Pets and nervous system regulation

When we live from and respond to life through a physiology of threat (fight/flight/freeze/shutdown), in situations that don’t warrant these responses, this is a sign that the body has unprocessed charge/protective responses.

There are two ways of helping your system to regulate when facing these moments. One is choosing activities you can do by yourself (think of your list of resources where you have activities you do alone) or finding a safe human or an animal (mammal) to co-regulate with.

Co-regulation is the ability that nervous systems have to sync in with other nervous systems.

Finding a safe human to co-regulate with can be tricky for many of us, especially for those who have a history of trauma.

Pets or other animals are a great alternative to co-regulate when there is no safe human close by. Or until you feel safe and more comfortable connecting with people.

Petting, playing or even sitting next to your pet, connecting with them, can help bring you back to homeostasis.