Sensory Care Message
Regulation Isn’t Always About Calm
Dear Sommerfly Community,
Welcome to our first Sommerfly Sensory Care Message! In this series, we’ll be sharing practical tools and insights rooted in sensory integration to help support regulation, focus, and emotional well-being in both children and adults.
We’re kicking things off with a powerful concept often used in sensory and executive functioning work:
Being “regulated” isn’t the same as being “calm.”
While a calm state can indicate regulation, true regulation means that your energy level matches the demands of the task or environment. It's about finding the right state, not necessarily a quiet one, for what’s needed in the moment.
For example:
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A child running and laughing during recess is likely well-regulated for that setting.
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The same child bouncing around during quiet reading time may be showing signs of dysregulation.
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An adult preparing for a big presentation might play an upbeat song, do some light stretching, or step outside for fresh air to energize and focus before stepping into the spotlight.
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An adult or child can use a weighted lap pad or a compression wrap while seated to help settle internal energy before an important meeting or test.
Dysregulation happens when there's a mismatch between our internal state and what the situation requires. This is where executive functioning skills—like working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility—play a critical role. They help us shift gears and adjust to meet our environment appropriately.
One highly effective strategy to support regulation is intentional movement. Movement can either energize or ground us, depending on what’s needed:
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To boost low energy: Try quick, oxygen-boosting activities like toe bounces or a few jumping jacks.
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To soothe high energy: Try slow shoulder rolls paired with deep breathing to calm the nervous system.
The key takeaway? The goal isn’t always to calm down—it’s to match. Matching our internal state to the external demand helps us function in a more efficient, productive, and satisfying way.
We invite you to join us on our Sensory Care Message journey. We look forward to sharing more Sensory Care tips with you next Tuesday!
With care,
Sommerfly
