Hello Iza,
A few years ago, Vic and I were in a scary car accident.
We were on our way to a friend's house, and a driver coming toward us made a mistake, turned right in front of us and we hit them head on.
We were both okay, thank God, we only had minor injuries. But I thought we were going to die, and when the airbags came out, the powder had this particular smell.
We both thought the car was on fire.
Years later, anytime I smell that smokiness, feel rubber grabbing the road, or hear metal on metal, I'm back at the moment right before impact.
That's how strong the connection is between our senses and our nervous system. The smell sense in particular can bring you back anywhere, fast.
It works in the positive direction too.
My office always had candles, twinkly lights, and lavender for my clients. When they carried that scent with them and breathed it in during distressing moments, they could tap right back into the calm they felt on my couch.
Your body remembers.
That's the idea behind a self-soothing toolkit, and it's what this week's episode is about:
- the difference between self-soothing and self-numbing (a couple of drinks and a tub of ice cream are the second one),
- how to build a stress relief toolkit that's ready before you need it,
- and why you and your partner should each know what soothes the other before one of you is in a mini crisis.
[Listen, watch, or read here]
And that's a wrap on our Best of The Terri Cole Show summer series. Brand new episodes start next week, and I cannot wait. |