Working with Dr. Shelley Kerr
#3
#3
Your three systems
Your three systems
Your three systems
A simple way to map your emotions and see what’s out of balance around sleep.
CFT
Post Video Reflection
Post Video Reflection
Notice
Around sleep, do you get caught bouncing between the threat and drive system - worrying about sleep and striving to fix it?
Around sleep, do you get caught bouncing between the threat and drive system - worrying about sleep and striving to fix it?
Try
Try
Draw your three circles as they usually look at bedtime: how large are threat, drive and soothe? Now make a “grow the soothe” list of three things that genuinely help you feel settled, connected or content.
Draw your three circles as they usually look at bedtime: how large are threat, drive and soothe? Now make a “grow the soothe” list of three things that genuinely help you feel settled, connected or content.
Live
Live
What is one sleep-fixing effort you could replace with something that grows your soothe system?
What is one sleep-fixing effort you could replace with something that grows your soothe system?
I've answered these (e.g. in my notebook)
Session Recap
01
Threat prioritises safety
The threat system responds to the possibility of danger, not only to danger that is actually present. Sleep-related worry can therefore keep the brain alert even when the body is physically safe.
01
Threat prioritises safety
The threat system responds to the possibility of danger, not only to danger that is actually present. Sleep-related worry can therefore keep the brain alert even when the body is physically safe.
02
Drive keeps the body active
The drive system energises planning, striving and problem-solving through seeking a solution to a sleep problem. Trying harder to achieve sleep can therefore create the activation that makes us more alert and rest more difficult.
02
Drive keeps the body active
The drive system energises planning, striving and problem-solving through seeking a solution to a sleep problem. Trying harder to achieve sleep can therefore create the activation that makes us more alert and rest more difficult.
03
Sleep needs a different balance
During ordinary daytime activity, all three systems have useful roles. A sleep-ready state generally involves greater soothe alongside relatively little threat and drive. The soothing system naturally helps down-regulate threat and drive. Strengthening soothe can reduce the cycle of worrying about sleep and striving to fix it.
03
Sleep needs a different balance
During ordinary daytime activity, all three systems have useful roles. A sleep-ready state generally involves greater soothe alongside relatively little threat and drive. The soothing system naturally helps down-regulate threat and drive. Strengthening soothe can reduce the cycle of worrying about sleep and striving to fix it.
Next Session
Letting your body settle
Letting your body settle
How to gently activate your soothing system without trying to switch your mind off.
How to gently activate your soothing system without trying to switch your mind off.
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE