You may see the name of this post and think, poly-what? In a series of upcoming blog posts, I will be breaking down this theory into easy-to-digest terms, explain how Polyvagal Theory helps us understand the mind-body connection, and provide tips for you to begin to befriend your nervous system.
When we think about psychology, what tends to come to mind? We might say the thoughts we have, our feelings, and our behavior. It's important to know that a lot is happening at a deep, biological level- in our bodies. How we think, how we feel, and how we interact in the world is a reflection of what is going on in our nervous system. Think of the iceberg in the picture above- we see only a small part of it on the surface, but on a deeper level there is a lot going on. Imagine the iceberg tip as our thoughts, and the rest as whats happening in our nervous system. Did you know that when we take in information, about 80 percent starts in our bodies? Then, this information travels up the pathways to our brain. Our brain gets this information and says, hmm, time to make sense of what my body is telling me.
Sounds pretty important to have an understanding of our nervous system, right? This is where Polyvagal Theory comes in handy. Polyvagal Theory, created by Dr. Stephen Porges, Ph.D., is the study of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is the foundation of our lived experiences. It helps us understand how our biology assists us in moving through the world, navigating experiences, and how we feel safe and connected.
The next post in this Polyvagal Theory series will be talking about the autonomic nervous system. Stay tuned!
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