It sucks, but it will heal your Nervous System (trust me)

Central Message

Resume activities you’ve been avoiding while allowing symptoms to be present, rather than making symptom relief the goal in the moment. Shaan Kassam describes this as a way to teach the nervous system that sensations are not necessarily signs of danger.

Key Strategies

• Do avoided activities alongside symptoms. This might include driving, traveling, working, or giving a presentation. The goal isn’t to pretend symptoms aren’t there, but to avoid letting fear dictate whether you live your life.
• Don’t wait for a “good day.” Take action even when you don’t feel ready. Feeling better may follow continued engagement rather than come first.
• Allow sensations without trying to make them disappear. Repeatedly checking whether symptoms have gone away can turn “allowing” into another form of symptom control.
• Let go of doing recovery perfectly. Focus on your intention and how you respond in the present moment, rather than grading your technique or comparing yourself with yesterday.
• Don’t use symptoms as your measure of progress. Monitoring and judging how you feel can reinforce reassurance- and safety-seeking habits.
• Expect fluctuations. Symptoms may temporarily intensify or change as you resume activities, then subside later. Stay the course through spikes.
• Prioritize values and goals. Make the life you want to live more important than whether sensations are present.

Presenter

Shaan Kassam