Here's something that might help you. My partner and I wrote two lists on my freezer door: The first one is a list of symptoms I experience when I get dysregulated, the second list contains self-care practices I do regularly that are calming. It's available for everyone to see who comes into my space. If they notice me going through one of the dysregulation symptoms, they can suggest I do one of the self-care practices. (While I'm dysregulated it's hard for me to know it or even think of ways to calm myself down.) The key is to practice the self-care activities regularly so your body associates the practice with the calming effects. If you only do it when dysregulated, your body might associate the activity with dysregulation, and it will no longer be effective.

Posted by Rob Cole at 2022-09-25 05:44:05 UTC