12/10/2022
Rest is a state where our system is calm, it feels safe and we are able to connect to the present moment. For many of us this state of rest is difficult to reach because of our lived experiences or the busyness of life.
When our system is constantly scanning environments for danger (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) or constantly on overdrive/autopilot rest can feel unsafe or unfamiliar to the body. An example of this would be when we lay down to rest we may find ourselves watching television, scrolling mindlessly on social media, or creating to do lists in our head all while still keeping the system in overdrive. Overtime this can deplete the system (think of stress hormones constantly being secreted), increase anxiety or depressive symptoms and physiological symptoms can begin to manifest.
Tools to slowly start accessing rest safely:
✨Explore with tools (5 senses, grounding, etc) that allow you become present when trying to access rest
✨Remind yourself often that it is ok to rest and we often need more rest than we think
✨Rest is not something you need to earn, we all require rest on different levels
✨Rest can look different from day to day
✨Finding a place/person where you feel safe and supported to begin accessing rest
✨Read about the window of tolerance (see in my previous posts)
✨Remind yourself often that it’s not your fault if you find it challenging to assess rest
✨Patience and self-compassion
You are worthy of rest and if you need more rest than usual, especially this month and nearing the end of the year, honour those cues and tune into your needs. You deserve to rest 💕
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