13. Nervous System Reset: Self-Care Strategies
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Release Date: 05/16/2024
35. Get Your Alignment Checked
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
The Importance of Alignment in Life Alignment in life is a fundamental aspect that significantly influences our overall well-being. When we refer to alignment, we mean the harmony between our values, beliefs, actions, and the people and situations we engage with. Achieving this alignment is crucial for maintaining peace, clarity, and authenticity in our lives. In this episode of Soul Wide Open, host Michelle Renee delves into the concept of alignment and what it truly means in our lives. Drawing an analogy between life and the alignment of a car, Michelle explores how being out of alignment...
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34. 5 Ways to Regulate When Your Nervous System Gets Hijacked
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your past… this one is for you. When confronted with a trauma response, one of the most effective strategies for regaining control and alleviating overwhelming emotions is to acknowledge and name your feelings. This process involves recognizing what is happening within you and articulating it, which can significantly diminish the emotional charge associated with those feelings. In this episode of Soul Wide Open, host Michelle Renee shares what really happens when something cracks open a wound from childhood and your nervous system gets hijacked. She...
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33. The Art of Unhiding: 3 Ways To Step Out of the Shadows and Live Fully
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Unhiding is a deeply personal journey that involves revealing your true self, both to yourself and to others. It is not about making bold statements or being loud; rather, it is a subtle and often quiet process of self-discovery and acceptance. In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, host Michelle Renee emphasizes that many people may not even realize they are hiding parts of themselves. This concealment can stem from various factors, including shame, fear of judgment, and past trauma. The act of unhiding involves confronting these hidden aspects and embracing them, which can be a...
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32. Collateral Damage: The Impact of the Kidnapping on Our Families (Part 2)
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
In this Soul Wide Open podcast episode, host Michelle Renee explores the profound impact of open communication and vulnerability on healing relationships, particularly in the context of trauma and family dynamics. She is joined by one of her daughter's kidnappers, Robert Ortiz, for this surprising, unfiltered look into accountability, amends, and a deep dive into uncommon compassion. Their discussions highlight several key aspects that underscore the necessity of these elements in fostering understanding and reconciliation. One of the most poignant moments in the episode occurs when...
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31. Uncommon Compassion: A Conversation with One of Our Kidnappers - Part 1
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
In this deeply moving episode of "Soul Wide Open," host Michelle Renee sits down with Robert Ortiz, the man who once broke into her home and held her and her daughter hostage. Together, they explore the profound journey of healing, focusing on the power of compassion and understanding in transforming their lives. The importance of compassion and understanding in the healing process, even after experiencing trauma and violence, is a central theme in the podcast episode featuring Michelle Renee and one of her and her daughters kidnappers, Robert Ortiz. Their conversation highlights how both...
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30. Ditch Your Expectations: The Silent Power of Being Present
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Join Michelle Renee in this inspiring episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast as she shares a transformative experience from a recent night out. Discover the power of listening to your inner voice and showing up for yourself and others, even when it feels like a whim. Michelle recounts a spontaneous decision to bring her camera to a local music event, which led to unexpected opportunities and meaningful connections. She emphasizes the importance of living life intentionally, embracing joy, and being open to the lessons that come from every interaction, no matter how fleeting. In this episode,...
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29. Rebuilding Self-Worth Through Love Languages
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Understanding and communicating your love language is essential for building meaningful relationships and ensuring that your emotional needs are met. In a recent podcast episode, Michelle Renee shares her personal journey of discovering the significance of love languages, particularly her own preference for words of affirmation. This exploration highlights several key points about the importance of love languages in fostering healthy connections with others. In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, Michelle shares a heartfelt reflection on the importance of love languages, particularly...
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28. Compliment or Manipulation: Love Bombing Unpacked
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Love bombing is a manipulative tactic often employed in romantic relationships, where one partner inundates the other with excessive affection and grand gestures early on. This behavior can be particularly confusing, as it may initially feel flattering and exciting. However, as discussed in the podcast episode, love bombing typically lacks a solid foundation or genuine connection, leading to a lack of emotional connectedness and confusion. In this episode of Soul Wide Open, host Michelle Renee dives into the intriguing concept of "love bombing." Familiar with the term yet not knowing what it...
