Recently, Behavioral Fitness expanded its horizons with the opening of a new, larger space, welcoming individuals and groups into an environment designed with mental well-being in mind. Among the positive echoes from our first groups, one sentiment distinctly stands out: “I feel safe being here.” This reflection is a profound reminder of the fundamental role that feeling safe plays in our overall health and well-being. Feeling safe is like a gateway, not just for immediate comfort but for unlocking deeper levels of insight, facilitating stress reduction, and enabling the crucial practice of downshifting, as highlighted by research from Blue Zones, essential for longevity.
The concept of safety goes beyond the absence of physical threat, encompassing emotional and psychological dimensions. Feeling safe is a precursor for genuine self-exploration and healing. So, how do you recognize when you are in a state of emotional and psychological safety? Here are a few indicators:
1. Ease of Being Yourself: When you feel safe, there’s an
inherent comfort in being your authentic self. You don’t feel
the need to wear masks or hide aspects of your personality.
This authenticity is a key indicator of emotional safety.
2. Openness to Vulnerability: A willingness to share thoughts,
feelings, and experiences that you usually guard is a sign of
feeling psychologically safe. In such environments, the fear of
judgment or rejection diminishes significantly.
3. Physical Relaxation: Safety is not just a state of mind; it’s
embodied. A notable absence of physical tension, ease in
breathing, and a general sense of relaxation can signal that
you feel safe.
4. Engagement and Connection: Feeling safe enhances your
capacity to connect and engage with others. It activates the social
engagement system, as described by polyvagal theory, facilitating
meaningful interactions and strengthening relationships.
5. Resilience to Stress: When you’re in a safe environment, your ability to manage stress
improves. You notice a shift towards responding rather than reacting to stressors, indicative of a more regulated nervous system.
Polyvagal theory, the science of feeling safe, offers a biological explanation for these experiences, emphasizing the importance of the body’s response in creating a sense of safety. This theory illustrates how safety is essential for activating the pathways in our nervous system that support calm, growth, and restoration.
As we continue to foster environments that prioritize emotional and psychological safety, like the new space at Behavioral Fitness, we not only support individual well-being but also contribute to a more empathetic, connected society. Recognizing and seeking out spaces where we feel emotionally and psychologically safe is not just beneficial—it’s vital for our mental health and overall longevity.
Checklist for Emotional and Psychological safety:
1. I can be myself
2. I can share openly
3. I feel relaxed in my body
4. I’m socially engaged
5. I’m responding vs reacting to stress
Behavioral Fitness is on a mission to help people live better. https://www.behavioralfitnesstoday.com
By Dr. Allyson Mayo and Teri DeLaMontanya