Understanding the Nervous System and Emotional Processing

Traditional Psychology vs. Modern Insights

• Traditional psychology: Change how you feel by changing how you think.
• Modern research: Focus on the nervous system and its role in emotions.
  • Nervous system: More primal than cognitive processes, influencing emotions.

Nervous System States

• Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Activates fight-flight-freeze response.
  • Response to perceived threats.
• Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Calming response.
  • Rest and digest; slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure.

Healthy Nervous System

• Alternates between activation (SNS) and rest (PNS).
• More time in calm state indicates a healthier nervous system.

Emotion Processing

• Emotions cycle: Rest, alertness, fight-flight-freeze, shake it off, calm.
• Example: Polar bear shaking off stress after tranquilization.
• Humans often suppress their natural emotional cycles due to cognitive interference.

Physical Manifestations of Trapped Emotions

• Emotions can get trapped in the body, leading to muscle tension and stress.
• Physical treatments like acupuncture can help release trapped emotions.

Anecdotal Evidence vs. Empirical Data

• Anecdotal reports support physical treatments for emotional release.
• Research is beginning to validate the effectiveness of these treatments.

Effective Treatments

• Yoga: Effective for PTSD, potentially more than medications.
• Physical Activities: Acupressure, massage, dancing, deep belly breathing.
• Exercise: More effective than medication for mild-moderate depression and anxiety.

Chronic Stress and Trauma

• Can lead to being stuck in the sympathetic response.
• Importance of regulating the nervous system regularly.

Training the Nervous System

• Relaxed vigilance: Essential skill for stress management.
• Frequent, small exercises to trigger the PNS.

Exercises to Calm the Nervous System

• Deep breaths, muscle relaxation.
• Shaking exercise to signal safety to the brain.

Neuroscience and the Nervous System

• The nervous system can change and grow.
• Ability to influence brain activity and gene expression.

Conclusion

• Building skills to manage emotions leads to better mental health.
• Courses and resources available for learning these skills.