QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
If we get too far into our defensive state, that means the safety state is inactive.
The social engagement system - the ventral vagal pathways - if they’re active, that keeps our heartbeat at a calmer pace which keeps our defensive [state less active].
Hopefully… your [ventral vagal] safety state - is built up enough to where you have more distress tolerance, more resilience.
If you don’t have access to your safety state, you don’t exactly think critically.
It’s not necessarily a destructive thing or dysfunctional thing or maladaptive thing to access these defensive states, it just depends on whether you have access also with your safety state.
HIGH STRESS JOBS & VAGAL BRAKE
Psychiatric ward, police, ambulance, nurses
Any sort of crisis response and front line work
Need to stay active and mobile for these jobs
Does this activate the flight/fight state? Sure.
Also jobs that are potentially high stress but immobile
Therapists don’t necessarily move much, but lots of stress
But that means safety state is inactive
This is the vagal brake
Being mobilized or in a sympathetic state is not a bad thing
Need safety active along with it
RATIONAL THINKING & DEFENSIVE STATES
Yes, rational thinking does “go out the window” when in defensive states
But not if safety state is active
Some people can do high stress jobs and stay anchored enough in safety
When the vagal brake is off, then rational thinking is not possible more or less
Defensive states are not bad to access
Just need vagal brake
FREE Polyvagal eBook - https://www.justinlmft.com/signup
Building Safety Anchors -https://www.justinlmft.com/bsa
Polyvagal 101 Class - https://www.justinlmft.com/PVT101
Intro/Outro music & Transition Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233
LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673
Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741
Call 911 for emergency
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health sx. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
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