Last week, we touched on the physiological responses in the body that might fire up when we’re triggered around any stressor–including our money!. We talked about what that might look and feel like, and some mindfulness tools we might use to navigate our way back to calm whenever we’re feeling like we might need to Fight, Flee, Freeze or Appease our stressor. We focused on what was going on in the body and how we might deal with it, in the moment.
Let’s now touch on a few practices, and actions, we might take or immerse ourselves in, either with or outside the body, in order to build our capacity for more calm. Again, once we have more capacity for that calm nervous system state, we can process our circumstances in a productive way.
Circumstance–>Thought–>Feeling–>Behavior–>Outcome. It’s how we relate to our circumstances that really matters! Our nervous system state results in our thoughts, feelings, and so on.
As a reminder, all states of the nervous system are necessary and needed to be a functional human; none of them are bad or worth trying to deny. We’re simply trying to increase our capacity for staying calm and avoid the flare-ups. It’s from a place of feeling centered that we make the most sense of what is going on with our lives, and our finances. We can actually PAUSE between circumstance and thought, rather than feeling triggered, shutting down, or whatever our systematic state is that we are personally wired for.
If we’re finding we’re frenetic around our money, we might just be functioning from a less-regulated place as well. A few actionable’s are below that just might help.
Engaging in Movement
We all know that exercise is healthy, but even any, or the smallest movements, may have big impact when done consistently!
Traditional exercise releases endorphins, which can give us the energy to tackle our tasks and work towards our goals.
“Somatic Movement”, or small intentional movement geared towards achieving a calmer state, such as breathwork, shaking out the body, or simple stretching can work! Intentional movement can help by increasing our awareness of the present moment and, overtime, can even create more space within the body, which can translate to space you can rest in the next time you’re feeling you might slip into a deregulated state.
Combating Loneliness
Half of all Americans report feeling lonely. This percentage intensified directly as result to the invention of Social Media. We no longer see each other as much in person! We may feel like we’re more engaged, but the evidence is proving, over time, that true human-to-human connection is what makes us thrive. With face-to-face connection, comes awash of “feel-good chemicals” such as oxytocin. There is also a mechanism of co-regulation that our systems engage in when we’re around another human we care about. Co-regulation makes us feel calmer and at peace. How cool is that?
If you’re stuck in a tech-dominated day, even a video call can do this, rather than a text message. No humans around? Talk to your fur-babies or plants! Engaging with something you care about can get results.
Going Outside
Though not always possible (weather-wise, Hello Winter!) there is evidence that getting in nature immediately calms our nervous systems if we’re feeling any stress or anxiety. The mental health benefits are huge; with sun exposure alone comes more feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin “the happy chemical” that allows us to feel joy.
When we’re outside, all of our senses are engaged and on alert, making us much more mindful of our surroundings. Can’t get out? Next best thing is a making sure you’re getting enough light indoors; try a Happy-Light!
Volunteering
Volunteering, or engaging with your community in a meaningful way, is a way of improving physical and mental health, and combating loneliness at once! Research shows that the benefits of being around others who are as passionate as you are about making a difference or working towards a goal, can stimulate our nervous system, in a positive way. Chemically, endorphins are released, as well as oxytocin, meaning more energy and a feeling of closeness! Probably most of all, we feel purposeful and impactful. Having purpose can do wonders for your ability to achieve peace.
While each of these actions is a great option for expanding our capacity for stress, none of them are one-and-done, or will work overnight. Building our capacity for a calm and grounded central nervous system is a practice. The more we can engage in even the smallest 1% turn towards healthy living (that we actually enjoy), the more likely we are to be headed that way sustainably. Better choices provide better results.
What’s one action you can do right now that might be impactful the next time you need to stay grounded?
Unlocking Abundance 