Two of my favorite tricks for hyperarousal are:
- Putting it to actual / real use. Letting my senses be given a task/series of tasks to accomplish / burning off all the excess chemicals in my blood. For example? Driving, sport, investigative tasks, music. Putting myself in a situation where I actually NEED to be paying attention, to many things, to create a (lasting? Or at least temporary) sense of calm. The more intense my hyperarousal, the more intense the activity or situation is called for. But? Even a less intense activity or situation can still take the edge off. Like going for a walk, instead of a run; swimming in a pool instead of the ocean, driving on residential streets instead of the autobahn or Amalfi coast. Listening to a piece of music, instead of playing an intense & challenging piece of music. Researching something for fun, instead of academically rigorous research. Picking a lock, or drawing, fine motor activities; instead of a sport/gross motor activities. Whatever it is, mental/physical/emotional; taking all that energy swirling around …and directing it… at a purpose.
The more I USE the hyperarousal? The more it trends backwards to arousal. Hypervigilance, jumping at shadows, bad. Vigilance, situational awareness, good. Hyperarousal, bad. Arousal, good. But it takes time to retrain.
It can be exhausting, retraining myself & my instincts. So I try to keep it as fun as possible. Using a carrot, instead of a stick.
- Sensory Overwhelm. A common trick I use is Hot/Cold. A Finnish Sauna (one better? Hot spring in the snow!), or even just standing in the showers and switching the temp from hot cold hot cold hot cold. Similar? Hot shower & cold beer. More active? Running in the rain. The compare/contrast keeps my ALERT! overactive everything engaged, but in a way of my choosing. Which creates relief. ANY of the 5 senses can be exploited (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste). A key to engaging with myself? To lean into what is startling, surprising, yet predictive.
Having a plan? Priceless.
