This is Gold. As someone who has struggled with 15 years of debilitating chronic fatigue and recently diagnosed with dysautonomia/orthostatic intolerance; and having exhausted all possible testing with multiple holistic practitioners; so much boils down to nervous system dysregulation/stuck trauma. Unrefreshing sleep has been a hallmark symptom driving me to despair many times. Feeling some hope that there may be a way out.
@samanthabronson593 жыл бұрын
Lorraine, I am I a similar boat. I hope you’ve found healing and ways to get unstuck.
@andybreedlove10 ай бұрын
How have you guys got on? 😵💫
@GoldenBegonia4 жыл бұрын
It's so interesting how you described the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" quality (and no, I actually haven't seen "Star Wars", but I guess I get the general idea ;) ) It's actually something that I always feel emanating from you when I watch your videos - this stable, grounded, understanding energy, strong and safe at the same time. No fake sweetness, forced calm or unnatural tone of voice that many people involved in the "healing business" seem to have, with their invented trained personas or facades with a whole lot of cracks behind them. It actually fascinates me, because I'm not sure if there's ever been anyone with your kind of presence among my friends or family. When I was younger I used to think that it's probably something that the rare lucky ones are born with, whereas I came to this world with a painful propensity for scattered, reactive, disarrayed emotionality. But of course, ever since I started my healing journey, I've realized how many factors are at play. That's why I want to sincerely thank you for your willingness to share all your knowledge with us, Irene. When I discovered your work last year I realized that I found a missing link, I had never felt so seen and heard before. As if I got a higher permission not to feel like a human mistake, but to trust myself and the process instead. Which is, I believe, of key importance when it comes to healing. It has brought an incredible sense of relief, self-compassion and empowerment to me. I can't afford therapy right now and my trauma-related issues don't really meet with understanding from those close to me. But the sheer consciousness that there's some deeper order and wisdom to the things I experience (not as a fluffy new-agey slogan, but in a very visceral fundamental way) makes me feel less alone and more hopeful.
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi GoldenBegonia, Seth here from Team Lyon. Thanks so much for sharing this, that's really lovely 🧡
@akapatience55712 жыл бұрын
Ah, ha! Finally someone else who's never seen Star Wars!
@rainbowishify3 жыл бұрын
Yes yes yes to all of this AND don't underestimate the impact of caffeine. Even if you think it "doesn't affect you much." That's what I thought, and just thought I was a "bad sleeper." I find even in small amounts, when I have it I get the exact thing described in the video, tired body/revved mind, and without it, along with a few other sleep hygiene practices, I can actually fall asleep at a normal time and sleep well.
@mariannegiblin13284 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your clarity! I have/had many "diagnoses." Beneath most of the chronic labels is CPTSD dysregulation. Some acupuncturists (not all) know how to level it out when I get triggered. Long term lifestyle changes are less expensive.:)
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Marianne, Seth here from Team Lyon. Thanks for being here! You are right that long term lifestlye changes are very important and can better create lasting change. You might want to check out Irene's 21 Day Tuneup, which is affordable (probably the cost of around 3 or 4 acupuncture sessions depending on the provider) and is all about introducing you to the education, tools, and supportive community necessary to help with changing our relationship to both ourselves and the world around us in real ways that stick; it's about a lifestyle change! irenelyon.com/tuneup/
@mariannegiblin13282 жыл бұрын
@Lauren E. De Vico What do you have in mind?
@scotscub764 жыл бұрын
I withdrew from an anti depressant in 2007 too quickly. I still live with the awful physical symptoms to this day. The doctors call it M.E / CFS but I call it protracted withdrawal. I have tried lots of things but feel my nervous system is damaged permanently. The only thing which helps is mindfullness meditation 2 hours a day. I still don't sleep more than 5 hrs if I've over done it. On the nights I manage 8 hours I get a glimpse of how much better my life is but it never lasts. It's utterly soul destroying. I haven't tried somatic stuff as I'm so wiped out with the disappointment of never healing.
