Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais How Social Connection Combats Stress | Psychiatrist, Dr. Stephen Porges
Aug 18, 2021
Dr. Stephen Porges joins the discussion as a leading psychiatrist and founder of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He explores the polyvagal theory, highlighting how our physiological states influence feelings of safety and social connection. Topics include the impact of meaningful interactions on mental health, the role of co-regulation in building trust, and innovative techniques like breathing exercises to enhance emotional well-being. Additionally, Porges emphasizes the importance of social bonds in navigating stress, especially in a post-pandemic world.
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Threat Hinders Witnessing
- People struggle to be good witnesses of others when in a state of threat.
- Being threatened makes individuals defensive, hindering their ability to care for or acknowledge others.
Physiological State as Mediator
- Our physiological state mediates how we react to the world.
- A calm body promotes sociability, while a mobilized body leads to defensiveness.
Football and Misread Cues
- In football, a player's mobilized state can cause them to misread cues.
- An opponent's offer of help after a hard hit can change the narrative and de-escalate the situation.