Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory

The role of the autonomic nervous system is to store, conserve, and release energy to help us safely move through our daily lives.

Immobilization and disappearing are the survival strategies of the dorsal vagal system.

While we may think our brains are in charge, the heart of our daily experience and the way we navigate the world begins in our bodies with the autonomic nervous system. This is the place where the stories emerge about who we are and how the world works, what we do and how we feel. It is our biology that shapes our experiences of safety and connecti

In a ventral vagal state we can acknowledge distress, explore options, and reach out for and offer support. We are resourced and resourceful. Our attention is focused on connection to ourselves, to others, to the world, and to spirit.

When we are anchored, we have a sense of being safely held so we can venture out without becoming adrift. We are connected to a state of regulation and have room to explore the world around us.

downregulate our threat reactions through the neuroception of safety.

To try this practice, designed to help us move from self-criticism to self-compassion, bring up a moment when you felt distress and read these three phrases1: 1.This is a moment of suffering. 2.Suffering is a part of life. 3.May I be kind to myself. If it feels soothing, you can place a hand on your heart and repeat these phrases.

When we are disconnected from our bodies, we are also disconnected from the ability to tune in to the important information being sent from the body to the brain through the vagal pathway.

Immobilization and disappearing are the survival strategies of the dorsal vagal system.