Elizabeth
Smiling, she nodded her head encouragingly. "That's perfect." For someone as practical and analytical as Maea, it was important to be able to trend such intangible reactions, to prove that the methods actually worked.
Elizabeth tucked her legs back under her, resuming the same position as before while she answered Maea's question. "Not always. It takes practice, and it can't bring a ten (like being in full freeze mode) down to a one. It can maybe bring an eight to a more manageable five, to help keep the thoughts at bay." In other words, it wasn't a magical cure or solution, just a means to rein in the out-of-control emotions.
Not wanting the Ancient to misunderstand, she made sure to explain the downsides of the exercise. "The other issue is that you can't always sit and take the time to do this in the middle of an argument or confrontation - but you can modify it to make it work for you." Holding out her hand, she demonstrated as she spoke. "For example, if you notice that you hold most of your strain in your shoulders or hands, when you start to feel the panic building, take a moment to tense those muscles and release them a few times, letting go of the anxiety with each relaxation." Her hand balled into a tight fist, her skin blanching lightly with the pressure before she released it, repeating the process once more for emphasis.
Elizabeth replaced her hand on her mug as she focused more on the other half of the experience. "You can also take a moment and ground yourself. Take a few deep breaths while focusing on five things you can sense around you. The smell of firewood, the warmth of the flames, the sound of wind against the wall, the taste of tea on your tongue, the feel of your feet anchoring you to the floor. All of this helps you to remain present and in your body." Especially for someone who dissociates, it could be particularly helpful to keep that mind-body connection intact.
Elizabeth tucked her legs back under her, resuming the same position as before while she answered Maea's question. "Not always. It takes practice, and it can't bring a ten (like being in full freeze mode) down to a one. It can maybe bring an eight to a more manageable five, to help keep the thoughts at bay." In other words, it wasn't a magical cure or solution, just a means to rein in the out-of-control emotions.
Not wanting the Ancient to misunderstand, she made sure to explain the downsides of the exercise. "The other issue is that you can't always sit and take the time to do this in the middle of an argument or confrontation - but you can modify it to make it work for you." Holding out her hand, she demonstrated as she spoke. "For example, if you notice that you hold most of your strain in your shoulders or hands, when you start to feel the panic building, take a moment to tense those muscles and release them a few times, letting go of the anxiety with each relaxation." Her hand balled into a tight fist, her skin blanching lightly with the pressure before she released it, repeating the process once more for emphasis.
Elizabeth replaced her hand on her mug as she focused more on the other half of the experience. "You can also take a moment and ground yourself. Take a few deep breaths while focusing on five things you can sense around you. The smell of firewood, the warmth of the flames, the sound of wind against the wall, the taste of tea on your tongue, the feel of your feet anchoring you to the floor. All of this helps you to remain present and in your body." Especially for someone who dissociates, it could be particularly helpful to keep that mind-body connection intact.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
