The state commonly referred to as Sub Space is simply one more form of an altered state of awareness. Unfortunately many people have never experienced such states so are little educated in how to recognize it when it happens, and how to fully enjoy it once they are there.

Meditation and relaxation rituals for submissives and slaves that play on a regular basis is a useful tool for enhancing their sub space experiences.One well worth the effort in learning or perfecting. These exercises provide the tools that can greatly enhance the brain's ability to slip into these altered states of awareness.
Just as in a meditative state, you may feel a sensation of disconnecting with the physical, of floating free of the body in a way that allows you to be aware of sensation but to feel a slight separation from it. On the other hand, you might feel sensations far more fully, more distinctly and enjoy the sensation of going deeper into every sensation that is layered upon you. You may become soft, dreamy, and feel that you are moving through water, hearing sounds from a great distance away even though they are in reality right next to you. Or you might become hyper-aware of every sensation and sound.

Some submissives become hyper-responsive and react strongly to every sensation and/or suggestion while others might become lost in their own little bubble and enjoy floating along in a seemingly unresponsive state. This later can be quite deceptive for they are usually just as aware but unable to express it in words or actions at that particular time. Neither reaction is right or wrong but simply to be accepted and enjoyed fully by both partners.

The Drop Itself
Unfortunately, or so most of us think, we cannot stay in that elevated state of awareness forever. There does come a time when we are brought back to earth - usually with a crash and a bang. But it does not have to be that way. There are a number of things you can do to help yourself and your partner through this time.
Some people never drop and some people only drop every once in a while. And there are always those people that will claim that only submissives and/or bottoms experience this drop. Drop can happen no matter which side of the toys you play on, no matter your gender, your age, or your physical condition.

So what is "Drop"? Physical Drop comes from the dramatic change in endorphins, adrenalin, and physical activity that we create in the course of our BDSM exchange with a partner. It is a "coming back to earth" and can be a relaxing, pleasant experience or it can be a shaking, upsetting one. The reaction can quite often be one of actual physical shock for the body has sustained some interesting inflictions that it would not normally undergo and it is reacting to that, quite often in a "fight or flight" type of response. Physical aftereffects can feel as if you are recovering from a day of serious over-doing-it at the gym. You have, in many cases, had your body pushed very hard. Be gentle and understanding of it at this time and allow it plenty of nurturing time to adjust and settle back into its normal pace. This physical drop is something that usually occurs the morning after a good interchange.

Quiet, gentle time, relaxation exercises, gentle stretching, hot showers, long soaks in a hot bubble bath, a nice slow easy day, will all help restore that balance and give the body a chance to settle down from its highly charged state. Be sure to allow time for these little rituals of self-care the next day.

Emotional Drop is the psyche adjusting and responding to those brain chemicals and afterthoughts created by the exchange. Quite often this does not occur immediately, but is a delayed reaction that can manifest several days after the exchange when the brain chemicals are finally settling back down to normal levels.

Responses
Sometimes there are feelings of self-doubt, of "what on earth am I doing this for", or a decision to leave BDSM entirely. Sometimes there are tears and fears and/or feelings of being unworthy, or of being used. Quite often there are unexplained tears, or feelings of sadness and/or anger.

For some people this emotional roller-coaster is unavoidable and yet there are ways that we can make it better or at least easier to deal with.Contact with your partner after a scene is critical. Talk to him/her about your feelings and your fears. Chances are he/she is experiencing a similar response, or has in the past and can help reassure you with words as well as cuddles and soft touches. Try to schedule gentle time together with your partner or at the very least get together for coffee or a lunch just to be together and reinforce the bonds you have forged through your exchange.

Post-scene issues can also occur at this time. Take the time to think of them, speak of them, and address them clearly and logically. Feelings of disappointment, disenchantment, sadness, even guilt may surface at this time. Don't try to bury them but accept them as a natural part of the exchange and your exploration of your own inner self in a nonjudgmental way. Accept your feelings as a valid part of who you are at this moment. Then those feelings can be dealt with in a much more gentle and understanding manner by both yourself and your partner.

In other words, love yourself for the special person that you are and for the courage that you display in your willingness to explore yourself so deeply as well as your special willingness to share that part of yourself with another. Be aware that environmental issues can play an important factor in your "return to earth." Ordinary life can be hard to focus on when you are trying to find your balance again especially if you must share it with other partners that do not know or understand your interests or your physical/emotional state at this time. Try to avoid conversations and situations that will increase your stress over the next several days.

