The Nervous System
Welcome to the Nervous System- your body’s feedback system that alerts you of danger and keeps you safe
What is the Nervous System?
The nervous system includes both conscious and unconscious parts of the body that help us stay safe. It alerts us to danger and helps us respond. It also interacts with other body systems—like slowing digestion in moments of threat so energy can go to survival instead.
Homeostasis: The Baseline
Homeostasis is the body’s balanced, calm state—specifically the ventral vagal state. In this state, we feel safe, present, and connected. Emotions come and go naturally, and we can experience joy, calm, and authenticity.
Danger! Nervous System Activation
When the body detects danger (consciously or subconsciously), it activates the nervous system. This happens in three zones:
Hot: Fight, Flight, or Fawn- looking for a solution
The sympathetic state. The body reacts to danger with action:
• Symptoms: Anxiety, irritability, people pleasing, perfectionism, racing heart, sweating, panic, anger.
• Chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline surge to support quick thinking or physical strength.
Mixed: Transition Zone
Between hot and cold, the nervous system is deciding if there’s a solution or not::
• Symptoms: Nausea, cold sweats, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, self-harm
• The system is still looking for a solution, but losing hope one exists.
Cold: Freeze- there is no solution
The dorsal vagal state. The system shuts down:
• Symptoms: Numbness, depression, fatigue, dissociation, brain fog, forgetfulness
• Natural opioids are released to help lessen pain
Trauma: Stuck Activation
Trauma occurs when nervous system activation has no safe release.
Triggers—situations that resemble past trauma—reignite symptoms even if we aren’t aware of the connection. Healing requires safety and processing through the body’s one-way path from activation back to calm.
Healing the Nervous System
Healing involves releasing stuck trauma charges from the body. This requires:
1. Feeling into symptoms of hot, mixed, and cold activation.
2. Alternating between safety (resourcing) and feeling into activations
3. Going slowly and gently to avoid retraumatizing the system.