92: Nervous System Overwhelm: Notice the Signs, Polyvagal Theory Basics, and 12 Tools Towards Healing Trauma, Depression, Shut Down, and Overwhelm

This episode is a rerun of a previous episode on The Embody Podcast while I am on a short restorative hiatus.When you’re depressed, paralyzed, shut down, or dissociated — knowing what is happening can support healing and a compassionate look at the body and how it’s trying to protect us and adapt. This episode is a practical and scientifically-based discussion about understanding the basics of the nervous system in overwhelm or trauma. By noticing the signs, you can support your body in feeling more safety, resilience, and capacity with very basic tools.We are so used to going in the hard stuff of our lives and overriding and pushing beyond what our bodies need. This can create an auto override and autopilot — are we really here in our hearts and bodies?In this episode, I share many signs of nervous system overwhelm, 12 things to do to support and heal trauma, a bit of Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing, and the way our nervous systems can be affected in relationships. The more I have understood the nervous system, the more compassion I have been able to feel for others and humanity.How can we understand our nervous systems through animal behavior? Find out in this episode. I also bring forward questions I like to ask myself: How much of me is here? Where is my awareness/what is the quality of it? How am I in my body?Next week, I will share three experientials that are connected to this episode. Links, Article, and ResourcesAll Show Notes for This Episode📝 https://candicewu.com/overwhelm Podcast Homepage🎧 https://candicewu.com/podcastNewsletter & Embody Community💌 https://candicewu.com/embody-communityDonations – Your Support Means So Much!💝 https://candicewu.com/supportCandice Wu Page on Facebook👫 https:///EmbodyYourNatureFollow Candice on Instagram📷 https://instagram.com/EmbodyYourNature Sponsored by My Personal Healing Immersions and RetreatsThis episode is sponsored by my personal healing immersions, retreats, and trainings. People who are interested in diving deep in their healing and transformation, or in learning from Candice can reach out to her to set up a personal retreat in a location of your choice. Time and length, as well as the content of the retreat is completely collaborative and intuited based on what you desire and need! Couples and Ethically non-monogamous and Polyamorous relationships are also supported.Learn More About My Personal Mentorship at CandiceWu.com/mentorship Show Notes0:00 Intro1:14 Brought to You by My Client Work and One-on-One Immersions3:16 The Meditations Database3:42 Transcriptions of the Embody Podcast4:22 Opening: How Anger Can Be Helpful5:41 Nervous System Overwhelm: The Freeze Response8:04 Story Nervous System & Check-in for How Much Is Here Right Now?15:00 Question for You: How Much of Me Is Here Right Now?19:19 Let’s Talk About Polyvagal Theory20:27 an Image to Understand Polyvagal Theory: The Lion and Gazelle22:15 The Three States of Polyvagal Theory24:26 The Nervous System Needs Safety — Even if the Threat Is Decades-Old or Not Even in Your Lifetime25:39 What Are the Signs of the Freeze State?29:35 Shifting Out of Freeze31:32 Navigating the Body Between These States32:14 Unresolved Trauma From Past Lives Is Part of This as Well33:22 Relating Trauma to Depression34:03 Healing at a Deeper Level: What Happens When You Come Out of Freeze State36:42 Talking About Implicit Memory37:29 Mention Past Life and the Deep Mystery Podcast Episode38:40 Key Principle: Provide What Wasn’t Had39:12 12 Tips and Tricks to Heal Trauma and Tonic Immobility39:22 1) Orient Yourself and Notice Your Surroundings40:49 2) Touch Your Body From Head to Toe41:43 3) Recognize That You Are Alive and Safe Right Now42:28 4) Resource a Safe Person44:06 5) Be With a Safe Person or Animal or Be in a Safe Place44:35 6) Slowing Down Your Experience and Notice44:54 7) Pendulate Between Safety and the Challenge46:16 8) Use Movement to Support Yourself / Shake Up the Energy47:41 9) Run and Slow It Down49:03 10) Reveal or Allow Anger49:30 11) Practice Assertiveness49:57 12) Tune Into a Moment That You Felt Like Yourself or Ok52:22 Be Prepared for Emotions and Body Sensations54:09 Information Overload — Freeze State?54:58 My Experience With These Tools and Signs to Look Out For57:43 This Week’s Experientials (Will Be Next Week Instead of This Week)58:45 I Didn’t Learn How to Do This on My Own: Connect With Someone1:01:02 Outro: Ending With Something Light a Poem by Cameron Awkward Rich1:03:00 13) Leaving You With Music1:03:19 The Embody Newsletter to Stay Up to Date