5.1 (Encore): The Most Important Key To Unlocking Recovery - Your Nervous System, Part 1

In this episode, we’re exploring the fascinating connection between your nervous system and your relationship with food. During Part 1 of this podcast, we unpack how the autonomic nervous system influences eating patterns and recovery, using Deb Dana's polyvagal theory as our guide. Discover how trauma, stress, and past experiences create neural pathways that affect your position on the polyvagal ladder during meals. In Part 2, I’ll share practical tools to find regulation, connection, and peace with food. This show honors all bodies while offering evidence-based approaches to healing your relationship with eating from the inside out. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, these conversations will transform how you understand your nervous system and the keys to regulation in long term eating disorder recovery.Key Points[00:06:20] The ANS and Deb Dana’s polyvagal ladder [00:14:50] Neural pathways and eating disorder symptoms[00:19:30] “Small T” trauma and how it impacts the nervous system [00:25:42] Specific nervous system patterns of anorexia, binge eating, and binge-purge or compensatory behaviors**Doesn’t talk about specific behaviors but does discuss symptoms, so please skip to Part 2 if this is triggering for you.Resources MentionedDeb Dana’s work on polyvagal theoryEpisode LinksWebsite: swellmentalhealth.comInstagram: @counselorkateGet in touch and work with me!: swellmentalhealth.com/contact