Overwhelm is characterized by a racing mind and feelings of hopelessness and complete lack of control.
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CO-CEO, NEUROFIT
1 MINUTE READ
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UPDATED MAY 17, 2023
OVERWHELM: SYMPATHETIC & DORSAL VAGAL RESPONSES
The Overwhelm state is a blend of the Sympathetic and Dorsal Vagal responses. It is characterized by a feeling of being overwhelmed, out of control, and stressed. The body is in a state of high alert, the mind is racing, and feelings of dissociation are common.
TRIGGERS LEADING TO OVERWHELM
This state can be triggered by a variety of things, including a traumatic event, a stressful situation, or simply being overstimulated or exhausted. In any event, the anxiety of Sympathetic and the shutdown of the Dorsal Vagal response are simultaneously present, which is what makes this state feel so overpowering at times.
This is because 80% of the nerves in the body are afferent - running from the body towards the brain. This means that for every thought attempting to calm the body down, 4 times the input is communicating that Overwhelm is the appropriate response. As such, this also implies that Overwhelm is much better resolved through the body.
BUILDING RESISTANCE TO OVERWHELM
There are a few practical ways to resolve build resistance to Overwhelm. First, it is important to understand what triggers the Overwhelm state. Once you know what your triggers are, you can begin to avoid or manage them. Second, it is helpful to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. These techniques can help to calm the body and mind and reduce the symptoms of Overwhelm. Finally, it is important to build up your resilience by taking care of yourself physically and emotionally. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a daily play practice, and exercising regularly.
By understanding the Overwhelm state and taking steps to build resistance to it, you can begin to build increased resistance to stress and live a more balanced life.
80% of the nerves in the human body are "afferent" - running from body to brain. Under stress, when the nervous system and thinking brain tell different stories, the nervous system almost always wins.
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Dysregulation is when the nervous system stops functioning properly and perceives events as stressful or overwhelming due to high allostatic load (baseline stress level). This happens when its baseline has moved significantly away from the default ventral vagal state, often due to chronic stress, trauma, poor sleep, and poor diet. This brings about a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even autoimmune disease.
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The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. This is the body's natural response to a perceived threat. The sympathetic nervous system kicks in and prepares the body to either fight the threat or run away from it. The body's heart rate increases, blood flow to the muscles increases, and the body releases adrenaline and other hormones.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.
The dorsal vagal state is characterized by a complete shutdown of the body's systems, and the onset of dense emotions such as hopelessness and apathy. This state is triggered the gut, also known as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) by external stressors that are perceived as dangerous and overwhelming.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.