Embracing Slowness: Feel Like A Turtle, Be Calm, Carry On

how to feel like a turtle

Turtles are fascinating creatures, and while they may not be the most affectionate pets, they certainly have unique ways of communicating and interacting with their environment. If you're interested in understanding how these reptiles feel and perceive the world, read on to explore the topic of 'how to feel like a turtle'. From their shell sensitivity to their response to different stimuli, we will delve into the world of turtles and gain a deeper appreciation for their behaviour and biology.

Characteristics Values
Feel safe and secure Be on a low, flat surface
Be persistent The more you handle it, the more accustomed it will grow to human interaction
Be patient It may take a long time for the turtle to learn to recognize and trust you
Handle with care Avoid picking up or handling the turtle unless necessary
Consider the temperature Turtles are more energetic, aware and receptive when they are warm
Understand turtle communication Sitting motionless with the mouth open, withdrawing into the shell, and snapping or biting gestures are signs that your turtle is not in the mood for human contact
Practice good hygiene Wash your hands after handling a turtle

petshun

Learn to recognise and cope with environmental triggers that cause tension

To feel like a turtle, you must learn to recognise and cope with environmental triggers that cause tension.

Turtles are known to pull their heads into their bodies when they are scared. If you find yourself doing the same, it is important to notice the triggers that cause this reaction. Once you have identified the triggers, you can then work on inviting a sense of ease in your neck, allowing your head to lengthen away from your body.

Identify your triggers: Triggers can be internal or external. Internal triggers are things you feel or experience inside your body, such as thoughts, memories, emotions, and bodily sensations. External triggers are situations, people, or places you encounter in your daily life. To identify your triggers, reflect on the situations, emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations that typically precede your tension.

Increase your awareness: By increasing your awareness of your triggers, you can develop a sense of understanding, validity, and predictability around your emotional reactions. This can positively impact your overall well-being.

Avoid triggers when possible: While it is not always possible to avoid triggers, there may be certain situations or places that you know will trigger a reaction. In these cases, it is reasonable to avoid them if doing so does not hinder your ability to function.

Develop coping strategies: Learning to cope with triggers you cannot avoid or anticipate requires emotional processing, often aided by therapy. Some effective coping strategies include mindfulness meditation, grounding techniques, deep breathing, expressive writing, and social support.

Seek professional help if needed: If you regularly feel triggered and unable to cope, consider seeking help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. They can assess your symptoms and determine the best treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, or trauma-focused therapies.

By recognising and coping with environmental triggers, you can develop a sense of ease and safety, allowing yourself to "come out of your shell" and feel more like a turtle.

Do Turtles Have a Taste for Carrots?

You may want to see also

petshun

Try to find a quiet place or listen to music

If you're feeling like a turtle, it might be because you're feeling scared and want to retreat into your shell. Turtles do this when they're scared, so if you're feeling the same way, it's important to recognise your triggers and try to find a quiet place to help you feel safe.

Finding a quiet place can help you feel calm and relaxed, and it can also help to cue your nervous system towards a sense of safety. If you can't find a quiet place, try listening to some music. Melodic vocal music can be especially soothing and help you feel more at ease.

Listening to music can be a great way to distract yourself from whatever is causing you to feel like a turtle. It can help to take your mind off things and provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. If you're not sure what type of music to listen to, try something with a slow tempo and relaxing melody.

Singing along to music can also be helpful. It can be a form of self-soothing and help you feel more in control. If you're not comfortable singing, that's okay too. You can try having a friendly face-to-face conversation with someone, or looking at pictures of baby animals if you're alone.

All of these activities can help you feel more relaxed and safe, which is an important part of feeling like a turtle. By taking the time to care for yourself and create a calm environment, you can start to ease the tension in your neck and throat muscles, allowing your head to extend away from your body, just like a turtle coming out of its shell.

petshun

Look at pictures of baby animals

Looking at pictures of baby animals is a great way to feel calmer and happier. Research has shown that viewing cute baby animal pictures can positively affect our emotional wellbeing. When we see an image with the cute factor, our brains release a hormone called dopamine, which has a similar effect to cocaine but is a much healthier option.

Baby animals with their large eyes, large heads, and high foreheads typically have a positive effect on individuals. This effect is known as the baby schema, and researchers believe it is triggered when we look at baby animals.

