6 Somatic Exercises To Try Mid Fight To Avoid Acting Like A Dysregulated Jerk
HuffPost • • health
Key Points:
- During conflict, the rational brain often goes offline due to nervous system flooding, making it difficult to think clearly; regulating the body first helps restore rational thinking for productive conversations.
- Small, simple physical actions like taking a step back, practicing horse flutter breath, or shaking out tension can help interrupt the stress cycle and calm the nervous system during heightened emotional states.
- Techniques such as the butterfly hug (bilateral shoulder tapping) and orienting by looking around help reconnect brain hemispheres and signal safety, reducing emotional overwhelm and restoring perspective.
- Sighing with a long, audible exhale activates the parasympathetic nervous system to slow heart rate and calm the body, but it’s important to communicate the intention to avoid misunderstandings.
- These strategies focus on creating space between stimulus and response, allowing individuals to express feelings thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, without suppressing legitimate emotions.
