Understanding the Nervous System
A commonly overlooked part of the self-development and mindset field is a deeper understanding of our nervous system and regulation.
We can repeat positive affirmations until we’re blue in the face, but the truth is, our reality can only shift to the extent our nervous system feels safe to receive.
Read that again: Our reality can only shift to the extent our nervous system feels safe to receive.
Our nervous system is the communication system that regulates our body. It consists of the brain, spinal cord and sensory organs, as well as every nerve that connects these organs with the rest of the body.
Our nervous system is constantly scanning our environment, through our neuroception, to assess whether people and situations are safe, dangerous, or life threatening. Our body and brain are consistently and unconsciously, picking up on and translating cues of either safety or danger in our internal and external environments.
Polyvagal theory was developed by Stephen Porges and adds a layer of deeper understanding to why we might react the way we do and repeat the patterns that we find ourselves in.
The vagus nerve is the central nerve within the parasympathetic nervous system that is the “lead conductor” of how our body’s natural calming system works to reduce our stress.
There are three tiers within the autonomic nervous system:
Ventral Vagal state. This is the social engagement state of presence and connection, love, safety and groundedness. It’s in this state that we find our ‘flow’ energy.
Mobilisation state is our fight or flight response. This is caused by a reaction of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system delivers a rush of adrenaline that allows us to move into quick action to either run from or fight off our threat.
Dorsal Vagal state is the immobilisation state, which is considered to be the oldest pathway in our nervous system. This response causes us to become frozen, numb and shut down.
As human beings we will fluctuate between all of these states at various points of the day.
The problem arises when we stay in any of these states for a prolonged period of time, which can lead to significant physiological effects, as well as emotional and mental effects.
Prolonged states of fight / flight can impact our stress hormones, sex hormones, our thyroid and cause significant inflammation within the body. Being in shutdown for too long can increase depressive symptoms as well as suicidal ideations.
It’s important that we recognise these responses within ourselves quickly, and find self-soothing methods to re-enter the social engagement state, instead of staying in a flight / fight / freeze states.
Want a free cheat sheet of nervous system calming exercises you can use right now? Grab it below, or click here.
Grab your free Nervous System Exercises cheat sheet
Download your free sheet with nine nervous system exercises to move you out of the fight, flight and freeze state and back into a ventral state.
