Everyone’s focusing on healing their nervous systems these days, and for good reason. The truth is, we can’t address our health issues effectively without healing our nervous system first!
When people think about healing their nervous system, they often turn to breathing exercises, meditation, vagus nerve exercises, or some form of stress-reduction like yoga or taking more walks. While these practices can be beneficial, they don’t compare to the transformative power of INTERNAL WORK. It’s like taking a gut-healing supplement without addressing the root cause of gut inflammation. Healing the nervous system requires creating a healthy internal environment, and without doing so, external efforts will have a limited impact.
In my experience, healing the nervous system is LARGLY (80% or more) an inside job. True healing occurs when we address the reasons behind our constant state of threat physiology. Much of this threat physiology is driven by our internal dialogue – the filter through which we interpret experiences and create meaning in our lives. Our inner critic plays a significant role here, often leading us to feel inadequate and unworthy. Until we learn to change our relationship with our inner critic and replace self-criticism with self-compassion, healing the nervous system will remain a significant challenge.
Creating internal safety through self-compassion is crucial for healing the nervous system. When we learn to recognize and validate our emotional pain and needs, and respond to them with kindness and understanding, it immediately calms the nervous system. This practice helps alleviate the physiological stress responses associated with emotional distress, promoting a state of calm and balance within the nervous system.
Offering ourselves a gentle and supportive presence immediately soothes the physiological stress responses linked to nervous system dysregulation, increasing our resilience. This internal safety net empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with greater emotional regulation and well-being, ultimately contributing to the restoration of our nervous system’s equilibrium and functioning.
For me, mastering self-compassion was the key to healing my nervous system. It completely transformed my life. And it’s not something you do once and forget about; like many healing practices, it’s a lifelong commitment. But trust me, it’s some of the most rewarding work you’ll ever do.
This month in the Inner Circle, we’re diving deep into the topic of self-compassion, and wrapping up the month with a “how to cultivate self-compassion workshop.” It’s going to be incredibly powerful! Comment “inner circle” to join us! 😊
