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I am upset - what now?
Emotional upset & physiology
Our bodies are hardwired to deal with upset. That's the job of our endocrine system, which takes charge on a moment's notice. Our hormonal balance shifts and neurotransmitters are released. Adrenalin charges through our body; blood drops out of our digestive system and into our brain and respiratory system; endorphins are released so we don't feel pain.
We go pale, we get red, we shake, our heartbeat increases, our belly hurts, our blood pressure rises, our palms get sweaty. We are on high alert, totally prepared for flight or fight.
It's not unhealthy to get upset, even alarmed on occasion. It's not unhealthy as long as our body has the opportunity to go back to a state of relative calm.
What to do, what to do
Here are four calming remedies that can help.
Move!
- When we're in flight or fight mode we are ready to rock ‘n roll. Whether flighting or fighting, we are moving. Beyond doubt, and as many studies have validated, movement is the most natural and healthy response to emotional and physiological distress.
- I'm not endorsing fighting, by the way. Run, walk, kick or punch a non-living thing, hop up and down, shake. Any of it helps. It not only helps the body return to a more relaxed state, it also helps deflect the potential of long-term trauma from a deeply upsetting event.
Breathe!
- Sometimes we don't have the privacy to move around. But we can focus on the breath. Return the breath to an even in and out rhythm. Four counts in, four counts out, till the breathing slows. Bring it down to six.
- Remember: It is not physiologically possible for the body to be in a state of upset while the breath is slow and calm.
After that...
- Use any of the tools in your toolbox marked soothing: Listen to music.
Repeat a mantra.
Take a bath.
Use self-hypnosis.
Take relaxing herbs. - Tinctures are best as they work fastest and bypass the digestive system. The oldest stand-by is the famous Bach Flower Rescue Remedy.
- It may not do the whole deal if your physiology is really up there, but it will definitely help. A relaxing tea is a support, but not enough for serious distress.
Rainforest herbs for upset
Mulungu, passionflower, and damiana are non-addictive calming herbs. They are safe, and they work.
No relaxing herb should be required on a day-in, day-out basis. If that's what's happening, it's probably time to take a look at options for life-style changes. That said, these are wonderful herbs, well deserving of recognition and they help soothe the central nervous system so our sympathetic nervous system can help us out of our tree.
OK, fine. We have a bunch of good ideas here for dealing with emotional upheaval and distress. But what if we don't recognize the signs? What if we do, but it just keeps coming?