Safe connection for whole health
A relationship to others is the single most important mechanism for the survival of a new born human baby. Without the messages shared within and between that bond, an infant would simply not survive.
Author: thebodyinmind Page 5 of 6
Our understanding of, and access to information about the impact of adversity on our humanness (minds – bodies – spirits – communities) has exploded over the past 20 years, and we are exponentially clearer that going through difficult things shapes our physical, spiritual and mental health.
Applying knowledge of the nervous system to invite the body into regulation
In Polyvagal Theory, the “vagal brake” is the slowing down of a threat response by using cues of safety to hold us when we might otherwise slip into fight, flight or shut down.
Why moving your body can be one of the fastest ways to regulate your nervous system
If we view the physical manifestations of stress, fear and anxiety with an evolutionary lens (i.e that our nervous systems are preparing us to fight or flee in response to a perceived threat) then naturally the clever human system has an effective process of discharging these physiological changes (using up stress hormones etc).
Using the language of your nervous system
Although it might not feel like it, that urgent physical alarm you feel at times of stress is your bodies attempt to keep you safe. It wants to protect you because its reptilian logic determines that you need to be prepared to fight or run.
Mind and body are in constant conversation with each other via the central nervous system – a huge collection of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
“Sighs are the natural language of the heart”
Thomas Shadwell.
Did you know that we naturally sign several times an hour and that sighing is an important part of maintaining healthy lung function?
Mind-body dualism was a legacy of Philosopher Descartes in the 1600s: the idea that the mind is separate to matter (the body).
The Struggle Switch
Ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Sometimes when we are suffering with big and distressing feelings, we are further exhausted by the hopelessness that comes with having already tried everything in our power to change our situation, and end up feeling defeated.
Uncomfortable feelings like anxiety, sadness and anger generally get a pretty bad press. We’re not keen (understandably) so we often work hard to get rid of them when they show up.