I don’t know why but sleeping in your childhood bedroom or being around certain relatives makes you physically feel like an anxious, defensive teenager again. While it may be nostalgic and feel like a trip down memory lane, the familiar environment can shock your body into a trap that can be hard to get out of.

Working with a therapist can help you learn nervous system regulation techniques (like feeling your feet on the floor or a specific breathing exercise) to physically ground yourself when you feel the regression happening.