Nervous system regulation

I have been making progress with feeling anxiety and uncomfortable in groups of people. I’ve been working on not pushing the feeling away but letting myself experience the discomfort. The issue I’m having is the feeling of discomfort sometimes gets to the point where it feels very overwhelming for me. I’m not sure what to do at this point… I would like some direction on what tools I can use when I reach the point where the feeling “feels” overwhelming… at this point my brain starts to create various exaggerated scenarios where something is going to go very wrong, mainly me having to run out of the room feeling overwhelmed and needing to escape. This obviously only adds to the overwhelm I’m feeling. I’m hoping you can direct me on what tools, techniques, etc. I can try out when my discomfort reaches this level.

 

Answer:

It’s so wonderful to hear that you’re making progress with feeling anxiety and uncomfortable in groups of people and not pushing the feelings away. What I am seeing in your submission is that there is likely a nervous system shift from feeling safe and comfortable with allowing those emotions, to feeling unsafe and dropping into an activated state causing you to want to run. The good news is that your body and brain are on the lookout for threats and are trying to protect you, and they’re doing everything right. But the experience does not sound fun, and you don’t have to get to that place to experience growth! Creating a plan for your future social engagements can help you stay in a place of safety and create an opportunity for growth.

Create a list of signs that you’re starting to go from a state of safety when allowing your emotions to a place of fight/flight. What can you do to honor these and  your sense of safety when you become aware of them that feels aligned with your goals and takes care of your needs? What do you need to feel to be able to do that? What would you have to think to make that possible? Watch the Creating Safety webinar in the Cycle Toolkit for more help regulating your nervous system.