Trauma, dysregulated emotions, high levels of stress and anxiety, all have a way of rewiring and changing your nervous system. The changes are so significant they can cause disease as you witness and carry your dis-ease; they cause coping mechanisms and self-harm, and a host of other significant life impacts. Yet, there is a way to retrain the autonomic nervous system and your relationship to your experiences.

I sat down with trauma and addiction therapist, Polyvagal Institute Course Developer, teacher, and author Jan Winhall to talk about how to shift out of flight/fight/fold and freeze, and how we can connect with ourselves and change the impending danger we feel that keeps us from relaxing and enjoying our lives.

So, let’s dive right in.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction  

02:07 Jan Winhall’s discoveries during her forty-plus years as a trauma and addiction therapist

04:29 The body’s response to trauma   

08:29 Breaking down coping mechanisms and their purpose to keep us alive and safe  

11:00 Polyvagal Theory and your nervous system’s job  

13:43 The hierarchy of fight, flight, fold, and freeze

16:42 Trauma feedback loop

18:17 Your nervous system determines how you experience moments

29:19 Two embodied practices

32:36 Focus in partnerships and connectivity to change the nervous system

35:09 Understanding your triggers

41:33 Attuning to your needs

43:19 The practice of Clearing Space Backwards

49:11 Jan’s 3 gratitudes

There are so many beautiful takeaways from this conversation. You can find the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model on Jan’s website at www.janwinhall.com. You can also find her on LinkedIn and Instagram @janwinhall.

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I also invite you to check out the new 15-day Affirmation Course, where I take you on a journey through how to your brain chemistry and your greatest desires to your benefits. It’s available to start right now!

Looking for more? Visit: www.getyourlifetogethergirl.com, I also invite you to join the new Get Your Life Together, Girl Women’s Circle. This monthly membership gives you access to exclusive exercises, practices, tools, monthly live conversations where you can ask questions, 100s of techniques, and a community to support you. It’s just $9.00 a month. Connection can be complicated. Therapy isn’t cheap. The Women’s Circle bridges the gap. Visit the website to learn more and sign up.