Is Your Body In Overdrive? Understanding the Polyvagal Theory

Did you know your body has its own 'traffic light system' that dictates how you react to stress? This fascinating 'system' is the polyvagal theory, a brainchild of psychologist Stephen Porges. The theory centres on the vagus nerve, a crucial player in our body's automatic or 'autonomic' functions - from controlling your heartbeat and digestion to managing your stress response.

In our day-to-day life, the vagus nerve acts like a traffic light controller. When you're calm and safe, it gives a green light, promoting relaxation and social engagement. But when it detects danger, it switches to a red or yellow light, sparking fight/flight or freeze responses.

Now, let's think about what happens when a traffic light malfunctions. Chaos, right? Similarly, chronic stress, trauma, and mental health disorders can throw off our nervous system's balance, keeping us stuck on red or yellow — fight/flight or freeze. This persistent state of alarm isn't beneficial to our well-being. 

Your Body's Traffic Light System: Breaking Down the Polyvagal Theory

To make sense of this, imagine the polyvagal theory as our body's personal safety system. It consists of three parts:

1. The Ventral Vagal Complex - Your Green Light: This is when we feel safe and relaxed. Picture yourself lounging on a sunny Sunday afternoon, engrossed in your favourite book. You're calm and open to connect with others. This is our body's optimal state.

2. The Sympathetic Nervous System - Your Yellow or Red Light: Now think about stressful situations - rushing to catch a flight, getting stuck in traffic, or facing a challenging meeting. Your heart races, muscles tense, breathing quickens, and your mind becomes hyper-alert. Your body is preparing to either confront danger or run from it - your yellow or red light.

3. The Dorsal Vagal Complex - The Flashing Red Light: This is your body's last line of defence, similar to a possum playing dead when threatened. When stress becomes too overwhelming, your body may cause you to feel numb, disconnected, or even faint - a flashing red light. 

Suppose you've ever been in an incredibly stressful situation, where it feels like everything is moving in slow motion. That's the freeze response in action.

Understanding the polyvagal theory empowers you to better navigate your emotional responses and overall mental health. If you can recognize which 'traffic light' state you're in, you can soothe yourself back to the "green light" - through deep breathing, mindfulness, exercise, or reaching out to someone you trust. Essentially, you're learning to be your own stress response mechanic.

Holotropic Breathwork: Healing Through Breath

Holotropic breathwork is a therapeutic practice that uses breathing techniques to induce altered states of consciousness. It was developed by psychiatrists Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof as a means to promote self-exploration and healing.

Breath plays a significant role in which 'traffic light' state we're in.

Holotropic breathwork employs deep, fast breathing, which can trigger the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response). This breathing style may help a person access and work through traumatic memories stored in the body, potentially leading to emotional release and greater self-understanding. Breathwork can be seen as a way of intentionally and temporarily activating the sympathetic (fight or flight) response in a controlled, therapeutic setting to access and heal traumatic memories.

Once this intense phase is complete, a period of rest and slower breathing follows. This calmer phase stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (which includes the "safe and social" ventral vagal state). This part of the experience is essential because it helps participants integrate whatever emotions, memories, or insights may have emerged during the breathwork and guides them back to a state of calm and safety.

Please remember that holotropic breathwork should always be facilitated by a trained professional due to the intensity of the emotions and experiences that can arise. It might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health conditions like cardiovascular issues, severe hypertension, or specific psychiatric conditions.

Sound Healing and Energy Healing: Harmonising the Nervous System 

Sound healing has profound benefits for our nervous system. It uses different frequencies and vibrations to influence our body's energy systems. These vibrations reach our cells, impacting our nervous system and our stress response. Sound therapy stimulates the ventral vagal complex, the green light state, instilling a sense of relaxation and overall well-being. In essence, it's a 'massage' for your nervous system, guiding your response to stress and fostering a sense of tranquillity.

For instance, certain types of music or sounds - like lullabies, calming music, or sounds of crystal bowls or gongs - can stimulate the ventral vagal complex, fostering a feeling of safety and relaxation. This explains why calming music or certain sounds can be incredibly effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

By promoting a state of relaxation and safety, sound healing can help to reduce the instances of your body defaulting to the fight or flight response. This reduction in stress responses can help with long-term stress management and overall mental health.

After periods of prolonged stress or trauma, our nervous systems can be stuck in a loop of high alert status. Sound healing can help to "reset" the nervous system, encouraging a return to the balanced functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

The vibrational frequencies used in sound healing can help to release emotional blockages, helping to relieve anxiety and depression symptoms.

Similarly, energy healing, like Reiki, operates on the concept of manipulating the 'life force energy' or 'qi' within us to promote health and well-being. During an energy healing session, the healer's calming presence can help regulate your nervous system, providing a sense of safety and connection that engages the green light response. Most people report a deep sense of relaxation and peace during and after an energy-healing session.

In both sound and energy healing, creating a sense of safety and relaxation aligns beautifully with the principles of the polyvagal theory, making them powerful tools for emotional and physical well-being.

Take Control of Your 'Traffic Light System' 

At Re:Mind Studio, our approach embodies the principles of the Polyvagal Theory. We offer practices that foster the green light state of social engagement, helping you recalibrate your internal traffic light system.

Ready to become the mechanic of your own stress response system? Join us at Re:Mind Studio as we explore the intersections of science and holistic healing. Step into our calming space and take a moment to change gears. Are you ready to turn on the green light?