Understanding the Nervous System
Our gateway to life and our experience.
what is the nervous system?
The nervous system is your body's operating system. It's constantly scanning for information and responding before you even realize it.
✔ It controls your breathing, heart rate, digestion, and emotions.
✔ It determines whether you feel calm, anxious, or shut down.
✔ It shifts automatically between different survival states to keep you safe.
Your brain doesn't make all the decisions -- your body does, too. That's why sometimes you feel uneasy without knowing why or struggle to calm down even when your mind tells you everything is okay.
Neuroception: Your Body's Built-In Safety Scanner
Your nervous system has an automatic process called neuroception -- it's like a security system that constantly asks:
"Am I safe? Should I engage? Should I run? Should I shut down?"
💡 Here’s the key: You don’t consciously choose these responses.
Your nervous system decides before your brain even processes the situation.
This is why you might:
-
Feel uneasy around someone without knowing why
-
Suddenly get tense when walking into a crowded space
-
Feel unexpectedly calm in certain environments
Your nervous system reads cues in your surroundings, people, and even your own body to determine how safe or unsafe you feel.
🔺 Polyvagal Theory: The Three States of Your Nervous System
Your nervous system has three main states that influence how you feel, think, and react. You move between (oscillate) these states all day long—often without realizing it (subconscious).
simple practices to regulate your nervous system
The good news? You can shift your state by learning how to co-regulate and self-regulate.
Here are a few ways to start:
✅ Name Your State: Simply identifying which state you’re in can create a shift.
✅ Grounding Breathwork: Deep belly breathing can bring the body into a ventral state.
✅ Movement & Release: Shaking out your hands, stretching, or going for a walk helps process activation energy.
✅ Safe Connection: Talking with someone you trust, even through a short text, can re-establish a sense of safety.
Reflection: What Patterns Do You Notice in Yourself?
Take a moment to reflect:
-
What does safety feel like in your body?
-
When do you feel stuck in activation (anxious, tense)?
-
What helps you feel more present and at ease?
💡 There’s no “right” way to experience your nervous system
💡Noticing and observing your feelings and experience in the moment
Get in Touch
I value your feedback!
Share your reflections, questions, thoughts, or insights here or drop a note in the chat! Also welcome any requests for specific topics or products/services.