@cassieopia5324 жыл бұрын
I was poly drugged for years. I'm off all but one med, which I'm still trying to taper. It has worsened my already fragile nervous system, and triggered weird diseases so I can relate. Given enough time and work, hopefully, we can all heal.
@kristinhanna78984 жыл бұрын
D Fine, I took a multitude of depression, sleep, and anxiety medications for decades. I weaned myself slowly over the course of several years. I now have similar issues as you (but probably not CFS), but no diagnosis because I lack trust for doctors anymore. I started somatic integration therapy last November, after reaching out to Irene Lyon’s husband, Max, who gave me a list of somatic practitioners in my area. I’m on his waiting list, and hope to see him soon. The local practitioner I selected doesn’t do talk therapy, but does this special hands-on technique that engages the nervous system. It’s amazing. I saw her about five times. Unfortunately, with the quarantine, I’ve had to stop seeing her. But for me, I’m certain the answer lies in somatic integration. It’s a long process, and there is no pill for it. I hope I can soon see my somatic practitioner again-or hopefully Max Lyon. Meanwhile, I’m learning to relax my system. It’s a process of allowing. I long for a night where I can sleep more than a few hours at a time...there’s so much trauma stored in my body. I’m sending you thoughts and prayers for a peaceful healthy sleep tonight and always. We aren’t alone, and that’s for sure. Remember, it’s a process of allowing.
@scotscub764 жыл бұрын
@@kristinhanna7898 thanks so much for your reply that means a lot.
@scotscub764 жыл бұрын
@@cassieopia532 yes I think I will actually try somatic healing next. Thanks for your reply.
@Daniel-pr4uk4 жыл бұрын
Somatic integration and healing of nervous system dysregulation (as taught by Irene) is most likely your best bet. And two other resources that have been profoundly helpful to me are - one, to learn how not to be completely immeresed in thought and to have access to the dimension of stillness underneath the incessant mental activity. For that I found that the book 'the power of now' by Eckhart Tolle has been life changing. He also has another audio piece called 'gateways to living in the now' where he shows you very clearly and practically the three gateways you can use at any moment to step out of the mental activity and into reality (and interestingly enough, one of the gateways is feeling the inner body, which ties in very neatly with Irene's nervous system work). And the other resource that has been profoundly helpful to me is the work of Jeff Foster and Matt Licata. They are not fully somatic therapists themselves (though they very strongly encourage it and put a very strong emphasis on it), but they have incredibly beautiful and very touching writings that are very very helpful with learning to relax, to truly love and have compassion and care for oneself (which seems to be the prerequisite for any meaningful change), not just as a nice idea, but truly how to slow down, waaaaay down, and connect to our deepest essence and our authentic heart (beyond all the cynicism and defense strategies we have developed), which is the source of all healing... Good luck!
@kalayne67134 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this. I was blown away when I first learnt of the Polyvagal Theory...it just makes so much sense. Having spent decades with insomnia, which ramped up even more due to major surgeries and the terrors of the bushfires here in Australia, I am now doing body work for the first time in my life and have found a guided meditation on Insight Timer that works for me. But Irene touched on the fact that we are all unique, what works for me may never work for you. Of course, the medical model doesn't do this, it's far too expensive to treat us all individually so medical professionals rely on studies to treat the most people. Heaven help you if you are an outlier, which actually, we all are.Thanks Irene for encouraging us to believe and ease into healing.
@MrLattepig4 жыл бұрын
Irene, you mentioned that people with chronic fatigue might not want to hear that exercise, getting the body tired out, is good for sleep. Is it good for a person with chronic fatigue to push themselves beyond their feelings of deep exhaustion, if they can, for the sake of tiring the body out for sleep, or does it put more stress on an already overwhelmed system, making such efforts counterproductive?
@karmachow4 жыл бұрын
agreed. I have chronic fatigue and I can't exhaust my body in this way. It's more stressful on the system
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Kathy, Seth here from Team Lyon. Great question! In a case where chronic fatigue is involved it's a more delicate dance. Yes, exercise is still very important, in fact especially so, because it's part of slowly getting those cortisol and adrenaline levels back to their proper function. SLOWLY being the key word there, because yes, you also do not want to pushover threshold and overwhelm your system. So it is about finding that balance, so you can get to your edge, but not push over it. When one does this consistently over time, especially in the context of good somatic trauma work, the capacity builds.
