When confronted with stressful situations day in and day out, your mind, body, and emotions tend to show it. I think it is a common experience to compartmentalize these parts. Your mind and thoughts are busy, but did you notice the creeping tension in your shoulders? Anxious feelings can be accompanied by an upset stomach. This can be especially true for the Highly Sensitive Person who has a heightened nervous system, although this experience of anxiety applies to everyone.
Before we dive into how to care for your nervous system, it can be helpful to understand what it does!
Your nervous system has a few different parts. One part is the central nervous system which includes your brain and spinal cord. Think of it as the center of you! Then there is the peripheral nervous system and this includes neurons all over your body. The peripheral nervous system has two parts with the important job to keep you safe and healthy. One part is all about ensuring that your body has what it needs to stay safe when there is danger. This is called the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
I bet you have been acquainted with your sympathetic nervous system before. It shows up in times of stress.
Has your heart started beating faster than normal and you realize you’re taking short breaths? Maybe you feel your muscles tense. This is because your body got a message that you are in danger and is now prepared to put all of its energy into getting you to safety. This is incredibly helpful when you’re faced with a tangible threat. For example, if you come face to face with a tiger. Your body knows the tiger is a threat. You run and climb and eventually get to safety (thanks to extra help from your body and SNS). Your body now knows that the threat is gone, you’re okay, and now it’s time to relax all the tension.
That’s when the other part of your peripheral nervous system shows up, ready for it’s important job! The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) helps your body find its way back to normal. It works to ensure everything is running smoothly. This is known as the “rest and digest” state.
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t encountered any tigers.
However, I am acquainted with the feeling that I need to run from one. So what’s the deal? It is a lot trickier when the “threat” is something like anxiety about your health. Or, an argument with your partner. Maybe you feel your body gearing up to “run from the tiger” after a conversation with a family member. In these cases the “tiger” is invisible adding confusion. How do you know when the “tiger” is gone? This is also confusing to your body, which may keep you in “fight, flight, or freeze” mode. Long-term tension can get in the way of living your life as fully as you desire. The therapists at ME-Therapy are here to help.
The “invisible tiger” can look like work stress or starting a new job.
Changes in relationships such as a divorce, or moving away from home for the first time. Notice some of these options may be a positive goal you’ve worked toward. Stress can still be present even when the change is welcome. ME-Therapy therapists can help you navigate the stress and help you build skills to soothe your nervous system. Signaling your body to help soothe the anxiety.
As a Highly Sensitive Person, it’s important to know that your nervous system may activate the autonomic nervous system more easily.
Your nervous system is sensitive to any perceived threats. This could be sudden loud noises, change in routine or an extra chaotic day. To ease the increased anxiety and engage the parasympathetic nervous system here are a few tips.
- Exhale – engage in 5-10 deep breaths. Inhale for a count of 2 to 3 and then make sure your exhale is longer (4-6 seconds).
- Practice presence. Anxiety can make our thoughts (and heart) race. Bring yourself back to the present moment. Observing what is immediately around you. What do you see, smell, hear, feel with your hands? This can help signal to your body that you are safe.
- Move the energy! Throw on your favorite song and dance it out. Animals in the wild will often shake after escaping a threat – a natural way their body rids itself of all that extra energy initiated by the “fight/flight.” Finding exercise that helps you shake off the energy helps engage your parasympathetic nervous system.
This world and the current pandemic seems to be serving “invisible tigers” regularly.
This world and the current pandemic seems to be serving “invisible tigers” regularly. We at ME-Therapy desire to help you re-discover your sense of wholeness. Find healing for your frazzled nervous system and find sustainable ways to keep it healthy. Instead of feeling like you’re running from the tiger, move that energy into creating the life you’ve been striving for. ME-Therapy would be happy to connect you with one of their therapists today to help you start that journey.
Ready to Start Therapy to Reduce Anxiety as a Highly Sensitive Person in Florida?
Beginning the journey to your best self is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Trauma therapy does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
Therapy can take many forms. At our St. Petersburg therapy & wellness clinic, we want to will help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means our therapists and wellness team take a holistic approach to your wellbeing. In order to do this, our therapists offer individual therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, therapy for anxiety, art therapy and holistic, spiritual therapy. In addition to standard marriage counseling & couples therapy, our relationship therapists also provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling and poly-friendly kink aware therapy.
All of these services can be provided in-person at our St. Petersburg, FL counseling clinic or anywhere in the state with online therapy in Florida. If you have any questions about therapy, please visit our FAQ page! Also, you may consider reading more of our blog posts to get to know us a bit better. Finally, thank you for allowing ME-Therapy to be a part of your life journey!
