Getting Back in Touch With Your Red Flag System - 3 Methods to Protect Yourself in Relationships

Our "red flag" system is a survival mechanism that is designed to protect us from all manner of harm - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Unfortunately, many of us have been conditioned to thwart or ignore our own red flag system in our lives and relationships. If we are in a situation where our instinctual responses toward self preservation are chronically activated, such as when we are in a toxic or emotionally abusive relationship, or in a chaotic and unpredictable relationship affected by addiction in our partner, we may become even less in touch with this mechanism. Here are 3 methods to reinstating your red flag system to protect yourself in your relationships:

1. Take care of your physical body. Your mind and body are linked, and the health of one impacts the health of the other. Eat right, focusing on fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid overly processed foods and sugars. Try supplements if needed, starting with a food based multivitamin and calcium if you do not consume a lot of calcium rich foods. Take fish oil, which has many benefits including improvement of brain health. If you struggle with the blues, you can try 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan), which is a natural antidepressant, and L-Theanine if you suffer with anxiety. Start a doctor approved exercise program, focusing whenever possible on cardiovascular exercise for maximum mood elevating benefits.

2. Begin to pay attention to your body's response to stimuli in the environment around you. If someone honks their horn at you, feel the chemical and emotional response this evokes. Start allowing yourself to get very basic and visualize moving toward what gives you a positive response, and away from what makes you feel down, helpless, fearful or frustrated.

3. Apply this exercise to the relationships in your life. Begin to assess who gives you a positive, affirming, pleasant feeling in your body, and who makes you feel agitated, nervous, or gives you a sinking feeling. Begin to practice saying "no" in your mind to people or requests that make you feel badly, and "yes" to people and requests that feel positive. Eventually, your mental response will become action.

Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html

Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.