Crunch the numbers
This isn't for everyone I know, but I like to review my budget. I made a google sheet of my expenses vs my income. Having a clear plan really does calm my nerves.
Need for Safety
Evidence
Threat detection and protection may be conserved across species and remain foundational for human functioning. This need may motivate building stable environments, establishing boundaries, and choosing trustworthy relationships. With safety present, exploration and learning become viable.
Details about the rewritten claim
The need for safety is deeply ingrained – across virtually all animals including humans, a sense of security (knowing one is not in immediate danger) is the foundation that allows normal functioning and growth. This need may drive us to seek or create stable, secure environments: we set up physical safety (shelter, locks, safe neighborhoods), personal boundaries (so we won’t be harmed by others), and we gravitate towards people we trust. When we feel safe, our brains can devote resources to exploration, play, and learning new things; if we feel unsafe, those higher pursuits shut down in favor of focusing on survival. Psychologists note that children, for instance, only freely explore and learn when they feel securely attached and safe from harm. Similarly, adults in a workplace are most innovative when the climate is psychologically safe (no fear of humiliation or attack). In sum, safety is the platform upon which we build everything else – ensuring safety first makes it possible for individuals to venture out, take reasonable risks, and develop.
Supporting sources
- organizational research demonstrating that psychological safety enables learning, exploration, and innovation (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01143/full)
- study: perception of safety vs. threat alters cognitive processing and willingness to explore novel environments (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7213777/)
Strategies
Reminder: This static site saves data in your browser; clearing local storage removes it, so export backups.
Stare off
Sit or lay down and just notice everything your body is feeling. I like to start with my toes and work my way up to my forehead while I'm just staring off. Reminding myself where I am in the world.
Self holding
Place your hands on the opposite sides of your face and breathe deeply
Snuggle a pet
Don't have one? Go get one and make a day of it!
Road trip
Long or short it doesn't matter. Drive around the block in silence or with music. Maybe plan a trip somewhere.
Watch a comfort show
Try to make space to watch a tv show or movie that feels something like home for you.
Back to wall lean
Press your spine to a wall and breathe into your back for 5 breaths.
Butterfly taps
Cross arms over chest and tap alternately left/right for 60 seconds.
Hand on heart breaths
Place a palm on your chest; inhale for 4, exhale for 6, five times.
Floor starfish
Lay flat, arms and legs wide, and let the floor hold you for one minute.
5-4-3-2-1 check
Name 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste.
Feel your feet
Place both feet flat; press toes, heels, edges; notice contact.
Wrap in a blanket
Wrap shoulders and torso; notice warmth and weight.
Name support options
List three people or places you could ask for support when ready.
Add a strategy
Personal strategies you add stay on this browser. Visit the inventory screen to export them if you would like a backup.