Host: Jeffrey Besecker
Guest: D’ Layne Benson, Registered Nurse and Therapeutic Breathwork Facilitator

In this episode of The Light Inside, we delve into the concept of "false calm" and its implications for emotional regulation and mental health. Our guest, D’ Layne Benson, shares her insights on how over-resourcing and cognitive control can mute adaptive feedback signals, leading to short-term quiet but long-term signal loss.

We explore how containment and pacing can build capacity, reduce rupture, and allow coherence to emerge without interpretive intrusion. D’ Layne explains that true regulation isn't about feeling better but about staying present with what's activated. We discuss how false calm can keep individuals disconnected and how to recognize it in real-time.

D’ Layne shares her experiences as a registered nurse and how they led her to explore the role of overfunctioning in high-stress careers like healthcare. She highlights the common trend among caregivers who often neglect their own emotional regulation while focusing on others.

We also touch on the concept of functional freeze, where individuals appear composed on the outside but are in a state of internal shutdown. D’ Layne provides practical advice on how to notice and address these states, both in oneself and in clients.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of relational attunement, the impact of early childhood neural imprints on our perception of safety and threat, and the role of cognitive override in burnout. D' Layne emphasizes the need for scheduling rest and reflection, especially for high-performing individuals who use productivity as a defense against emotional discomfort.

Finally, we explore the nuances of breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation and how it can help individuals reconnect with their bodies in a safe and controlled manner. D’ Layne shares her personal journey and how breathwork played a crucial role in her own healing process.

Join us as we unpack these complex topics and provide actionable insights for better emotional regulation and mental well-being.

Timestamps

[00:03:48] False calm and emotional bypassing.

[00:04:36] False calm in caregiving.

[00:09:12] Observing emotional dysregulation patterns.

[00:11:25] Nervous system and safety perception.

[00:15:07] Autonomic nervous system dynamics.

[00:22:11] Busyness as emotional shield.

[00:26:00] Scheduling time for reflection.

[00:27:25] Building authentic self-worth.

[00:30:31] Safety and internal narratives.

[00:35:04] Doxaxic reasoning and bias.

[00:39:31] Curiosity about personal biases.

[00:42:43] Caregiving and self-neglect.

[00:45:51] Breath as a diagnostic tool.

[00:51:45] Self-healing and awareness.

[00:52:13] Rhythmic breathing's healing power.

[00:56:20] Sustainable change through repetition.

[01:00:20] Value and meaning in care.

Credits

• Host: Jeffrey Besecker
• Guest: D’ Layne Benson
• Executive Program Director: Anna Getz
• Production Team: Aloft Media Group
• Music: Courtesy of Aloft Media Group

Connect with host Jeffrey Besecker on LinkedIn.