we feel our best, our system is well-regulated, and we’re able to operate from a place of clarity, compassion, and curiosity. A reset can be an exercise, an activity, or even just a reminder of those well-regulated moments. They provide an opportunity to become more aware of how we feel and the factors behind those feelings.
What keeps you feeling grounded? What helps you feel connected? Resets can vary from person to person, and once you’ve identified what resonates with you, you can utilize them to help reduce anxiety, stress, and feelings of fear. With these tools, we can navigate a stressful world in a meaningful way.
How can picture of other people help regulate your nervous system?
People co-regulate with one another, and studies have shown that looking at pictures of healthy, loving relationships and smiling, and happy people, can help the nervous system to regulate. Looking at pictures of happy, smiling people can help to activate the pleasure centers of the brain, increasing your sense of security and safety. Additionally, seeing the faces of others can help our nervous systems to feel more connected.
Let’s play with the dance of your nervous system!
Below are both linked videos and photos to explore. Before we click into either, let’s take a minute to recognize that what makes a nervous system feel pleasure is deeply personal. There are millions of factors, including our cultural norms, our lived experiences, and the way in which society recognizes our intersectional identities. The faces and people included within this reset are meant to serve as a diverse and vibrant cross section of what we may experience in the world. We’ve tried to sample images and videos that have captured well-regulated nervous systems, because one of the biggest ways that we as individuals can regulate our own nervous systems, is by co-regulating with others. Often times, the best ways to experience this sense of co-regulation is with trusted friends, family, and loved ones. Now that we’ve spent a minute with those facts, you can take some time to explore the videos and images linked below. Remember that what your nervous system finds pleasurable is deeply personal to you!
