Rewiring Your Nervous System: Breaking Free from Trauma and Anxiety
Unlocking the Power of the Polyvagal Theory
Trauma, dysregulated emotions, and chronic stress can rewire your nervous system, leading to disease, self-harm, and a multitude of life-altering consequences. However, there is hope for transformation. By retraining your autonomic nervous system and reframing your relationship with your experiences, you can shift out of the perpetual state of fight, flight, fold, and freeze.
An expert in the field, renowned trauma and addiction therapist Jan Winhall, shares her insights on the Polyvagal Theory and its application in rewiring our nervous system. With over forty years of experience, Jan has made groundbreaking discoveries on how to break free from the grip of trauma and anxiety.
The Body’s Response to Trauma
When faced with trauma, our bodies respond by activating the fight, flight, fold, or freeze mechanisms to ensure survival. However, these coping mechanisms can become ingrained, leading to a perpetual state of hypervigilance and anxiety. By understanding the hierarchy of these responses, we can begin to recognize the patterns that hold us back.
Retraining Your Nervous System
Jan emphasizes the significance of embodied practices in rewiring our nervous system. By focusing on partnerships and connectivity, we can shift our response to trauma and anxiety. This, in turn, allows us to attune to our needs, recognize our triggers, and cultivate a sense of safety and relaxation.
Practical Strategies for Transformation
Jan shares two powerful embodied practices that can be incorporated into daily life:
- Practice one: Focus on partnerships and connectivity
- Practice two: Cultivate a sense of safety and relaxation
Additionally, she introduces the concept of “Clearing Space Backwards,” a technique that enables individuals to release trauma and anxiety. By incorporating these practices into our daily routine, we can begin to rewire our nervous system and experience a profound sense of transformation.
Cultivating Gratitude and Connection
Jan’s 3 gratitudes practice serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of gratitude and connection in rewiring our nervous system. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we can begin to shift our perspective and cultivate a sense of safety and relaxation.
Resources for Further Growth
For those seeking to delve deeper into the Polyvagal Theory and its applications, additional resources are available:
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