Live Q&A Triggers and Cravings: What they are and how to cope
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The content segments discuss the importance of vagal tone in releasing trauma and strategies to gain more control over the autonomic nervous system. Releasing trauma does not mean eliminating it from one's narrative, but rather changing how it impacts the future. Trauma experiences associate many stimuli with threat, causing individuals to feel constantly unsafe and on guard. The goal is to unpair or uncouple stimuli from the stress response, allowing exposure to stimuli without triggering a stress reaction. Strengthening vagal tone can be helpful in reducing the frequency of the stress response system being triggered. Activities such as humming, breathing exercises, mindfulness, stretching, and movement can trigger the relaxation response and regulate emotional responses in stressful situations. Being kind to oneself and practicing mindfulness and grounding are also important in activating the executive control network and reprogramming expectations that may trigger the stress response. Various exercises and techniques, such as stimulating the trigeminal nerves, massaging the temples and cheekbones, and using a TENS unit, can stimulate the vagus nerve and promote the relaxation response. Additionally, activities like yoga, interval training, and consuming probiotics and omega-3s can improve heart rate variability and vagal tone. By improving vagal tone, individuals can have more control over their autonomic nervous system and reprogram their responses to stimuli.
The content segments discuss the importance of vagal tone in releasing trauma and strategies to gain