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27. The Cycle of Fighting for Love: 5 Signs You're Still In It
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
Unpacking the Need for Validation in Relationships In this podcast episode, Michelle Renee explores the profound impact that childhood experiences have on adult relationship behaviors, particularly the tendency to fight for love rather than simply receive it. This theme is essential for anyone seeking to understand their relationship dynamics and the underlying reasons for their behaviors. Michelle shares her personal journey of recognizing how her upbringing in a highly dysfunctional and toxic environment shaped her beliefs about love and relationships. She delves into the complex...
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26. 'Never Look Back' is BS and Here's Why
Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee
The Mirror of Our Experiences and The Meaning We Give Them A key theme in the episode is using painful experiences as a mirror for self-reflection. Michelle describes a recent encounter with a new friend that triggered memories of being objectified in her youth. This moment served as a catalyst for her to revisit and process those past feelings. Instead of avoiding the discomfort or avoidant behavior in general, she chose to sit with it, leading to a deeper understanding of herself. This process of reflection is vital for personal growth, as it encourages individuals to confront their past...
info_outlineImportance of Regularly Resetting and Regulating the Nervous System
In a podcast episode, Michelle Rene stresses the critical importance of regularly resetting and regulating the nervous system for overall well-being. She shares personal experiences and techniques that have aided her in this aspect, highlighting the significance of being in tune with one's nervous system and recognizing when it needs to be reset.
1. Cold Therapy: Michelle mentions how ending her showers with cold water or taking ice baths helps slow down the body's systems, and promotes a healthy nervous systtem, among other benefits for the body. This practice of exposing the body to cold sensations aids in calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation.
2. Recognizing Warning Signs: Michelle discusses how certain behaviors, like becoming hyper-organized to an unhealthy extent, can serve as warning signs that the nervous system is being triggered. By being aware of these signs, individuals can take proactive steps to remove themselves from reactive environments and reset their nervous system.
3. Establishing Routines: Michelle highlights the importance of routines in creating a sense of safety and stability, which positively impacts the nervous system. Engaging in activities like meditation, exercise, and other comforting routines can help regulate the nervous system and promote overall well-being.
4. Setting Boundaries in Relationships: Michelle shares how setting boundaries in relationships is crucial for protecting the nervous system. Recognizing when certain relationships or environments cause negative physical reactions and taking steps to remove oneself from such situations is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system.
5. Pursuing Joyful Activities: Michelle encourages listeners to prioritize activities that bring joy and happiness, as these experiences can significantly impact nervous system regulation. Engaging in activities that bring joy, laughter, and fulfillment can help reset the nervous system and promote overall well-being.
6. Healthy Sleep Patterns: Michelle emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy sleep patterns by engaging in calming activities before bedtime. Watching or listening to positive content before sleep can contribute to a relaxed state and aid in regulating the nervous system during rest.
7. Evening Stretching Routine: Michelle suggests incorporating an evening stretching routine to release stress and tension from the body before bedtime. Stretching, accompanied by deep breathing and relaxation, can help prepare the body for rest and contribute to nervous system regulation.
In conclusion, the episode underscores the significance of regularly resetting and regulating the nervous system through various practices and self-awareness. By prioritizing activities that promote relaxation, joy, and stability, individuals can enhance their overall well-being and maintain a healthy nervous system.
Talking Points:
[00:01:16] Cold water for nervous system.
[00:04:26] Recognizing Warning Signs.
[00:10:20] Routine exercise preferences.
[00:13:21] Overcoming hiking challenges alone.
[00:20:26] Do what you love.
[00:21:52] Finding joy in childhood activities.
[00:25:38] Ways to alleviate stress.
Quotes:
"It's really important to recognize when that nervous system chaos is being activated and come up with a plan immediately, like in 10 minutes, I'm going to go remove myself from this environment and I'm going to reset my nervous system."
"Discover what does work for you because exercise and moving your body and remaining flexible and remaining in that state of sort of feeling vital, that vitality is really, really key."
"Why am I going to keep Putting myself through trying to get out there and do this by myself like I have something to prove to anybody, which I don't."
"Joy will help you regulate and reset your nervous system like nothing else will."
"One of the best ways to kind of alleviate all of that stress is just put on some really nice music and just spend 15 minutes just stretching your body out and taking deep breaths."
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