Oct 31, 2024
🎧 Clinicians Corner on Nervous System Regulation in Food Addiction Recovery 🎧
💡 Top Insights
A Broader Mission: Clinicians Corner is here to spread
practical interventions from food addiction recovery and empower
both clinicians and non-clinicians, like recovery coaches, with
actionable tools.
🧠 Nervous System Basics
Fight, Flight, Freeze: Key states that influence our
actions. Understanding and moving between sympathetic (stress) and
parasympathetic (calm) states can change how we respond to
cravings.
Body-Brain Connection: 80% of body-to-brain communication
underscores how physical sensations impact recovery. Think of the
body as the “horse,” guiding the brain’s “rider.”
🛠️ Practical Tools for Regulation
Sigh It Out: Deep breaths and the “physiological sigh” (two
quick inhales, one long exhale) reset the body in moments of
overwhelm.
Simple Movements: Light stretching, progressive muscle
relaxation, and finger movements help release pent-up
energy.
Grounding Senses: Engage your environment with the
5-4-3-2-1 technique (seeing, touching, hearing, smelling, tasting).
Scents like lavender or your favorite aromas can bring a sense of
peace.
📅 Daily Pre-Meal Practices
Mini-Rituals: Brief walks, calming music, or being near
nature before meals can ease digestion and reduce
cravings.
Self-Compassionate Touch: Hugging yourself or placing a
hand on your chest for a few seconds promotes calm, especially if
you’re working through complex emotions or past
trauma.
🌿 Why Nervous System Care Matters
Healing from Trauma: Trauma often results in hypervigilance
or emotional collapse. Recognizing these responses in yourself and
practicing grounding tools helps create safety from
within.
Community & Co-Regulation: Group settings, supportive
peers, and even animals can offer regulatory “energy” and mirror a
sense of calm for those struggling with addiction
recovery.
🎯 Remember
Consistency, not perfection, is key! Practicing these tools
regularly makes it easier to access them during high-stress
moments. We invite you to share your topic suggestions with us!
Please email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com.
The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.
Connect with Molly and Clarissa
Website: https://www.sweetsobriety.ca
Email: Info@sweetsobriety.ca