Internal Cues of Safety
Following are just examples. You may come up with your own.
- Relaxed muscle tone in general/fluid movement/reduced pain.
- Relaxed abdomen in particular
- Slow, easy, unlabored breathing
- Normal resting heartrate (neither too fast or too slow)
- Blood Pressure Normal
- Hands & Feet warm
- Emotional state: calm – pleasurable
- Higher brain function accessible
- Clear thinking; social engagement easy
- No sense of hyper-vigilance/excessive alertness
Behavioral Cues of Safety
- Relaxed & Composed
- Open & Connected
- Curious
- Capacity for Self-Regulation & Co-Regulation
