2 Effective Techniques for Calming Your Nervous System
As conscious leader, business owner and high achiever, you understand the pressures and demands of your roles. When your nervous system is running high and you're overwhelmed with responsibilities, it's crucial to find quick and effective ways to calm down and come back to centre.
Here are two powerful techniques to help you regulate your nervous system, designed specifically for those moments when anxiety and a busy mind take over. For a more detailed demonstration, you can watch the accompanying video.
Technique 1: Butterfly Tapping
Butterfly tapping is an easy and effective way to calm your nervous system, when anxious, in overdrive, busy thoughts and restlessness. Here's how to do it:
Position Your Hands: Cross your arms over your chest, placing your hands on the tops of your arms.
Tap Rhythmically: Start tapping your upper arms in a rhythmic motion, like a butterfly's wings.
Eye Movements: Look far to the left and right without turning your head. You can close your eyes or keep them open.
Rhythm and Timing: Tap in a consistent rhythm, counting out loud if it helps: "tap, tap, tap..." Continue this for about one to two minutes. The length of time it will take you to regulate will depend on how familiar your system is with regulating (i.e. applying this technique takes my system a few seconds to regulate, versus for someone who has not done nervous system regulation before, it may take up to a few minutes)
As you do this, you'll notice a bigger inhale and a longer exhale, signaling that your nervous system is beginning to regulate. Think of it like downshifting a car to slow it down. This technique won't completely relax your system, but it will significantly calm it.
For conscious leaders, staying calm and centered is essential to inspire positive transformation and make a meaningful impact.
Technique 2: Solar Plexus Reflex Pressure
Another effective method is applying pressure to the solar plexus reflex point in your hands.
Locate the Reflex Point: On either hand, find the area between the two lines on your palm, aligning with the middle finger. This is the reflex point for the solar plexus, a nerve bundle under the rib cage that contracts during stress.
Apply Pressure: Press firmly into this spot, moving your finger in and up under the heads of the metatarsal bones in your hand. You should feel a knotted or tense area.
Hold and Relax: Hold the pressure for a few seconds up to a minute. You can rest your hand in your lap so it's not noticeable.
This technique helps release the solar plexus, allowing you to take deeper inhales and exhale fully, which in turn calms your nervous system. You can use this method on both hands for a balanced effect.
Final Thoughts
For conscious leaders, staying calm and centered is essential to not only feel calm and confident within, but also to inspire positive transformation and make a meaningful impact.
These techniques are quick, efficient ways to regulate your nervous system when you're feeling overwhelmed and busy. For a step-by-step guide, be sure to watch the video above.
Implement these methods as often as you like and observe how they help you maintain a state of calm, enabling you to lead with clarity and purpose. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out.