THESE CRAZY TIMES CALL FOR COMPASSIONATE SELF REGULATION
Thank you for clarifying. Let me look that up to make sure I have the details right before updating your piece.
Searched the web
Searched the web
Got it — I have the full picture now. Here's the updated piece with Charlie Kirk's name in place:
Are you feeling dysregulated these days? That's a serious question. Because I am. I've had experiences over the last few weeks that have required me to really focus on tending to my peace, my calm, my presence — and my ability to actually ground into my body. No joke. I've had to be intentional about it.
And I'm just going to call a thing a thing: has the Charlie Kirk murder and the subsequent barrage of hate speech had you wanting to numb out, even just for a little while? If so, you are not alone. And if you're not even sure how to answer that question — you're not alone in that either.
Here's how to tell if your nervous system is asking for help, and what to do about it.
Signs You're Physically Dysregulated
These show up differently for everyone, but common signals include:
Rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, or feeling like you can't get a full breath
Muscle tension, jaw clenching, stomach knots, digestive issues
Trouble sleeping or restless sleep
Fatigue, heaviness, or a "numb" feeling in your body
Chronic pain or frequent headaches
Overeating, undereating, or craving sugar and caffeine
Feeling on edge — jumpy, hyper-alert — or completely checked out
Do any of those resonate? Are you experiencing something that isn't on that list? Be honest with yourself. How you feel in your body matters. We are being inundated with alarming news every single day, on top of whatever we're already carrying in our personal lives. It's a lot. I encourage you to get honest about what you're consuming, how much you're taking in, and to give yourself full permission to step back when you need to. Protecting your peace is not optional right now.
Here are some of my own go-to practices, along with additional tools that may help you navigate this time.
Physical Regulation
Breathwork: Long exhales, sighing, or humming — all of these stimulate the vagus nerve and signal safety to your body.
Movement: Shaking, dancing, walking barefoot, stretching, yoga, qigong. Let your body move it through.
Nourishment + rest: Balanced meals, hydration, restorative sleep, sunlight. The basics matter more than ever.
Emotional Regulation
Name and allow: Simply saying "I feel anxious" helps your brain integrate the experience instead of suppressing it.
Self-soothing: Place a hand over your heart. Hum. Rock gently. Ground yourself through touch.
Co-regulation: Let yourself be supported by safe people — eye contact, a hug, a real conversation.
Mental Regulation
Reframe: Notice catastrophic thinking and gently redirect with "I am safe right now."
Mindfulness: Anchor into the present through breath or sensory awareness.
Boundaries with input: Reduce overstimulation — news, social media, too many obligations. You get to limit what comes in.
Spiritual Regulation
Ritual: Light a candle, pray, chant, spend time in nature — whatever connects you to something larger than the noise.
Trust: Remind yourself that you are held, guided, connected — whether that's by Spirit, God, the universe, or your ancestors.
Meaning-making: Gently hold the possibility that what feels hard is also part of your growth.
These practices exist to help you create a felt sense of safety — in your body, your mind, your life. Return to them as often as you need to. You deserve the care.
And if you need additional support, I'm here. Whether that's coaching, massage, or a combination of both — reach out and let's work together.