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
@@karmachow - please see my answer to Kathy. And thanks for being here!
@MrLattepig4 жыл бұрын
@@teamlyon3109 This is helpful. Thank you!
@laisa.4 жыл бұрын
Hi, I had ME/CFS for over 6 years. Recovered in 2014. Now struggling panic disorder with nocturnal panic and almost no sleep whereas CFS made me sleep too much. It's a very different world.. HOWEVER what I see now is that anxiety was actually a part of my CFS. I was very worried about how I could get better. What I will say is that even if CFS is not a mental condition- your mental health will (most likely) still suffer from it. So getting therapy (preferrably metacognitive) could help lift some of the worrying which in turn may free up some energy spent on anxious/depressive thoughts. We don't need all the worrying on top. By the way, I recovered by starting 5:2 (intermittent fasting). If it helps someone else recover - try it. In 2 weeks I was on a mountain skiing (at sliw pace but still bubbling with new energy). I am glad I didn't know what would happen some years later. Now I can hardly walk some days because of jelly legs and sleep 2-3 hours. Well, I wish you the best! 🌼
@timohammond4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Irene. Excellent work
@krystalcutrubus92644 жыл бұрын
Thank you Irene! I can't wait to take the 21 day course. I love your style! Also LOVE that you talked about Edgar Cayce♥️
@a.k.311011 ай бұрын
Thank you. I'm experiencing pain in both feet and one hip. I used to go Nordic walking three times a week and hiking two times. Now I'm recognizing my sleep getting not that restful like I made it with all that movement outside. It's a downwards spiral. I m going to find some exercise I can do with plantar fasciitis and hip arthrosis. I get stiff and sore and grumpy and exhausted from that pausing.
@a.k.311011 ай бұрын
And the constant pain.
@IreneLyon11 ай бұрын
Pain can definitely limit movement, and movement helps sleep. Introducing even gentle movement can be quite helpful in staying active and supporting sleep. -Mara with Team Lyon.
@a.k.311011 ай бұрын
@@IreneLyon Thank you Mara, I will shorten the forest hikes, wear my well cushioned sports shoes and stretch the shortened tendons gently to relieve the pain. And maybe I'm finding a very gentle yoga video, maybe Yin yoga and Yoga nidra. Being on my feet really hurts.
@freisein65544 жыл бұрын
Yes, the bottom-up approach is needed ,...not the other other way around.
@socladriana4 жыл бұрын
Question: my system goes into "Alarm mode" when hungry. actually, my sleep can be very much determined by how full my belly is and what type of food I ate. is this related to early experiences of hunger or is the relationship a more complex one?
@leileleileleile3 жыл бұрын
I have/had a similar experience for the past 4-5 years. For me, at least, it was related to restrictive eating disorder recovery, but more deeply than that, experiences of hunger as a kiddo at night (a memory resurfaced for me of being a baby in a crib, hungry and crying and no one was coming to help me!). Care and compassion toward the young one in me that equates being hungry and danger! was helpful for me.
@carolhilton13714 жыл бұрын
First off, thank you Irene for helping the collective to heal! I would like to know your thoughts on the possibility of having nervous system breakdown vs. Narcolespy with cataplexy( aka loss of orexin )? And if N1 is just a symptom of early wiring, can the brain heal from it and resume natural functioning?
@adeleclarke69104 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this - however how do I deal with another problem - where I can fall asleep easily but I wake after 3-4 hours sleep and struggle to get back to sleep again? thanks
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Adele Clarke, Jen here from Team Lyon. You're not alone in this experience! Irene has a video about "Why you're waking up in a panic attack". That may not be exactly what's happening to you, and you may find some related info in there so I"ll link to it. Generally speaking, growing underlying nervous system usually helps to shift this sleep pattern over time. Irene teaches this in her online programs so I'll link to her starter program too in case you want to check it out. Why I'm waking up in a panic attack: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn20gJyvjLGWfs0 The 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up: 21daytuneup.com/.
