ANS States

What is life like when one is in a Ventral Vagal State?

  • One is social, engaged, and connected.
  • One is aware and thinking clearly.
  • One is present.
  • One is flexible.
  • One has access to higher cognitive processing and impulse control.
  • One is interested and curious.
  • One has a relaxed muscle tone.
  • One experiences deep, full breaths.
  • One’s heart rate and blood pressure are regulated.
Image of what life can be like in a Ventral Vagal State. People casually visiting -- enjoying the social engagement. Safe & Sound Protocol aims to bring one back into this state.
Image of man VERY frustrated. Helps one to get a sense of what life is like in a "sympathetic state" -- one of two signs of a dysregulated Autonomic Nervous System. Safe & Sound Protocol serves to bring one back into a more balanced ANS state.

What is life like when one is in a Sympathetic (fight/flight) State?

  • One is hypervigilant.
  • One is hyperarousal.
  • One is overwhelmed.
  • One feels chaotic, anxious.
  • One is reactive.
  • One has poor attention.
  • One is reactive to touch.
  • One has high muscle tension.
  • One’s breathing is fast and shallow.
  • One’s heart rate and blood pressure is elevated.

What is life like when one is in a Dorsal Vagal State?

  • One is Immobilized, shut down, withdrawn.
  • One is unavailable; disconnected.
  • One has flat facial affect (lack of facial expression indicating emotion).
  • One has slow or delayed reactions.
  • One is unmotivated, depressed, fatigued.
  • Breathing is Infrequent and shallow.
  • Muscle weakness/low tone.
  • Infrequent, shallow breath.
Image depicting what life is like in a "dorsal vagal state" -- one of two signs of a dysregulated Autonomic Nervous System. Safe & Sound Protocol serves to bring one back into a more balanced ANS state.