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When something scary happens, our bodies take over. Our senses sharpen, our attention narrows, and we’re pulled fully into the moment, because that’s how we’re wired to survive. But sometimes our body reacts when there isn’t an immediate threat. We don’t get to decide when or how those strong reactions show up. Our body knows what to do as our chest tightens, our minds race, we become edgy and hypervigilant. This is not weakness, it’s our negativity bias, our brain and nervous system locking onto threat because they believe that’s how we stay safe. It is a full body experience, whether we like it or not- all of our attention is grabbed. 

But what about the pleasant moments? We daydream through them, multitask and then they pass. Our brains aren’t wired to hyperfocus on them. I want to suggest that we savour those moments, with as much gusto as we do for the less pleasant experiences- intentionally use your senses to slow down the moment- what does the laughter sound like, what does their hand in yours feel like? What can you smell in your child’s sweaty hair, or what does it feel like to be cuddled tightly? Stay with it for a few extra seconds. 

 Make the moments linger, savour them! 

When something scary happens, our bodies take over. Our senses sharpen, our attention narrows, and we’re pulled fully into the moment, because that’s how we’re wired to survive. But sometimes our body reacts when there isn’t an immediate threat. We don’t get to decide when or how those strong reactions show up. Our body knows what to do as our chest tightens, our minds race, we become edgy and hypervigilant. This is not weakness, it’s our negativity bias, our brain and nervous system locking onto threat because they believe that’s how we stay safe. It is a full body experience, whether we like it or not- all of our attention is grabbed. 

But what about the pleasant moments? We daydream through them, multitask and then they pass. Our brains aren’t wired to hyperfocus on them. I want to suggest that we savour those moments, with as much gusto as we do for the less pleasant experiences- intentionally use your senses to slow down the moment- what does the laughter sound like, what does their hand in yours feel like? What can you smell in your child’s sweaty hair, or what does it feel like to be cuddled tightly? Stay with it for a few extra seconds. 

 Make the moments linger, savour them! 

When something scary happens, our bodies take over. Our senses sharpen, our attention narrows, and we’re pulled fully into the moment, because that’s how we’re wired to survive. But sometimes our body reacts when there isn’t an immediate threat. We don’t get to decide when or how those strong reactions show up. Our body knows what to do as our chest tightens, our minds race, we become edgy and hypervigilant. This is not weakness, it’s our negativity bias, our brain and nervous system locking onto threat because they believe that’s how we stay safe. It is a full body experience, whether we like it or not- all of our attention is grabbed. 

But what about the pleasant moments? We daydream through them, multitask and then they pass. Our brains aren’t wired to hyperfocus on them. I want to suggest that we savour those moments, with as much gusto as we do for the less pleasant experiences- intentionally use your senses to slow down the moment- what does the laughter sound like, what does their hand in yours feel like? What can you smell in your child’s sweaty hair, or what does it feel like to be cuddled tightly? Stay with it for a few extra seconds. 

 Make the moments linger, savour them!