Embracing Inner Safety – Building a Foundation for Alignment
Hello Friends,
I’m excited to dive into today’s topic—it’s a big one, and it’s foundational to so much of our growth and well-being.
What do you do when you’re feeling anxious? Frustrated? Generally upset?
Without judgment, can you notice if your go-to response is to scroll on your phone, get lost in a Netflix binge, indulge in comforting snacks, reach out to a friend, or maybe go for a run?
None of these strategies are inherently “bad.” In fact, they all have their place. But often, our reliance on them is out of balance. Many of us instinctively try to dull or escape uncomfortable emotions with these tools because we’ve never been taught how to sit with or process them. For some of us, our bodies may not even feel like safe spaces to be. This can be especially true if we experience anxiety, depression, or have experienced trauma. Without realizing it, we outsource our sense of safety to external tools or relationships instead of cultivating it within ourselves.
Even those of us who’ve learned mindfulness tools, and techniques to calm our nervous systems might inadvertently use them as an escape. Reaching for these tools can feel safer and easier in the short term, providing temporary relief from discomfort. But as Gabor Maté wisely says, “It’s not about feeling better; it’s about getting better at feeling.”
Mindfulness and somatic practices are not meant to bypass our emotions. They’re meant to help us expand our capacity to feel them. When we can hold space for uncomfortable emotions, we can get curious about what they’re trying to tell us. By exploring their messages, we can allow the emotional experience to reach completion and release it, instead of suppressing it and carrying it in our bodies. (Hello, inflammation, reactivity, and feeling on edge.)
When we shift the way we relate to our emotions, we naturally start to respond differently. And when we respond differently, we begin to break patterns.
This is why mindfulness tools and somatic practices work best together. Try as we might, change rarely comes from just thinking our way through challenges—especially when that change feels unsafe in our bodies. Building safety from within is essential to creating lasting transformation and alignment in our lives.
Here are a few practices I’ve found helpful for cultivating inner safety:
Breathwork – Starting with a slow inhale through our nose, and focusing on an even slower extended exhale through our mouth, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping us move back into a calm, rest-and-digest state.
Cold exposure – Small, temporary, controlled stressors like a cold plunge, an ice bath (even just for our hands), or a cold shower, train the body to handle discomfort while building resilience to stress over time. (Tip: Pair this with breathwork to regulate through the experience.)
Shaking it out – Shaking is one of the body’s natural mechanisms for releasing survival energy generated by anxiety and stress. Try this: Inhale while lifting your arms and rising onto your toes, then exhale as you drop your arms and heels down, shaking your body as you land.
Yoga– Practices like restorative yoga, yin yoga, or gentle flow sequences can help calm the nervous system, release tension, and connect you to your body. Focusing on slow, mindful movements and deep, steady breaths can increase awareness of how emotions show up in your body and create a sense of safety within.
Somatic Writing or Journaling – Writing about your emotions as you feel them in your body can help you process them in real time. For example, instead of saying “I feel stressed,” you might write, “My chest feels tight, and my stomach is unsettled.” Naming physical sensations can often reduce their intensity, allowing you to feel more grounded. This practice builds a bridge between your mind and body, fostering clarity and inner safety.
As you explore these practices, go slowly. If you’re carrying a lot of tension or trauma, diving in too quickly can feel overwhelming or even re-traumatizing. The goal isn’t to overdo it, but to gently begin reconnecting with your body as a safe space.
When we create safety within, we’re no longer reliant on external circumstances to feel secure. This shift opens the door to a life that feels more aligned and rooted in our own inner stability.
Building safety within is a process, one step at a time. Every moment you spend connecting with your body and emotions is an act of self-compassion and care. Over time, this practice helps you feel grounded, resilient, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.
You are your safest place. Trust the journey—it’s leading you home to yourself.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Christina
