Hi I’m so sorry I’m only getting round to this (honestly never expected to get any asks ever this is super awesome!)

Tips for ending a bout of paralysis:

1. Ignore it. Oftentimes the more you focus on it the longer you’re going to draw it out. Try to immerse yourself in something else like a tv show or drawing or a puzzle.

2. Interval wiggling. Every now and then have a little wiggle, it could be a big wiggle such as all the body parts that aren’t paralysed or you could see if you can send that signal to the paralysed part. Animals do that shake when they come out of a shock and it basically resets them and shakes off that weird energy feeling you get. It might not work right away, but it tells your body it’s okay to move, so keep at it, just make sure you have breaks in between.

3. Intermittent signals. Send the move signal to the smallest part of the body part that is paralysed (toes for legs, fingers for arms). Focus on one part at a time tell it to move a little bit, it’s hard so don’t expect it to reach there right away, but visualise (if you can) that signal coming out of your brain into your spine and down to the paralysed part, imagine it getting closer to its destination each time you send it. Again; have breaks in between.

4. Baby pinches. You know that stereotypical grandma pinching the baby’s cheek? Do that to your paralysed part, be gentle! The idea here is to remind yourself it’s not really paralysed, it’s just having a nap. Play around with the sensations on your skin, remind yourself that this body part is connected to you, it is still yours. Tapping and stroking works here too, find what suits you.

5. Move it with something else. This one gives me the heebie geebies because it’s like putting your foot flat on the ground with pins and needles to me, but it can be what’s needed. Use the rest of your body to bend the joints of the paralysed part individually (one finger at a time, one knee, etc) this helps remind your brain that your joints and muscles aren’t stuck and it helps keep blood flowing.

7. Keep it warm. Not moving body parts will make them much colder than the rest of you and cold muscles don’t work even when they’re not paralysed, so keep blankets/jumpers/fluffy socks nearby. Many times I have worn a jumper by only having one paralysed arm in the hole and the rest of my body outside of it.

8. Forgive yourself. It’s hard and uncomfortable and you want it to go away fast, but dang why won’t it go away?!? It’s happening. You can’t get out of it fast, but you can breathe and get through it, it will pass in the end - keep reminding yourself that it will pass and you can get through it. Paralysis is the brain finding a way to deal with whatever stress it is currently trying to handle, your body needs this moment to heal so forgive it and allow it the moment it’s asking for! These steps will help, but ultimately it’s your brain’s decision, you just need to help it (and you) feel safe while it has its moment.

But what was more fun was watching her neighbour come home and do a double take as I lay on top of it!