The Stillness state is a blend of the Ventral Vagal and Dorsal Vagal responses. This state is characterized by a sense of calm and ease. The body is in a state of rest and the mind is clear and focused. This state is beneficial for overall well-being as it allows the body to heal and repair itself.
The Ventral Vagal state is characterized by a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. This state is associated with the parasympathetic nervous system and is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. When the body is in a state of rest, it is able to heal and repair itself.
Stillness also builds resistance to the Dorsal Vagal response because it strengthens the connection between the mind and body, ensuring that we only go into a shutdown state in extreme circumstances. The Dorsal Vagal response is characterized by a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as a shutdown of the digestive and immune systems, so it's best experienced only in short bursts.
When we are able to remain in a state of Stillness, we are better able to cope with stress and manage our emotions. This state of mind-body connection is also associated with increased creativity and productivity. So, if you're looking to improve your overall well-being, consider incorporating some Stillness into your daily routine.
Andrew is Co-CEO at NEUROFIT, and a Caltech graduate with 10 years of tech + product experience touching millions of lives at NASA, Snapchat, Headspace, Yale's Center For Emotional Intelligence, and his own wellness startups.
After facing two decades of chronic stress, burnout and C-PSTD, he launched NEUROFIT to provide an effective, data-driven, and accessible solution to these challenges.