mending-together | 4 Elements

with Resources

4 Elements

This Resource is a combination of body awareness/grounding along with positive visualization. While it is divided into 4 steps (the elements), it also can be separated into 2 parts which serve different functions.

Grounding

Part 1 consists of EARTH, AIR, and WATER. These 3 elements are focused on connecting, soothing, and grounding the body through activation of the parasympathetic (Rest&Digest) nervous system. This by itself can help with movement away from negative experiences, but Part 2 takes it a step further in actually working to improve what is being experienced. Each does this by focusing on a different aspect of engaging this Rest&Digest system.

EARTH: Grounding, body awareness in the present, mindful awareness of the now
AIR: Breath, deep belly breathing in order to stimulate vagus nerve, slow, heart rate, sooth physiological activation, #Rest
WATER: Awareness of saliva glands or activation of early aspect of digestive system (ie. drinking, swallowing, chewing, sucking, ect.), signals further parasympathetic activation in order to prepare for recharging, #Digest

Resourcing

Part 2 is the FIRE element. This element is designed to help connect to positive experiences, sensations, emotions, or attributes. This can be done simply to assist in visualizing a Safe (Peaceful, Calming, Relaxing) Place, or it can be used to connect to other positive Resources/Attributes that might be helpful later in REprocessing negative experiences.

Give it a try!

Used together, EARTH, AIR, and WATER prepared the system to most effectively activate positive neural networks and form adaptive connections through engaging the Rest&Digest system while FIRE focuses on targeting a specific positive neural network to engage and stimulate.