The other day my stepson wanted to know if the look and feel of the work environment ‘really matters’. I just about keeled over. But at the same time felt encouraged to share the essence of Sensory Wellbeing and Productivity as far and wide as required, starting in my very own home 
Many Polyvagal Theorists are in broad terms involved with the brain and body’s response in different situations – and talk about ‘Outside, Inside, and Between’. This refers to the very real and very profound impact of the Outside world, on our Inside world, with the aim to achieve balance between these two realities.
In the field of Sensory Integration, Outside is Sensory Perception – to perceive with our senses the environment we find ourselves in. Inside is Sensory Modulation – HOW THE ENVIRONMENT MAKES US FEEL, and, Between – is to cultivate awareness so we can self-regulate when the environment overloads, and self-activate when the environment underwhelms.
We have to do this simple sensory check-in throughout the day: ‘outside, inside, alright?’
Does this environment I currently find myself in leave me feeling stressed and irritable, or bored and fidgety? How can I make it ‘alright’ again? Do I perhaps need to pop on noise cancelling headphones, perform a couple of stretches, or schedule a walking meeting as opposed to sitting passively in a stuffy boardroom?
A regulated employee, is a happy and productive employee. A regulated manager, is a (really) good manager.
We can’t always control the environment, but we can adjust our internal response, and self-manage to feel ‘Alright’.
