Our nervous system functions are essential because it affects how we are physically and emotionally and how quickly we can bring ourselves back into balance after a shock or a triggering event. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of …
![Parenting Tips From A 10-Year-Old](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot-2021-03-15-at-15.14.29.png?fit=293%2C293&ssl=1)
Parenting Tips From A 10-Year-Old
This was totally unprompted, she had no idea what I was going to ask her. How amazing is it that the first thing she says is tone and softness of voice! This shows the impact of using a soothing tone …
![6 Research-Based Reasons Hugging is Good for You Research shows people who are hugged more have less severe illnesses Hugging can lower blood pressure Hugging can decrease your heart rate Hugging involves some deep pressure to the skin, which calms the autonomic nervous system (responsible for fight or flight) This deep pressure reduces the stress hormone cortisol During a hug, we release oxytocin (the bonding hormone) which reduces stress](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-2-1-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
6 Research-Based Reasons Hugging is Good for You
How long to hug for? Google says 20 seconds, but I couldn’t find any research to back that up. What is important is that you have the time YOU need to relax into the hug. If you are hugging a …
![Don’t focus on the behaviour; stay in the moment with empathy and focus on emotions Take the time to validate your partner, e.g. “That sounds really hard” or “You seem angry about that” Calmly mirror and accept the person’s feelings Provide warmth and responsiveness in times of stress Give them space to calm down when in conflict situations Take three deep breaths together when one person is dysregulated Use a warm, soft tone of voice Say soothing or reassuring things Light touch as reassurance Hold hands or make other physical contact Hug for over 2 minutes – this allows enough time for the nervous system to calm.](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-1-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
Techniques for Co-Regulation
Co-regulation is where one nervous system calms another. When you have a parent who is attuned to you and can regulate themselves, you are given the gift of co-regulation. Here the parent uses their voice, tone, body and nervous system …
![Why Co-Regulation is Important.](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/09_03_2021_Why-Co-Regulation-is-Important.-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
Why Co-Regulation is Important
Co-regulation is where one nervous system calms another. It happens when you have a caregiver who is attuned to you as a child. They can use their body, the tone and pitch of their voice, and their breath to anchor …
![THINKING OF LIMITING SCREEN TIME FOR YOURSELF?](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot-2021-03-09-at-18.03.06.png?fit=294%2C291&ssl=1)
Thinking Of Limiting Screen Time for Yourself?
We know too much screen time is not good for our kids in many ways, but are we applying the same standards to ourselves? Much research has been done on screen usage, which shows it affects our bodies, minds, and …
![Mad Angry upset irritated grouchy furious Sad Depressed, unhappy, gloomy, pessimistic, miserable Glad Happy, cheerful, content, elated, joyful Scared Afraid, anxious, fearful, panicked, shaken](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/07_03_2021_Mad-Sad-Glad-Scared-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
Four Basic Emotions: Mad, Sad, Glad and Scared
The incredible shame and vulnerability researcher Brene Brown talks about the benefits of getting to know our emotions and not blocking any of them out, including the ‘bad’ ones. She says when we block the negative emotions, we also block …
![Embracing Emotion Helps Our Relationships Get comfortable with the four basic emotions of mad, sad, glad and scared and build your repertoire from there. The power is in the pause Turn towards one another in conflict rather than away Being vulnerable takes courage – courageous people are vulnerable Discovering what is under the default emotions](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/06_03_2021_Embracing-Emotion-Helps-Our-Relationships-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
Embracing Emotion Helps Our Relationships
We are not taught how to deal with our emotions at school, so most of us are left to figure it out alone. When we get hurt, the tendency is to do one of three things: move away, move closer …
![The Lost Art of Eating and Connecting Deciding who will cook, set the table and do the dishes at the end – dividing up the tasks, so they are spread equitably through the family. Taking time to enjoy the cooking process – playing music, cooking as a couple or a family. No screens at the table – to facilitate connection and communication Taking time to ask each other about your day Going around the table and sharing something you enjoyed from the day, something you learned and something that was a problem. This can be a time to share important things to us or have a giggle as a family. When done regularly, eating and connecting as a family daily can be the glue that keeps the family connected.](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-4-scaled.jpg?fit=650%2C650&ssl=1)
The Lost Art of Eating and Connecting
I grew up eating my dinner with a tray on my lap in front of the TV watching Neighbours (an Ozzie TV show that we LOVED in the UK with Kylie Minogue ????). We were together as a family, but …
![Something to AVOID the Next Time You Are in An Argument. Jenny Nurick, Psychotherapist, siting in a chair, smiling, with head resting on her hand.](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.jennynurick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot-2021-03-04-at-13.26.04.png?fit=282%2C281&ssl=1)
Something to AVOID the Next Time You Are in An Argument
When we build up resentments in a relationship, it is common that they will come pouring out during an argument. You start with a complaint about how they leave their clothes on the floor, they become defensive, and to prove …