The Autonomic Nervous System
Our autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating our involuntary bodily functions, such as breathing, heart rate and digestion. It comprises two parts – the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems – which work together to help us ebb and flow through life. The sympathetic nervous system can be thought of as a mobilisation system, which supports our “fight / flight” responses in response to danger; when this system is dominant, you may notice an increase in your heart rate, fast and shallow breathing, tension in your neck and shoulders, and a feeling of anxiety. The parasympathetic nervous system can be thought of as a “rest and digest” state, which helps us heal, recover and conserve energy when we feel safe.
According to Polyvagal Theory, the autonomic nervous system is key to our wellbeing. According to the theory, an essential component of the parasympathetic nervous system is the vagus nerve, which has two structural pathways with different functions. One branch of the parasympathetic nervous system (the ventral vagal branch) supports our ability to connect socially with others, to better access our higher brain functions and to have balanced, efficient and healthy bodily systems. When we are in what the Polyvagal Theory calls the “Social engagement state”, we feel calm, connected and more resilient to life’s challenges.
When we don’t feel safe, our autonomic nervous system responds by taking action. In this state, you might notice anxiety, fast breathing, and feeling hot or quick to anger. This is the sympathetic state. If the feeling that we are not safe does not go away, another branch of the parasympathetic nervous system (the dorsal vagal branch) will shut us down. In this state, you might notice extreme fatigue, difficulty with digestion or feelings of depression. This is our body doing its best to conserve our resources to keep us alive.
The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.