Supporting Practices for your Therapeutic Journey

There are many things a person can get from going to therapy – new perspectives and different ways of understanding our history or experiences, emotional validation, unconditional positive regard, being witnessed without judgment, etc. But therapy continues long after your session has ended.

By now, you have begun to understand the role your nervous system can play in your health (here is a quick refresher in case that isn’t ringing any bells). The role between your mental health and your nervous system really can’t be overstated. Over the course of your lifetime, the stressors and the ways you manage and cope with these stressors all have a lasting impact on your nervous system. For many of us, this has left us in a state of deficit where our stressors have outweighed our ability to cope and repair. A game of catch-up that, over time, has left our nervous system depleted and in a state of dysregulation. As a result, anxiety, depression, pain, an inability to relax, dissociation, and so on.

Now, imagine trying to repair that lifetime of imbalance in a few one-hour sessions. Even the best therapists and the most reflective insights cannot give us those tools. It is therefore the daily, systematic, and consistent practices we engage in coupled with the informed guidance that move us toward regulation and help repair this imbalance. As such, the more healing things we can incorporate into our every day, the better.

To make the already challenging goal of changing our habits (seriously, watch that) and increasing self-care easier on you, below is a list of some gems. Things you can do in your everyday life that have the greatest possible impact on your mental health and nervous system. Also included are links on why these practices work and some hints on how to take advantage of their medicine.

So, if over the coming months you are at a loss for what to do between your sessions or are looking to get a jump start, start here. Pick one and do it. If you feel like you can’t do it well, do it less well. Can’t do 100%? Do 80%. Every bit counts. Over time, very small changes lead to very big differences. A daily 5-minute walk can be the thing that returns your fitness to you. A 3-minute meditation can be the thing that prevents you from yelling at a loved one. A breath of fresh air can be what allows your body to release. A nourishing meal could be what helps you to feel loved that day. And you’re worth it.

Please let me know how it goes.

DISCLAIMER: Take your time. Each piece below has medicine in it but you will only know if that practice is for you if you try them one at a time. Some of that medicine will be for you, some will not. Pace yourself, give each practice a chance to have an effect, and check-in with yourself, choosing those that speak to you. It is not to be forced or rushed, nor will the help of that tool show itself to you right away. So take your time, play with it, have fun, and know that this list is here for when you are ready and the time is right, not sooner. :)

Click the links for more information.