A brief recap of nervous system states referenced in this podcast.

Sympathetic: Your body shifts into protection through action. You may feel anxious, hypervigilant, controlling, restless, irritable, or constantly “on.” This is the fight-or-flight state, where your nervous system is scanning for danger and prioritizing survival over connection, pleasure, or rest.

Dorsal (Dorsal Vagal): Your body shifts into protection through shutdown. You may feel numb, disconnected, exhausted, hopeless, unmotivated, or like you’ve disappeared from yourself. This is the freeze or collapse response, where the nervous system conserves energy by withdrawing when things feel too overwhelming.

Ventral (Ventral Vagal): This is the regulated, connected state where you feel safe enough to be fully present. You experience more ease, curiosity, confidence, playfulness, intimacy, and resilience. From ventral, you’re able to connect deeply with yourself and others, access creativity and pleasure, and respond to challenges with flexibility rather than reactivity.

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