@mungbean66933 жыл бұрын
Hi Irene, so glad to have been recommended to your work. I experience being jerked awake every time I start to fall asleep. It's been like this for a year now even after drastically changing my diet. And it happened after years of stress, which all built-up over time. Would your method help me? And has anyone else had this disorder? Thank you!
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
Hi Mung Bean, Jen here from Irene's Team. Yes, there's a good chance that working with the nervous system the way that Irene teaches may help with what you're experiencing, especially given what you shared about the build of stress. And yes, other people do experience this too. Irene's 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up course might be a good place to start. I'll also link to one of her free resources and a related video that might be of interest. In the video Irene talks about panic attacks - it sounds like what you're experiencing is different and some of what Irene talks about in the video might give you some answers. 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up - 21daytuneup.com Why am I waking up in a panic attack? - irenelyon.com/2020/01/18/why-am-i-waking-up-in-a-panic-attack-the-last-month-in-review/ 4 Surprisingly Simple Steps to Calm Overwhelm... - irenelyon.com/4-steps-to-calm-overwhelm/
@mungbean66933 жыл бұрын
@@teamlyon3109 thanks!
@erichbrough60974 жыл бұрын
9:44 Sounds like last night (or *very* early today!) Clearly lots more re-regulating to do!
@1491rachel3 жыл бұрын
Your videos are extremely helpful 💜
@tinamalave2503 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙏☝💕
@samihaislam34873 жыл бұрын
The sad thing is to wake up at 4 am again after exercising. Then never being able to go back to sleep
@shamininavodya56134 жыл бұрын
Is there a way to heal when you are still trapped in the same traumatic environment, and you can't get out.? Please kindly reply
@cassieopia5324 жыл бұрын
How I feel for you. I wish I could give you a reassuring hug. I live in a house where trauma took place as well. I think I'd make better progress in a neutral environment, but that's not possible atm, so I'm working with what I've got.
@shamininavodya56134 жыл бұрын
@@cassieopia532 Thank you. It's terrible. The worst thing is that there is always someone to attack you when you are finally calm. And it has become like a circle about.this pattern. PS. Hugging you back
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Shamini, Seth here from Team Lyon. It is certainly possible to start the healing process in such a situation. In order to fully heal though, no, the environment and relationships have to be safe. You may find this article of mine helpful! sethlyon.com/sometimes-break-family/
@leileleileleile3 жыл бұрын
I am in this situation! It's super difficult. I hope to get out of it soon and am doing the best I can with what I have right now.
@guilhempietri40513 жыл бұрын
Hi Irene, great video, I have been flatten out for the past 3 months to the point I barely leave the house, if you do private sitting I would be interested as I feel I really need help here.
@smarie8273 Жыл бұрын
Why does sleep get wonky when you’re healing the nervous system? Shouldn’t it just normalize?
@IreneLyon Жыл бұрын
Hi S. Marie, Seth here with Team Lyon. Eventually, yes. BUT. When we are entering into this work very often what happens first is we start unpacking all the various survival energies we've been holding. Prior to that a person's sleep may be ok, maybe not great, but ok. Then, for example, they start doing this work and a big fight/flight charge gets unpacked, and all of a sudden they've got tons of adrenaline for days as a result and sleep get very difficult. Also, once we start doing this work the emotional/mental/physiological imprints of trauma are often processed in dreams as well as during sessions, which can make sleep lest restful for sure. With this work, you have to feel it to heal it, and that very often means feeling uncomfortable things that affect the sleep. Eventually, once the system is regulated, then sleep is MUCH better, but that can take months or years.
@shaundaross1233 жыл бұрын
Hi..thank you for your kind and wonderful content. what do you think of CBT for insomnia?
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
Hi Shaunda Ross, Jen here from Team Lyon. Irene's doesn't speak much out supplements, medications, etc. and she generally suggests doing what works for your nervous system. As nervous system regulation grows, people's sleep often improves. On the way to growing regulation, and in times of more stress, do what works (as long it doesn't feel harmful).
