Explore how a healthy partner can soothe your nervous system. Discover what love should feel like versus what it shouldn't. Learn to distinguish between calm, nurturing relationships and those filled with anxiety. This conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the physical sensations that accompany genuine love.
A healthy relationship should calm the nervous system, promoting relaxation and emotional safety rather than inducing stress and anxiety.
Love must evoke positive physical sensations, such as warmth and comfort, differentiating genuine connections from those founded on chaos and unpredictability.
Deep dives
Understanding Healthy Relationships Through the Nervous System
A healthy relationship should provide emotional support that calms the nervous system, distinguishing it from relationships that induce stress and anxiety. Love should feel easy and freeing, as opposed to chaotic or tense, which can manifest physically in symptoms like elevated heart rates or stomach discomfort. In such supportive relationships, conversations are light, and there is a steadiness that fosters ease rather than a constant state of bracing for conflict. Recognizing these bodily responses helps individuals identify the types of relationships that genuinely nurture their well-being.
Indicators of a Supportive Partner
Several specific physical signs indicate whether a partner supports a healthy nervous system. A calm partner allows for steady breathing, relaxed muscles, and improved sleep, highlighting the difference between feeling energized by someone's presence versus feeling drained. Additionally, loving relationships should not create overwhelming emotional reactions characterized by tension or anxiety, but rather evoke positive feelings of warmth and comfort. Paying attention to these physiological cues can reveal the dynamics present in a relationship, guiding individuals toward partnerships that promote emotional safety.
Distinguishing Attraction from Dysregulation
It's essential to differentiate between attraction and the dysregulation of the nervous system, as many people mistakenly equate the two. Romantic feelings can often create a cycle of highs and lows, leading individuals to chase excitement rather than a stable connection, causing stress rather than fulfillment. A fulfilling relationship should not depend on the thrill of uncertainty or unpredictability; instead, it should foster a sense of safety and balance. Ultimately, love should feel like a deep exhale, bringing peace and balance rather than the chaos often associated with passion.
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Understanding Love Through the Lens of Our Nervous System
In this episode, talk about the effect a healthy partner has on your nervous system. I break down what love should and shouldn't feel like in your body.
My book, "That's Bold of you" is available on Amazon.
Instagram: @case.kenny
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