5 Steps to Find Your Inner Resource and Relieve Stress
Imagine a place of peace and security you can access anytime.
Your Inner Resource is your internal safe haven.
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Table of Contents
Understanding the Inner Resource
Discovering your Inner Resource can transform your approach to mindfulness and well-being. It's an integral part of iRest and can be implemented into any mindfulness practice for a happier and more peaceful life.
Join me as I guide you through understanding, creating, and using your Inner Resource.
Used alongside your Intention and Heartfelt Purpose, you will greatly impact your mental and emotional well-being. iRest provides research studies on this evidence-based practice.
More Than Just an Image
The Inner Resource is not just a comforting image; it's a felt sense of your body. It is ultimately about your ‘being' and ‘awareness,' independent of the visual or auditory aids you use to evoke it.
It is more than just a mental picture, a place you go to escape the present.
Although we start by using our senses to evoke images, the goal is to hone in on the sense of calm and safety that images create in our bodies.
My Experience
I had previously used visualization as an escape from my current reality. This did help me through some situations, but not in the long term.
With iRest, I moved beyond relying on images and connected with my sense of ‘being,' which calmed my nervous system.
This shift was crucial because the body remembers stress, like a fingerprint left on your nervous system.
That's why sometimes, even in a safe environment, you might experience anxiety—your body remembers past stressors and interprets it all as danger.
Integrating my felt sense of safety helped me begin reconditioning my body's response.
I still have some work to do, but I have come a long way in a short amount of time by utilizing the three Resolutions, iRest, and implementing other mindfulness habits.
How to Create Your Inner Resource
Step 1: List What Makes You Feel Secure, Safe, and Calm
Begin by creating a list of places, people, activities, and objects that create feelings of safety, security, and well-being in your life.
My List
Many nature scenes provoke a sense of safety and calm for me, and images of people, both fictional characters and real, create a calming presence.
I listed all the scenes and people before I moved on to the next step.
Create a list that creates a safe, calm space for you.
Step 2: Pick the Strongest One
After making your list, choose one element that resonates the most with you. This should be something which produces the biggest charge of safety.
Add as many sensory details as possible—what you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste when you engage with this element. The more details, the more vivid your Inner Resource will be.
I will walk you through my personal process of finding my Inner Resource that I use daily.
Using the 5 Senses to Find My Calm Place.
I grew up on the shores of Lake Huron. Being near any one of the Great Lakes provides a sense of calm for me.
The image that gives me the most charge of positivity and a sense of safety is the beach at Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.
The scene: I am sitting on the beach with the lighthouse behind me on a partially sunny day. The waves washing over the rocky shore. The sky is the bluest of sky blues with the whitest of white clouds.
Hear: I hear the waves washing up on the shore and the occasional seagull flying overhead. The tall grasses move lightly as the breeze catches them.
Touch: My toes are snuggled in the sand like a warm hug. The sweatshirt I always wear is soft and protects me from the chill of the breeze.
Although my body is guarded from the breeze, it mildly sweeps my face and hair.
Smell: The muskiness of the nearby forest and the minerals in the water.
If I were actually at the lake, there would be a good chance I would smell fish. I am leaving that smelly tidbit out of my visualization. Haha! But if rotten fish brings you peace- I’m not judging.
Taste: There is an earthy taste in the breeze.
Close your eyes and connect to what brings you the biggest charge of calm and safety using your senses.
Unlock 15 mindfulness exercises you can easily fit into your daily schedule with this free workbook.
Step 3: Locate the Felt Sense in Your Body
After identifying your Inner Resource, the next step is tuning into how it feels in your body.
Where do you feel a sense of safety or peace?
Is it in your chest, your stomach, or perhaps your shoulders?
Try to locate this sensation.
Describe it—is it warm, cool, tingly, or perhaps expansive?
By locating and describing this felt sense, you connect more deeply with your Inner Resource, making it easier to access in your daily life.
This infographic gives examples of 9 common ways calm and safety are sensed in the body. You may have a totally different experience. There are no wrong answers. The information only serves as a guide. You may identify different ways you sense calm and safety in your body.
