A simple Polyvagal exercise

A simple Polyvagal exercise

According to Polyvagal theory the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is constantly looking for cues of safety, danger and life threat. This is called Neuroception.

Neuroception follows 3 pathways:

🔸Internal (cues inside your body, bodily sensations).
🔸Environmental (cues in the environment).
🔸Relational (cues between you and others).

Deb Dana calls this “the 3 streams of neuroception”.

At any given moment the ANS is assessing these 3 streams. This happens below conscious awareness.

I invite you to try this explorative exercise.

1) Scan/feel your body for cues of safety ( Where in the body I feel ok? ).

2) Now look around in your immediate environment for cues of safety. You can also check outside the building, in the landscape etc... ( what feels ok to look at in my environment?).

3) Think of a person who feels safe to you. They can be someone you know. Or they can be a character in a book or a Public figure.

4) Now repeat these 3 steps for cues of danger.
(What doesn’t feel ok in my body, environment and in relation to another?).

Do this exercise as many times as you like. Write things down. This will help you understand what may be influencing how/what you feel and do.
For instance, you may find cues of danger in your work space, and by simply removing them from your work environment will allow you to focus and be more productive.

Since neuroception doesn’t follow cognition, don’t be too surprised by what you may find as cues of danger, as these can be from implicit (unconscious) memories.

I would love to hear how this exploration went for you.