07/07/2026
We often think we need to do something big to feel better. But your nervous system is listening to your smallest experiences all day long.
Stopping to smell the flowers, walking in nature, humming, moving and shaking your body, giving yourself a self hug or sharing a hug with someone you love may seem simple, but each one sends your brain gentle messages of safety.
Nature is medicine, bringing calming sensory input. The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 practice helps you come back into your senses.
Five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste.
Humming creates a soothing vibration that supports the vagus nerve. Shaking helps the body release held survival energy. And hugs offer grounding, connection and the deep pressure the nervous system recognises as safe.
A nervous system does not always learn from quiet. It learns from play too, and from things that bring joy.
Joy for me is walking with Ava. It never feels like "I have to walk her". It is a joy to walk with her, being in the moment, watching her having fun, sniffing, running, chasing squirrels.
I don't listen to anything when I'm walking with Ava. I like to be in the moment. I do however use the .bird.id to help me identify the birds, really helpful on a recent walk around . 🌿
No 80's bangers, just bird song - who even am I 😉
