When we are in hypoarousal, our system begins to shut down. We might feel numb, disconnected, or start to dissociate. One of the best ways to support yourself in this state is to gently stimulate your senses and bring awareness …
Tag: familydynamics
Signs of Hypoarousal: Understanding Your Body’s Shutdown Response
Hypoarousal Hypoarousal is another defence mechanism. It can feel like exhaustion, numbness, disconnection from everything and everyone, or like you’re moving through a dream. You may want to sleep a lot, eat very little, and feel shut down or dissociated. …
Signs of Hyperarousal and Understanding Your Window of Tolerance
Signs of Hyperarousal Most of the time, we live within what’s called our Window of Tolerance — a safe range of arousal where we feel grounded, present, and able to self-regulate. In this state, the reasoning part of our brain …
Are You Betraying Yourself in Small Ways Every Day?
Little self-betrayals add up. Saying yes when you mean no. Pushing down your real needs. Forgetting to check in with yourself. We often think self-betrayal is only about the big moments. But it’s in the small choices where the patterns …
The Black Sheep: When a Child Carries the Weight of the Whole Family
Sometimes, when there are unresolved issues in a parental relationship, the focus shifts away from the adults and onto the child. Instead of facing the tension or conflict between them, parents may begin to over-focus on one child. The child’s …
Triangulation: When a Child Is Drawn Into Their Parents’ Conflict
When conflict exists between two adults — often parents — and remains unresolved in a healthy way, a child can be drawn into the tension. This is called triangulation. It typically begins with an unspoken or unresolved conflict in the …