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Cultivating Inner Safety: Regulating My Nervous System as I Grow
- Jennifer Shlomovich
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Today is Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge I am doing for the month of April. Yesterday I shared how I am stepping into my next level. I am focusing more on intentionality, boundaries, and consistency. You can check out that post here. Another part of this work is staying grounded, which requires regulating my nervous system. I felt like sharing more about this today.
Last month during a therapy session I realized my nervous system is dysregulated. As I am stepping into this newer version of myself, there is a part of me that is having an inner freakout. The upgraded version of me is feeling bold and excited about creating and sharing my ideas. The older version of me is like "Wait! what? This is NOT how we operate! Who do you think you are?" It is this constant tug-of-war I am experiencing internally that makes showing up consistently more of a struggle. I am working on cultivating inner-safety so I can show up more fully as the version of myself I am becoming. For a good portion of my life I didn't have emotionally safe environments. Now that I am in an environment that is emotionally safe, the rest of me still needs to catch up.
How does one help their nervous system do this? From my experiences it has been a process including therapy and coaching. Also, journaling, meditating, listening to music, movement, yoga, and walking in nature have helped me regulate my nervous system more. Committing to veganism 9 years ago has also had a healing impact on me. No longer consuming the energy of suffering helped me connect more to the world and myself in ways I hadn't imagined it would.
Feeling overwhelmed and dysregulated? Here are some tools that can help you cultivate inner-safety and and feel more grounded.
Journaling: Journaling has been a lifesaver for me. It has helped me cultivate an deeper sense of awareness and self-connection. Here are some journal prompts that can help you get started.
What am I feeling right now—and can I name it without judgment?
What triggered this feeling, and what might it be trying to show me?
Is this feeling familiar? When have I felt this before?
What would it look like to allow this feeling instead of resist it?
What feels overwhelming right now? Can I break it into smaller pieces?
What is actually within my control in this moment?
What can I release, even just for today?
What would “enough” look like today?
What is one small decision I can trust myself to make today?
When have I successfully navigated something difficult before?
What does my inner voice sound like when it’s calm and supportive?
What would it feel like to trust myself, even just a little more?
What routines or practices help me feel grounded?
Who or what in my life feels like an anchor right now?
What does being “rooted” feel like in my body?
If I imagined myself as something grounded (like a tree, ocean, mountain), what would I be and why?
Kirtan Music: Kirtan music is a form of devotional, call-and-response chanting that comes from the Bhakti yoga tradition in India. It typically involves singing simple, repetitive mantras—often in Sanskrit—led by one person and echoed by a group, accompanied by instruments like the harmonium, drums, and cymbals. The purpose of kirtan isn’t performance, but connection—helping quiet the mind, regulate the nervous system, and create a sense of unity, presence, and inner peace. Many people experience it as both meditative and uplifting, allowing them to feel more grounded and connected to themselves and others.
The music of Krishna Das has become a big part of my healing practice about two years ago. His music can soothe me when I am at my busiest. When I don't have time to stop and rest. Listening to his music while I am driving all over the place or stressed out with a busy day at work can help soothe me and feel grounded in those moments. I went with my son to see him perform in NYC in November 2024. It was a beautiful experience!
Krishna Das has many videos on his YouTube channel. Here is one to check out.
Qigong: Qigong is a gentle, meditative movement practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that combines slow, flowing movements, breathwork, and focused awareness. The word “Qi” refers to life force energy, and “Gong” means cultivation or practice—so Qigong is essentially the practice of cultivating and balancing your energy. It’s designed to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being by helping the body relax, the mind become more present, and the nervous system regulate.
Many people experience Qigong as a grounding, calming practice that promotes a deeper connection between body, breath, and inner awareness.
I tried Qigong out a few years ago and felt it's calming effects immediately. I then forgot all about it until this week. Steven Washington is how I discovered this work back then and this week I have gone back to it. I can't believe I didn't stick with Qigong when I first discovered it back then. Perhaps, it is what I need more of for this next level of growth I am experiencing.
Here is a video I watched this morning. The movements were instantly soothing and energizing for me.
I also want to emphasize the importance of therapy. I have had a therapist on and off over the past 16 years. August last year I discovered I needed to go back to therapy. I'm so glad I did!
What are your tips for cultivating inner-safety and maintaining a grounded state? Let me know in the comments.
Jennifer Shlomovich is a Plant-Powered Lifestyle-Educator on a mission to help others improve their health by eating more plants. Jennifer is also passionate about educating others about the realities of animal agriculture and how embodying a vegan lifestyle is a beautiful experience. As the only vegan in her household, she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to stay true to your values when the people around you aren’t on the same path. For years, she put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own, but through her journey, she discovered the power of setting boundaries, living by her values, and confidently prioritizing her well-being. On her YouTube channel, The Confident Vegan, she shares inspiring interviews, practical tips, and empowering conversations about what it really means to live in alignment with your values. She is also the co-host of That Vegan Morning Show with Kimberly Winters of the Did You Bring The Hummus podcast.
Thank you for sharing this. There are some great ideas here. I can relate to that feeling of things shifting internally and learning how to find a sense of calm and balance again. It’s a process, but it sounds like you’re finding what works for you along the way.
The things that help me feel grounded are journaling, walking, listening to music, (some of my favorites are classical music, David Lanz, and nature sounds), meditation, and yoga.