Breaking the Nervous System Activation Cycle

Let me paint a picture…

It is the weekend and we are all excited to be able to relax from our hectic week…maybe there is something enjoyable that we are looking forward to.

We wake up on Saturday and there is some conversation that happens with another person that triggers a reaction within us.

This begins nervous system activation and arousal, spurring on a cycle of negative thoughts and beliefs of what needs to be done in that moment that can lead to arguments, unhealthy coping, or shutdown.

This behavior then pushes us farther away from connection (we may feel not seen or heard) and core wounds become activated.

The beliefs from this wounding start becoming loud and clear - “I’m not good enough”, “Nothing is ever good enough”, “My voice isn’t important”,

“I’m not important”, etc.

This leads to feelings of exhaustion, upset, frustration….and the cycle keeps going and going.

To break the cycle:

1. Tend to your needs first: hand on chest - what am I feeling right now? (sad, angry, hurt, etc.); where do I notice that feeling in my body? (my chest); when I connect in with that feeling what does it say it needs in this moment? (comfort); find a way to show yourself that comfort.

2. Once you come back to your center by providing your needs, check in to see if there feels like there needs to be a resolution or repair within your relationship.

3. Take the time to name the pattern and see if there are any connections regarding where the trigger may be coming from.

It can be difficult being a cycle breaker at times. You got this!

Yours in wellness & healing,

Angela

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