Last week, I got to support people who were afraid.
We looked for WOLVES.
My client was crying… my daughter couldn’t sleep.
They were both afraid. My client, of encountering an unsupportive co-worker, and my daughter, because, well, sometimes it’s hard to go into a dark room alone and sleep, especially with tricky biochemistry.
So, I gave them this exercise to help both become present and respond to the part of their brains that was in fight or flight.
Look for wolves.
Not figuratively. Yes, you “KNOW” there are no wolves, but your body thinks maybe there are, so… check!
Look around the room you are in.
Slowly.
Look in the corners.
Look at the furniture.
Look at the people.
Ask yourself, “Is there a wolf?”
Assuming there is no wolf…
You are proving to your subconscious that you are reasonably safe, and you can relax, think or sleep.
Your subconscious is beautifully wired to respond to threats, but it was designed to fight off wolves (lions, bears, tigers, etc.).
Sometimes, arguing with it and telling it to relax is… not helpful.
This is a way to meet it where it’s at. Your subconscious may not be able to hear your arguments, but it can see out of your eyes, and see if there are wolves or not.
I just did this while typing, and felt myself relax.
A frightening co-worker can still be scary, but it’s reassuring to know that at least they are unlikely to go for your jugular.
Try it now.
Do you relax?
Let me know if it works for you
Christina x