Strategies for helping clients regulate their autonomic nervous system include:

  • Grounding Techniques: Encourage clients to use grounding exercises, such as focusing on their breath, feeling their feet on the ground, or using sensory objects, to promote a sense of safety and presence.
  • Social Engagement: Foster opportunities for clients to connect with others in safe environments. Encourage participation in supportive group activities or social gatherings.
  • Mindfulness and Relaxation: Teach mindfulness practices, such as meditation or gentle yoga that can help clients access the ventral vagal state and promote relaxation.
  • Body Awareness: Encourage clients to develop greater awareness of their physical sensations and emotional states, which can help them identify when they are moving into sympathetic or dorsal states and use coping strategies accordingly.