A few things to understand about your nervous system's states

There are inbuilt defense states that our bodies cleverly display (reflexively) whenever it perceives a threat. The threat might not be real, but the nervous system perceives it as real when there is unresolved trauma or/and unprocessed stress in the body.

It’s really important to understand this, so that we realise that these states don’t show up by choice. The rational brain gets hijacked when these physiological states kick in.

Every single one of us experience these nervous system states.

Since we were created to be rational beings. Nervous system regulation is extremely important, so that we are not constantly hijacked by our emotions and reactions.

Here are a few examples of sensations and some common thoughts & emotions that might show up for you in each state.

🔸SYMPATHETIC (fight/flight)

Bodily sensations:

• General agitation
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Clenched jaws
• Wanting to move.

Thoughts & emotions

• The world is against me.
• I’m not doing enough.
• There is not enough time.
• Racing thoughts.
• I want to get away from here.

♦️FREEZE (combination of Sympathetic and Dorsal vagal)

Bodily sensations

• Feeling stuck
• Wanting to move and wanting to stay put at the same time.
• Heart pounding or slowing down.

Thoughts & emotions

• Thoughts of overwhelm. Everything feels too much.
• Fearful thoughts.
• Wanting to hide/not wanting to be seen.
• Sense of dread.

🔹DORSAL VAGAL (shutdown)

Bodily sensations

• Numbness
• Heaviness
• Feeling cold
• Immobility
• Weakness in limbs

Thoughts & emotions

• I can’t deal with this.
• I can’t be bothered.
• Disconnection
• Low mood
• Hopelessness

This is not an extensive list. It’s a sample to give you an idea, so that you can start to observe it in yourself.

It’s important to get to know your own system and your own triggers.

You can learn more about this + practical tools on my highlights. If you would like mentorship, to dive deeper, feel free to check my bio for 1:1s online sessions and/or somatic group work.