Need strategies to calm down physically (not emotionally) after a flashback

[Sweet_E]

I am a person with disabilities so most vigorous exercise is out. So when my symptoms turn physical I g...

The ice pack is a good idea!

after learning through bio feedback i am sometimes able to better calm my physical reactions to stress....

That's brilliant. We learned some relation techniques like that in yoga teacher training. It will be an interesting experiment to see how it feels to do a relaxation technique if I'm feeling amped and it feels like my body wants to go-go-go. But it's definitely worth a shot.

I use brisk walks, but I don't try to walk all of the energy out. There's a church with a meditation are...

So do you just accept whatever amped up feeling is going on after the walks? Are you able to sleep after that? I also wonder if I just need to do a better job accepting that there are going to be some nights where I won't be able to sleep and just be mindful and accepting of what's going on in my body.

Something my psydoc encourages me to do when I dissociate in session is to wrap my arms around myself...

Thanks Willow! When I am feeling unsafe, I do like to wrap myself up in this really heavy denim comforter I have from the 80s, when denim was all the rage, ha ha. I like it because it's so heavy.

Mostly everyone has been talking about things they do to calm the mind as part of calming down the body. During this one particular flashback, it didn't feel like there was a lot going on in my head, surprisingly. But I had been working at my job through a flashback where my body felt like I was in danger. I think that the construction noise in the office may have had something to do with it. A loud noise is not something that would get my thoughts racing I don't think.

Maybe in those moments, when my body is amped up I need to acknowledge the mental aspect, even though it doesn't seem like an issue in the moment -reminding myself that I'm physically safe. I might try the blanket for this too.

Thanks for helping me brainstorm!

 

[MyWillow]

@Sweet_E the words are very important too. “It’s ok body, you are safe now body, I am listening to you body.” Most of the time I think that thought as I don’t have the strength to voice it but I’m working towards it.