Feeling lost

Hey @Nw that sounds really overwhelming, like you've stepped out of your nervous system's 'safe zone' and even if it was a good thing, for good reasons, it's still left you reeling.

What sort of things help you to feel safe and soothed when panic starts to rise?

@Jynx unfortunately not much these days long drives are my go to normally but to tired for that. Or I will just pace around.

Sounds like movement and something that is in its own way soothing to your brain can help @Nw - I imagine with driving, it helps that there's something to concentrate on whilst doing so?

Sometimes we can soothe a nervous system in panic mode by giving it signals that we are safe - for example, movement can help because when we're in flight mode we want to run away, so when we stop running our nervous system assumes it's because we outran the danger.

Hmm @MatchaToad usually has some helpful suggestions for soothing too (hope it's okay I tag you MT!!)

Hey @Nw and @Jynx (I appreciate the tag 💚)

I am so sorry you're dealing with that startle awake loop. It is so draining when your body just won't let you take the rest you clearly need and deserve 💚

It sounds like your brain really values rhythmic movement to feel safe. When you're driving or pacing, you're giving that flight energy somewhere to go. Since you're too exhausted to get behind the wheel, I wanted to give you a few suggestions to get that same soothing sensation without leaving home.

• Visual Flow: Sometimes, just the visual of movement can help. You might try looking up 'POV Night Drive' or 'Rainy Train Ride' videos on YouTube. It gives your eyes something steady to track and can mimic that hypnotic, calming effect of the road.
• Heavy Pacing: If you're already pacing, try doing it while wearing a heavy backpack or holding a weighted blanket. That extra pressure tells your nervous system exactly where your body is, which can help ground the flight energy more quickly than regular pacing alone.
• Temperature Reset: If the panic feels like a physical snap that wakes you up, try splashing ice-cold water on your face or holding a cold pack/a pack of frozen veggies to your chest or even your face for a minute. It can act like a manual reset button for your nervous system, lowering your heart rate.
• Low-Frequency Sound: Since the hum of a car is soothing, you might find 'brown noise' (it's deeper than white noise) or the sound of a steady thunderstorm helpful. It can mimic that low rumble of an engine that your brain already associates with being in the 'driving' safe zone.

Be gentle with yourself. You've done such a big thing by having this conversation, and it's okay that your system is taking its time catching up and realising the 'threat' is over 💚