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.
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- One is Immobilized, shut down, withdrawn.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.