During a recent training, someone asked me, “What’s the best regulation strategy for professionals?” My answer: “The one you’ll actually use in the middle of a busy day.”
Let’s be real – we need different tools for different moments. A full breathing practice might work before you start your day, but what about when a child is in full meltdown? That’s when we need our quick-access tools.
Here’s a peek into my professional regulation toolkit:
- During difficult moments: Box breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 4, inhale for 4, exhale for 4)
- When time allows: I park further away from my building so I have the downtime of walking upon my arrival and leaving work.
- For between sessions: bilateral stimulation – my favorite one is this:
“Cross your hands and bring your arms towards your shoulders. So, your left hand will be touching the upper part of your right arm and your right hand will be touching the upper part of your left arm. Begin tapping the palm of your hands and fingers back and forth. Alternate each tap from left to right.”
Your toolkit will look different, and that’s okay because you’re finding strategies that your body responds to. The key is having options that fit naturally into your day.
What tools are essential in your professional regulation toolkit? I’d love to hear what works for you.