Please remember that it is quite possible that you will enter some very deep emotional spaces within yourself as you delve into the realms of BDSM. These feelings and thoughts can linger for hours, days, even weeks as are a natural part of your own inner growth and expansion. Treat them with the same respect and gentleness that you would treat any other life-changing event in your life - with care, compassion, and understanding.

Take the time to speak with your Dom/Domme about your fears and worries even if you feel you might not express your thoughts as well as you might wish. He/She will listen and strive to understand and support you.

Also be aware that He/She might also be going through some of these emotional and physical issues as well. Remember that we do not practice BDSM in a bubble, but we are sharing an active, dynamic exchange with another person who also has needs, fears, emotions that will cross paths with your own. So do strive to be supportive of your partner even as you expect and desire to be supported in turn.
Suggestions For Coping:

Pre-play planning is very important.
If you are not in the proper state of mind to play, you will not have a "happy landing." Avoid physical and emotional upheaval that you can by not playing when you are in the midst of personal crisis or in poor physical/emotional shape. At the very least - play gently for now is not the time to push limits and boundaries for growth will NOT be achieved while in this state.

Ideally, you will take time to meditate, relax, be well rested, and be lightly fed before it is time to "play." Cut back on the caffeine, the heavy or fried foods, the sugar or junk foods for 24 hours or so before you play.

The goal here is to enter into the situation feeling refreshed, relaxed, in balance, and ready to explore new places. While these steps may not seem important, they can greatly help your body and your mind deal with the other side of that roller-coaster when you are beginning the downhill ride into what can be a thrilling second half of the experience or a negative, horrible let-down.

Another suggestion: If you do not take vitamins - start! Your body needs these things to produce a healthy balance. It makes a difference so begin to take care of yourself properly.

AfterCare
And now you have played and are not quite ready to go home yet.
Don't forget those hugs and cuddles or simply sitting quietly at the feet of your resting Master/Mistress for a time. This is a time of centering and enjoying all the pleasures you have shared. Take time to enjoy it well. Maintain that connection of touch with a foot rub or a backrub for your Master/Mistress. Master/Mistress, you should take the time to explore his/her body for marks, stress, sore muscles. Rub lotion onto the skin that has been abused so well and re-hydrate it thoroughly. Whipping and other applied stresses will remove surface oils from the skin so lotion is a great way to restore that balance as well as maintain that connection, that touch.

If you are not able to go home and cuddle up with your partner, take the time to share food as a way of grounding you both and bringing you back into touch with reality and the physical world. We forget the importance of food in our rituals and our sharing with others when we are exploring BDSM. Don't! It is important and can serve a useful purpose. For centuries people have used the ritual of sharing food with those that are meaningful to them. Extend this into your exchange for it will bring you back into reality gently and together and will also serve to increase the special bonds of friendship that you share.

And now you are home:
Enough cannot be said about hot showers and long, lingering soaks in a tub full of bubbles and skin softeners. Make that bath do double duty by adding candles and soft lights in the bathroom and a scented oil to the water. Lighting is important to us in many ways and we are a nation that has become attuned to harsh lighting and brightness. There is a reason why we insist that dungeons and play spaces be very carefully and creatively lit! Now use that same reasoning to inject into your personal aftercare. Soft lights, flickering candles, the implied warmth of a candle flame - all will add a feeling of comfort, closeness, gentle warmth to your soul as it is being restored to its rightful balanced condition.

A wonderful bath solution is several drops of lavender and a cup of rock or sea salt added to your water.

Aromatherapy and scents can help restore you and relax you or they can invigorate you and ground you. Scents that can help exhaustion and aid in relaxation are Lavender, Rosemary and Sandalwood.

Certain herbs can also help you relax at this time. Valerian is a very soothing, sleep inducing supplement and we all know the restorative powers of chamomile tea.
Don't forget the role that color and texture play in our lives. Select colors that feel calming and restful to you for the next day or so in soft, snuggly fabrics that will sooth the soft little child creature in you.

Most importantly as you select all of these little pampering items that will collectively help you, take the time to relax, to meditate, to look at the experience. Remember that it is important to do this without judgment and without any form of regret or frustration.

This is a learning and an accepting time as well as an adjusting time for you. Make time to talk to your partner about the parts that you are unsure of or are having a problem understanding or accepting for this is not yours alone.

This creation of energy belongs to both of you and was created as part of a sharing ritual. Now it is time to share the end result and use it to grow and to create bonds.