The Power of Orienting: How to Use Your Surroundings to Regulate Your Nervous System

As you read this blog post, take a moment to pause and look around your room. Notice the details around you—perhaps the color of the walls, the texture of the furniture, or the pattern on a nearby object. Name three things you see.

This simple act of tuning into your surroundings is known as orienting. Though it might sound straightforward, orienting has a profound impact on your nervous system. By engaging with your environment, you help your body and mind return to a state of balance. In this post, we’ll explore why orienting is essential for nervous system regulation and how you can incorporate it into your daily life.

Why Orienting Matters

Orienting is more than just glancing around; it’s a natural process that connects us to the world around us. From an evolutionary perspective, our ancestors relied on orienting to scan their environment for threats, ensuring their safety. But orienting isn't just about survival—it's also crucial for social connection and feeling grounded.

The Role of Orienting in Nervous System Regulation

When your nervous system is regulated, you're able to stay present and take in your surroundings. However, when you're experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety, your capacity to orient can be thrown off. You might become hyper-alert, constantly scanning for danger, or experience tunnel vision, disconnecting from your surroundings.

Dr. Peter Levine, the founder of Somatic Experiencing, has shown that orienting plays a key role in helping people feel safe and grounded. By intentionally tuning into your environment, you send a signal to your nervous system that it’s okay to relax—you’re safe.

Orienting isn’t just a tool for moments of anxiety or stress—it can be practiced at any time. This ongoing practice helps you stay present and engaged with your environment, whether it's caring for your home, tending to your plants, or connecting with the people around you.

How to Practice Orienting

 Here’s a basic exercise to get you started:

1. Pause – Wherever you are, take a moment to stop what you're doing.
2. Look Around – Slowly scan your environment from left to right. Notice the details—colors, shapes, objects.
3. Name What You See – As you scan, name the things you observe (e.g., “tree,” “car,” “window”).
4. Tune into Your Senses– Pay attention to any sounds, smells, or sensations you notice as you orient.

At first glance, orienting might seem too simple to make a difference. But the truth is, this practice is a powerful tool for regulating your nervous system. By connecting with your environment, you’re sending signals to your body-mind that it's safe. Give it a try and see how it impacts your sense of connection with the world around you.

Jordan Majdalani (he/him) is a holistic speech pathologist, NLP practitioner, and breathwork facilitator. He's currently enrolled in Somatic Experiencing® International, a body-oriented modality developed by Peter Levine, Ph.D., that helps heal trauma and other stress disorders.