Dear One,

When our nervous system is chronically in shutdown or fight/flight, our system does all kinds of automated and pre-patterned things to approximate safety.

Among many other survival mechanisms, our fight/flight/shutdown brain ramps up this annoying thing: NEGATIVITY BIAS.

Negativity bias *helps* us imagine, scenario-plan, and physically/emotionally/mentally brace for all possible bad things. It's different from truth telling -- it's interpretive and leans towards worsts.

In spite of what some self-help memes might say, we often can't just think/talk/choose our way out of it. It's hard to generate #positivethoughts or #gratitude when your mind is busy anticipating the worst. So instead of expecting our negatively biased brain to soothe us from the inside out, we might need to soothe from the outside in.

Here are some things you could try.

1) Recognize the negativity bias. Call it out. Get to know its voice, quirks, belief patterns. Track it to discern how it's different from your truth and wisdom. Practice taking it with a grain of salt, to not believe every thought it generates. And explore appreciating the way this well-meaning survival response is trying to protect you by keeping your guard up.

2) Soothe from the outside in, rather inside out. Get curious about what soothes and nourishes you. Notice what has only temporary effects, and what has a longer soothing shelf life. Notice what induces a physical or energetic hangover, and what creates physical or energetic refueling. Notice what feels like a privileged luxury, and what feels like a human right.

Some inspiration:

a soothing yoga pose, movement, or other physical expression
a weighted blanket, warmth, comforting clothing, or coziness
focusing on lengthening your exhales
certain foods or beverages
authentic human connection
a welcome distraction

Ways to practice together: If you're looking for some group practices to help shift your nervous system state, keep reading below. You'll also find updates about yoga therapy, the BIPOC scholarship fund, and Alex's children's yoga book. Coming up next:

Flow & Restore bi-weekly series starts 2/13
Pandemic Partner Yoga happening 2/14

From my nervous system to yours,

~Alex

PS: If your system has the capacity for books right now, Buddha's Brain offers a pretty accessible getting-to-know-you of the nervous system. If you do the Instagram thing, let's connect at @alexbauermeisteryogatherapy. And for some music to help you ride the waves of this time, check out my public playlists on Spotify under abauermeister.