Hack Your Nervous System

In fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, we literally experience the world differently.

We don’t register pain. We zero in on the loud, disturbing sounds. We lose the subtle distinctions in our sense of taste and smell. Everything closes in and gets smaller.

The muscles in our middle ear close, registering only high and low frequencies, filtering through the lens of a possible threat.

Our body’s reaction to the threat is a primitive instinct and out of our control.

So what? Why is this important for us to know?

This means we are less likely to hear things people tell us or we are more likely to misinterpret things we are told.

Have you ever noticed when you are stressed you often forget things or don’t remember directions as easily as you normally do? There is a reason why and that has nothing to do with you getting older and being forgetful. With the muscles in your middle ear closed, your brain is filtering out things it deems unimportant - like what you need to do for your boss or what you need to pick up at the grocery store. You may feel foggy and like you have to focus really hard to remember things - because YOU DO. Staying alive and away from the LOUD, dangerous sound is what your nervous system prioritizes without you even knowing it. Our nervous systems automatically, tune out routine everyday conversation so it can focus in on what it perceives as “danger”. Unfortunately, in today’s modern times the saber tooth tiger and poisonous berries have turned into chronic, unending stress.

What can you do about it?

Listen to music. Hack your nervous system and calm it down by listening to music. As the music sounds move through your ears as vibrations it causes your inner ear to then translate the vibrations into electrical signals. Neurons then transmit these signals to certain areas of the brain. This activity helps disrupt the chronic stress response - literally. The more often and longer the body stays out of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, the better.

Do things that bring you enjoyment. I like to think back to things I once liked to do as a kid. As adults all to often we don’t give ourselves permission to do things simply for the sake of doing them. Here is your permission. Do something simply for the pure JOY of it. Ride a bike, fly a kite, go for a walk, lay on the floor under a table and daydream, color, look at the clouds, hug a tree, press flowers, bake bread, read, sing, the options are endless. Do what calls to your heart - no matter how silly.

Learn to meditate. I know, I know - people don’t often like to hear mediation, but there is a reason why it’s recommended so often to reduce stress. It’s works.  I have a regular daily practice and I would not recommend something I did not personally do myself. Start small. That’s how I started. I love the Insight Timer App. The free version is very robust. Start with meditations that are only two to five minutes long a few times a week. Stay here until you get comfortable meditating. After a while you will begin craving the quiet. I promise. Try it.

Did you try any of these? How did they work? Let me know.

Do you often find yourself stressed, overwhelmed, and forgetting things? Do you believe you may be in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn because you are in an emotionally abusive relationship? In one hour, I can help you learn how to change your thinking to reduce your stress. Schedule a time to coach with me and let's get you started on rewiring your nervous system.