Pictures of baby animals can also help us shift negative feelings. If you're not feeling your best and are struggling to deal with your emotions, looking at cute baby animals can help boost your mood.

  • Baby hedgehogs, also known as hoglets
  • Baby kangaroos, called joeys, which stay in their mother's pouch for up to 11 months
  • Baby sea otters, also known as pups, which swim with their mothers
  • Baby opossums, another type of joey
  • Foxes, which can be called pups, cubs, or kits
  • Baby swans, or cygnets
  • Calves, which can refer to baby cows or elephants, with the latter growing up to be around 1,600 pounds
  • Baby lambs
  • Piglets
  • Sloths
  • Squirrels, which usually have litters of 3 or 4 kits

petshun

Practice the Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a century-old mind-body practice that addresses the functioning of the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to determine how best to alleviate tension and facilitate ease of movement. The technique is taught by qualified teachers in 1-to-1 lessons, with some teachers offering introductory group classes. Lessons typically take place in a studio, clinic, or the teacher's house and last 30 to 45 minutes. Students are advised to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to allow for ease of movement.

During lessons, the teacher will observe your movements and guide you in improving your balance and reducing strain. They will use their hands to gently guide your movements, helping you to maintain a better relationship between your head, neck, and spine, and to release muscle tension. The main principles of the Alexander Technique are:

  • How you move, sit, and stand affects how well you function.
  • The relationship between the head, neck, and spine is fundamental to optimal functioning.
  • Becoming more mindful of your daily activities is necessary to make changes and gain benefits.
  • The mind and body work intimately together as one, constantly influencing each other.

Teachers of the Alexander Technique believe that conditions such as back pain, neck ache, and shoulder pain are often the result of misusing your body over a long period, such as moving inefficiently or sitting with your weight unevenly distributed. The aim of the technique is to help you "unlearn" these bad habits and achieve a balanced, more naturally aligned body.

To practice the Alexander Technique, it is important to be mindful of your body and how you move, sit, and stand. Pay attention to your posture and make adjustments to improve your balance and reduce strain. For example, try elongating your spine, releasing tension in your neck, and "lightening up" your body. Take breaks throughout the day to pause and release any tension you may be holding. This can help you deal with stress and improve your overall well-being.

Additionally, the Alexander Technique can be particularly beneficial for those with long-term pain, such as back pain or neck pain. Regular lessons may lead to a reduction in pain-associated disability and decrease the frequency of pain. It may also be helpful for individuals with Parkinson's disease, as it can improve their ability to carry out everyday tasks and enhance their overall well-being.

petshun

Learn to understand turtle communication

Turtles are not the most talkative or sociable creatures, but they do communicate. They have a few ways of communicating, including verbal and non-verbal methods.

Verbal Communication

Turtles do not have vocal cords or external ears, but they can still communicate verbally. They produce a variety of sounds, including hissing, grunting, and clicking. Hissing is one of the most common sounds, and it usually indicates stress or fear. Turtles may also make other low-frequency sounds.

Non-Verbal Communication

Turtles use visual and tactile cues to communicate non-verbally. During courtship, for example, male turtles may touch the female's neck and head with their claws, while females may blink continuously to attract a mate. Land turtles also have complex head-bobbing routines to attract mates.

Turtles also use body language to express emotions and convey information. For instance, a turtle may bob its head up and down to show aggression or extend its neck to show submission. When a turtle feels scared, it will retract into its shell.

Understanding Turtle Communication

By paying attention to the various verbal and non-verbal cues, you can begin to understand what a turtle is trying to communicate. For example, if a turtle is hissing, it is best to leave it alone, as it may be stressed or feel threatened. Similarly, if a turtle bites, it wants to be left alone.

Turtles are not always receptive to human interaction and may view humans with hesitancy and fear. Therefore, it is important to be patient and allow the turtle to get used to your presence.

Frequently asked questions

Turtles pull their heads into their bodies when they are scared. If you are feeling scared, try to identify your triggers and then find ways to feel safe. This could mean going somewhere quiet, listening to music, or looking at pictures of baby animals.

You can try going somewhere quiet, listening to music, or looking at pictures of baby animals. If there is someone around, having a friendly face-to-face conversation may also help.

You can try the Alexander Technique, which involves working with your mind to coax your body into a state of ease and recognising and coping with environmental triggers that cause tension. You can also try some gentle neck massages or some yoga poses.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment