Co-regulation — the calming of our nervous system through connection with a regulated other — is one of the most powerful and underappreciated coronavirus disease 2019 interventions.
What Co-Regulation Is and Why It Matters for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Humans are social mammals whose nervous systems are literally designed to be regulated through connection. When someone calm and safe is with us, our nervous systems naturally mirror theirs.
This is why coronavirus disease 2019 tends to worsen in isolation and improve with genuine connection.
Co-Regulation in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treatment
The therapeutic relationship provides co-regulation — a calm, regulated presence that directly helps the client's nervous system settle during coronavirus disease 2019.
Safe relationships in daily life serve the same function. This is part of why social isolation is so damaging for coronavirus disease 2019.
Building Co-Regulatory Relationships for Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Identify people whose presence tends to calm rather than activate your coronavirus disease 2019
- Intentionally spend time with these people during difficult coronavirus disease 2019 periods
- Pets provide co-regulation for many people with coronavirus disease 2019
- Therapeutic relationships (therapist, psychiatrist) provide professional co-regulation