Reach out for support

All of us are social beings who need reliable and reciprocal relationships to help us feel safe and at ease. It is called ” co-regulating,” and it happens way below our conscious awareness. We help regulate each other’s nervous systems and empower each other to feel secure and connected.

In the yoga tradition Anandamaya (the dimension of joy and connection) is considered to be the deepest and most important part of the human experience. We are meant to connect to ourselves, our families, our communities, humanity as a whole, and something greater than ourselves. This week we will make a point to reach out to someone who helps you find your footing.

HOW TO: Identify a person in your life that usually helps you feel more grounded and secure. Call that person or set up a get-together and just talk about stuff. You do not have to specifically ask for help (although you could). Instead, try to monitor your own physiological state when you are around that person. How does it feel?

For an additional bonus, you can try to be that person for somebody else. Listen to somebody with full attention, without judgement or desire to “fix it”, breathe with them, make them feel safe. Both of you will reap the benefits.