Step 4: Integrate Your Inner Resource into Your Daily Life
Once you have built a strong, vivid Inner Resource, the next step is to integrate your Inner Resource into your daily life. Create “triggers” or reminders throughout your day to prompt tuning in.
You can try setting a phone reminder or tying the practice to daily activities like having a meal or showering. Practice using your Inner Resource little and often throughout the day to learn to call on it anytime and in any situation.
Step 5: Review and Update
Remember, your Inner Resource evolves. Keeping a journal helps you track what you notice as you practice. Perhaps there is something that provokes a calmer experience than previously noted.
By adhering to these guidelines, you'll cultivate peacefulness. It grants you tranquility and safety and evolves with your shifting emotions and life situations.
The sensory details have changed since I first began my journey. The more details I add, the more I can connect to the felt sense of peace and safety.
When to Turn to Your Inner Resource
Tune in little and often. Practicing before you are faced with overwhelming emotions or stressful situations will prepare you for those situations where intense emotions are present.
Your Inner Resource is more than a tool; it's a sanctuary for your mind and body. Practice little and often throughout the day to learn to call on your felt sense of peace and safety anytime and in any situation.
For an additional resource in exploring emotions, you can use this free download. For the full workbook and other resources, visit The Mindful Neuro store.
Unlock 15 mindfulness exercises you can easily fit into your daily schedule with this free workbook.
Have you tried creating your Inner Resource? Share your experience!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an Inner Resource?
Your Inner Resource is your personal sanctuary of peace and safety. It's a crucial component of iRest mindfulness practices. It is designed to provide mental and emotional well-being.
Is an Inner Resource Just a Mental Picture?
No, it goes beyond a mere image. The Inner Resource involves a multi-sensory experience that encapsulates not just what you see but also what you feel, hear, smell, and even taste. It's about your overall sense of ‘being.'
How Do I Create My Inner Resource?
Start by listing things that stir up feelings of safety, calm, and well-being. Pick the strongest element from your list and flesh out the sensory details.
How Do I Integrate My Inner Resource Into Daily Life?
Set up triggers or reminders to connect with your Inner Resource throughout the day. It could be something as simple as a notification on your phone.
Can My Inner Resource Change Over Time?
Absolutely. As you grow and evolve, so should your Inner Resource. It's advisable to keep a journal tracking any new elements to enhance your experience.
When Should I Use My Inner Resource?
Turn to your Inner Resource when you're facing challenging emotions or situations. It's a quick way to regain calm and tackle issues more effectively.
Where Can I Find More Tools for Mindfulness?
Check out The Mindful Neuro store for additional mindfulness training programs.
How Can I Share My Experience?
You're encouraged to share your journey in creating and using your Inner Resource. It's a way to deepen your practice and help others as well. Follow The Mindful Neuro on Facebook for daily encouragement and to share your experiences.
Do You Offer Mindfulness Teaching?
Yes, we provide services aimed at enhancing your mindfulness techniques, including iRest.
Continuing the Journey
Join a Supportive Mindfulness Community
Join my private TMN Facebook Group, a community just for women like you, where we talk about:
- Overcoming Mindfulness Challenges: Discover strategies to manage overwhelm and stay grounded, even on your busiest days.
- Mindfulness for Neurodiverse Women and Children: Explore tailored exercises that honor your unique way of experiencing the world.
- Practical Mindfulness for Busy Minds and Lifestyles: Share and learn practical tips that make mindfulness an effortless part of your day.
In the TMN Community, you'll find support, inspiration, and a wealth of resources to help you be more present and foster deeper connections with yourself and those around you. It's a space for growth, learning, and sharing the mindful journey with others who understand the hustle of everyday life.
So, if you're eager to expand your mindfulness practice and find even more ways to stay connected, join me in the group. When you join, you will receive a free Mindfulness Tracker to help you discover which mindfulness activities work best for you.
Together, we'll explore how each moment can be an opportunity to be present and how every mindful practice, no matter how small, enriches our lives.
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