Home Safe Home: The Subtle Science of Neuroception, and How it Shapes Our Sense of Safety in Space
Image created for this piece via MidJourney
When we think about home design, aesthetics usually come to mind first. But beneath the surface, our nervous system plays a quiet yet powerful role in how we relate to our spaces. Neuroception, a concept developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and central to his Polyvagal Theory —which explains how our nervous system assesses safety and threat— describes our body’s built-in surveillance system. Constantly operating beneath our conscious awareness, it scans the environment, other people, and even our internal experience for cues of safety or threat. Curious to know more? Visit the Poyvagal Institute.
Our neuroception is altered by our interactions and experiences we have as we grow and move through the world. If we’ve been exposed to significant stress or trauma, this can act like a faulty alarm, sounding alerts to danger even when there’s no real threat. Though neuroception works beneath our conscious awareness, we often notice its effects through the physical sensations and responses it creates,
We’ll explore how our neuroception shapes our connection to environment and design through a simple exercise, helping you get reacquainted with your system by tuning into how your body responds to different spaces.
Get to know how your system responds to different spaces.
The key is curiosity. Instead of judging how your system reacts to different environments, try to stay open and explorative. Notice what comes up without rushing to label it as good or bad.
Step 1 - Consider a place or space you resonate with.
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Think of a place which feels relaxing, soothing and calming. This could be a spot in nature or another type of environment that you’re naturally drawn to or yearn for when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Once you have a place in mind, move into creating a body template or sensation map— a simple outline where you can jot down any sensations, colors and imagery that come to mind (no artistic skills required!)
How you feel in these spaces can act as an anchor and a reference point, bringing the sometimes unconscious bodily experience of safety into your awareness. This will be helpful as you move through the rest of the exercise. At the beach, for instance, my chest feels open and expansive, my shoulders feel soft, and so on.
My Calming Space
My Calming Space—Characteristics
Step 2: Consider a space that feels stressful or activating
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This time, choose a space or place that typically feels activating or stressful for your system, and follow the process as step 1. Remember, every system is unique. What feels stressful or threatening to one person might be enjoyable and even calming to another, so try not to judge how your system responds. Noticing how your body reacts in an activating environment can be help build communication with your nervous system and increase your awareness of how it signals threat through bodily sensations.
My Stressful Space—A Crowded Shopping Center
Now it’s time to take what you’ve discovered and see how it connects to your own spaces.
From here, reflect on the characteristics of your calming spaces and those that feel more stressful or overwhelming. You may start to notice how some of these characteristics appear in the rooms of your own home, helping you understand why certain spaces feel safe and nurturing, and others leave you slightly on edge.
This distilling process can help you identify which elements from your safe space might translate into your home. In my case, I might bring in natural materials like grasses, wood, and linen; soft, curved shapes; a bit of movement with gentle foliage; and colors like soft blues, greens, and yellows.
Step 3: Create your concept board.
Now for the creative part. Everything you’ve gathered becomes the foundation for a concept board—the starting point for bringing your new design vision to life.
Natural Earth Ocean Vibes
Naturally, we’re often influenced by what we see as “stylish” or “on trend” by our favorite home magazines and designers. But the process in this article invites you to step away from those influences and take a moment to listen to our own system. What you discover might be very different from what trends suggest. Try to pause judgment, and instead honour your own unique system, creating a home environment that deeply resonates and soothes.
By building greater self awareness and understanding of your nervous system, you can empower yourself to design a home where you truly feel comfortable and at ease.
Written by Rebecca Leakey
Rebecca is a trauma-informed psychotherapist with a passion for interior design and home decor, based in Wiltshire, UK. Outside of her work, she loves dancing, spending time with horses, and taking far too many photos of her dog, especially when she’s fast asleep.