@scottphillips24203 жыл бұрын
Will trauma give you high blood pressure? I feel like my blood pressure is high because I'm constantly running from the imaginary tiger!
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
Hi scott phillips, yes, for sure it's possible that trauma can cause high blood pressure and a racing heart. Taking steps to grow nervous system regulation often shifts this over time. We do also recommend getting checked by an allopathic practitioner to make sure there's nothing else going on.
@abhinavsanjana2 жыл бұрын
I like the Surname That is Lyon or Lion
@ireen76264 жыл бұрын
is the 21 days central nervous system tune up good enough to restore the sleep as you mention in this video?
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Ireen. It is very hard to say for sure because it depends on what you have been through, where your system is at, how much work you've already done, what your living environment and relationships are like, and what your resources and support system is like. It is certainly enough for some, and for others it is a necessary start!
@nataliehalford11824 жыл бұрын
Irene do any of your drop in classes specific ally address this particular thing?
@teamlyon31094 жыл бұрын
Hi Natalie, Seth here from Team Lyon. No, the Drop-In classes are more general and focus on different ways of working with the human system and relating to the self and the environment.
@kristin15333 жыл бұрын
Not only can I not fall asleep at all, I can't even feel drowsy. I have to use meds to sleep.
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
Thank sounds challenging Kristin. Have you explored taking steps to grow nervous system regulation to see if it might help your sleep? - Jen from Team Lyon
@kristin15332 жыл бұрын
@@teamlyon3109 It is a challenge. I had a PTSD incident 20 years ago, and ever since then haven't been able to sleep naturally. My therapist at that time told me my CNS was "stuck." Do you think it's possible nervous system regulation would resolve my issue? Thanks, Team Lyon.
@Fanteasy2 жыл бұрын
@@kristin1533 Have you considered Stellate Ganglion Block?
@jaymills17203 жыл бұрын
How does one conjure up the somatic work to have low dorsal tone? Any references?
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
Hi Jay Mills, Jen here from Team Lyon. I want to make sure I understand your question - are you asking about somatic work that can lead someone to have more healthy dorsal tone (what we call low tone dorsal vagal) which supports healthy sleep and digestion among other things, or are you asking about how someone can use somatic practices to come out of a freeze or shut down state (high dorsal vagal tone)?
@jaymills17203 жыл бұрын
Team Lyon yes 👍:)
@teamlyon31093 жыл бұрын
@@jaymills1720, the answer is pretty much what Irene's teachings are about and what she's designed her online healing programs - The 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up and SmartBody SmartMind - to help people - grow nervous system capacity and regulation. When we do this, over time we are able to come out of and spend less time in freeze/conservation physiology (high tone dorsal vagal physiology) and more time in lower tone dorsal vagal physiology. Depending on your history and nervous system, this may come relatively quickly once the system gets specific support and "clears" some acute trauma, and it may also take more time, support and practice if a system didn't have the conditions needed to access and rest in the more downregulated states (e.g., ventral vagal and low tone dorsal vagal) when it was developing. If you haven't yet seen Irene's free Healing Trauma Training, I'd recommend checking it out as you'll likely find some more answers there. I'll link to it here. irenelyon.com/healing-trauma
@paweluko3 жыл бұрын
Too bad you didn't actually reveal what one IS supposed to do or, to put it differently, what this somatic work that you teach incorporates. Without giving us at least something to grab onto, all this talk is pretty much useless. After all everyone who practises all these techniques (like meditation, mindfulness, breath work or what have you) and doesn't get a relief can tell something is missing here. The question of WHAT remains.
@rainbowishify3 жыл бұрын
She has TONS of this free info on her channel, and/or I would suggest starting with what she mentions as the first step, Education, with the free training series linked in the comments. She is very generous on this channel and I find doing the "Levine hold" coupled with just listening to and watching her speak helps me get regulated FAST (the "Levine hold" is described here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWjdcqablq6sfKM)