Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out

Polyvagal Theory and Anxiety with Natalie Deering

John Clarke, LPCC

In this episode of Going Inside, I sit down with Natalie Deering, an IFS therapist and wellness expert, to explore the polyvagal theory and its connection to anxiety. Natalie breaks down how understanding our nervous system responses can help us navigate anxiety, and we discuss practical tools for fostering safety and calm in our bodies.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding the Polyvagal Theory: The polyvagal theory explains how our nervous system responds to stress, anxiety, and safety cues, helping us recognize why we may feel anxious in certain situations.
  2. Fight, Flight, Freeze Responses: Anxiety can trigger various survival responses like fight, flight, or freeze. Learning to identify these reactions helps us become more aware of our body's needs and responses to stress.
  3. Regulating Through Breath and Connection: Techniques like deep breathing, grounding, and engaging in safe relationships can help regulate our nervous system, shifting us from anxiety to a state of calm.

Learn more about Natalie Deering at https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

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