Sometimes things aren’t exactly what they appear to be on the surface. When it comes to human beings, what we see or experience on the surface (such as our emotions or feelings of safety or threat) are actually closely tied to what’s going on in our body at a deeper level, through the activity of our nervous system.
An important scientific theory developed by psychologist and neuroscientist Stephen Porges, Ph.D., helps explain how various parts of our nervous system interact with one another to coordinate automatic activities. These include our “fight or flight” response when we feel afraid, our resting response when we feel safe, called “rest and digest,” and even social behaviors where we connect with other people.
This approach to understanding human behavior is called Polyvagal Theory (PVT) because it has to do with the many (poly) functions of the vagus nerve (vagal) that starts in the brainstem and runs throughout much of the body to control your autonomic nervous system that coordinates functions like digestion, breathing, and the beating of your heart. As humans evolved, this system has taken on an even larger role by monitoring your external and internal environment for any signs of danger, sort of like a home security system hard-wired into your body.
Your body conducts this monitoring through the vagus nerve and those three subsystems of your autonomic nervous system. They are:
The Sympathetic Nervous System that is activated when you feel threated or unsafe and prepares the body to respond with aggression or escape. It’s what is commonly called the “fight or flight” response.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System that is activated when you feel safe and secure and promotes relaxation, digestion and other bodily functions not required to defend you from an attack. This is commonly called the “rest and digest” response.
The Social Engagement System that Polyvagal Theory proposes is activated when we feel both safe and connected with others. This part of our nervous system allows for social interaction, communication, and the ability to read and respond to social cues from other people.
From the perspective of Polyvagal Theory, individuals who learn how to better regulate their autonomic nervous system and activate their Social Engagement System are better equipped to form meaningful connections with others and engage in healthy social interactions. This has important implications for people striving to better understand and manage their feelings and behaviors and for clinicians helping them do so.
Through my study of Polyvagal Theory, I’ve gained an additional set of clinical tools and exercises that enable me to help people better understand and manage these responses and apply them to dealing with a range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other difficult past experiences. Even relatively simple techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and social support can help promote stronger feelings of safety and connection.
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