Butterfly Hug for Anxiety: A Resourcing Exercise to Calm Your Nervous System

Learn resourcing with the butterfly hug, a simple nervous system regulation tool for anxiety, freeze, and stress responses. Instead of fighting your protective patterns, you’ll thank them, connect with a steadying resource, and build an “I am” statement that helps safety stick. In this video, Meg Young, Therapist, Coach, Yoga Teacher, and author of Anxiety Unraveled: Your Journey Toward Answers and Freedom, and PSST! When My Body Gets Loud: A Tiny Trick for Big Feelings walks you through a guided practice you can use daily. In this video: 0:00 A story about the freeze response 01:00 Step 1: Thank the pattern (freeze, fawn, fight, flight) 01:45 Step 2: Identify what you needed back then 02:01 Step 3: Find your resource 02:35 Step 4: The butterfly hug 03:03 Step 5: Notice the body sensation 03:27 Step 6: Name the emotion 03:53 Step 7: Finish “I am...” 5:30 Why resourcing works Important note on “I am” statements: Your “I am” should be positive or neutral (for example, “I am safe,” “I am enough,” “I am capable”). If a negative statement comes up, stop the exercise, orient to the room, and feel your feet on the floor. Bring what came up to your therapist. Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. I am not acting as your therapist, and this is not therapy or medical advice. Use these tools alongside, never in place of, professional mental health care. If you feel overwhelmed or distressed during this practice, stop and reach out to your provider. If you are in crisis, call 911 (U.S.) or your local emergency number. Want more? Get Anxiety Unraveled: Your Journey Toward Answers and Freedom here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMQLSF4W?... Get PSST! When My Body Gets Loud:: A Tiny Trick for Big Feelings here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWGRXZ1?... Website: www.meg-young.com A free self-regulation starter kit and more here: www.meg-young.com/help-for-anxiety Tell me your “I am” in the comments. #butterflyhug #nervoussystem #anxietyrelief #resourcing #somatic #traumainformed #freezeresponse