In times of unknown, it is can be tempting to fall into old patterns. The comfort of the dysfunctional pattern can feel more familiar than slowing down, checking in, reminding ourselves that it is our choice as to where we put our focus, that it is our choice when and how to move in a new direction, it is our choice to move in that new direction at a speed that our slowest parts feel safe to go.
In times of unknown, it can be tempting to shut down, go into shallow breathing, stop moving, crawl under the covers, try to be as small as possible or even try to make ourselves invisible from every danger of some future possible timeline that our minds can create.
In times of unknown, it can be tempting to blow up, lash out, drink, hit someone or something, say "f*(k it" and lose any sense of our grounded support and our breath, to prepare to fight every possible future danger our mind can create.
All of this could be true. We each have a choice. Do it. Don’t do it. Do it for a little while and then decide to do something different. Your choice.
Your choice
There are other options. In times of unknown, it is possible to slow down, to check-in to the movement of our breath filling and emptying our torsos, to check-in to where and how we are accepting the support of our bones standing strong with the unconditional loving support of the Earth.
We are free to check-in with the movement of our breath and to pay attention to the ways we are literally being supported, right now, right in this very space and moment.
We are free to allow ourselves to gently, easily move our bodies around in the space we are in while looking at, touching, smelling, listening, actively experiencing and being present with the things around us that nourish us.
We are free to notice the impulses and sensations within these bodies we are in, these bodies that are trying to process and be present with our mind’s ideas about the great unknowns. These impulses we feel are important information that we may be tempted to stifle or ignore or shame because we don’t know how to attend to them safely. Ask yourself:
Does my body want to run? Can I run in place right where I am?
Does it want to jump up and down, to scream, moan or yawn? Am I somewhere I can do this safely?
Does it want to stretch slowly or shake, shimmy, wiggle, wriggle or rock? Will I allow myself to do this?
In times of dysregulation and unknown, it is important to remember that we can choose to find a safe space to move our bodies in the ways that it wants and then to Do it.
Remember: the nervous system is designed for movement and movement that feeds the nervous system does not need to be large.
The movement that nourishes and supports the nervous system can be subtle. It can be the movement of conscious breath changing the shape of your torso. It could be the movement of pressing and releasing into whatever surface is currently supporting you.. It can be the movement of growing and shrinking some body part with curiosity or it could be whatever the movement is of letting go of what no longer serves and giving yourself what you desire more of.
While thinking about and talking about your fear, anger, sadness might seem productive to your cognitive self, it is not the best way to calm the nervous system. In fact, unless we are choosing to think or talk with a very conscious constructive intent, our thinking and talking often contributes to more active firing of the sympathetic part of the nervous system which leads us into spiraling patterns of Flight/Flight that we sometimes call anxiety and depression.
Actively moving your body is the best way to support yourself in letting go of the chemicals created by your nervous system in response to the dangers your mind has been and is creating. Letting go of those chemicals while actively making space for more ease and serenity makes way for your body’s natural healing capacities of resting and digesting. Nourishing, healing, and supporting ourselves in this moment, right now, is the way we prepare ourselves to respond reasonably and with resilience when we are called upon to act in relationship to whatever unknowns exist in our actual future timeline.
In times of great unknown, in times of discomfort, it is so important to lovingly and compassionately move yourself, even if for just one minute now and one minute later. Even if it is simply remembering to focus for the next sixty seconds on the movement created within your skin container as you breathe.
Tending to your embodied experience is so very important, in times of ease, and in times of great unknown. Take care, dear ones.