By now, most of you are probably familiar with the FFF or Fight, Flight, Freeze response in the body. It’s our internal alarm, which prepares the body in the event it needs to take life saving measures. Also known as the survival mechanism, the FFF activates autonomically when a danger or threat is perceived. (For more information on the FFF, please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEHwB1PG_-Q)
Most of us run into trouble when everyday stressors and the bombardment of technology, information, and data create false activations time and time again, which ultimately creates a situation whereby the FFF activation is our baseline and we constantly feel overstimulated, agitated, or irritable. Over time, false activations can contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety. The false activations ensure our sympathetic nervous system is constantly working, denying an opportunity for the parasympathetic nervous system to initiate the “rest and digest” circuit.
The good news is, we can consciously stimulate the Vagus nerve, initiating that sense of peace and ease in the body, allowing for activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. (For more on the Vagus nerve https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/vagus-nerve)
One of my favorite tools (which works well with acute anxiety) is The Vagus Nerve Reset and here are the steps, according to Renee Ostertag of https://greentreemind.com/:
1.) Lay down, settle and focus your attention and awareness to the presence of your hands behind the base of your head; where your head and your skull meet.
2.) Move your eyes to the direction of 3 o’clock
3.) Maintain this posture until you: yawn, swallow, or sigh (note: depending on how stressed your nervous system is, this can take 10 seconds to 2 or 3 minutes).
(Please see Renee Ostertag’s demonstration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S8KT7w4uaA)
Try it and let me know about your experience!
Have a Wonder-filled Thursday!
Lori
*Photo credit: Alejandro Pinero Amerio, Unsplash
Upcoming Events:
*No Full Moon Meditation in March
-Reiki III Class- Saturday March 26th from 9-11am (currently registered students)
-Cacao Ceremony- Sunday March 27th from 4-5:30pm, $40/person, please RSVP through the evite
-Full Moon Meditation- Saturday April 16th from 7-8:30pm, $20/person, please RVSP through the evite
-Cacao Ceremony- Sunday April 24th from 4-5:30pm, $40/person, please RSVP through the evite
-Reiki Share- Saturday April 30th from 1-3pm, $40/person, please RSVP through the evite (must be attuned to Reiki levels I, II, or III)
-Next Reiki I Class will be Saturday June 4th from 1-3pm. Tuition is $275 and a $50 deposit is required at time of registration. Students must register by May 4th.