In this episode, nervous system researcher Jonny Miller discusses the complexity of the human nervous system and how it impacts our lives. He shares techniques for co-regulating the nervous system, improving sleep, and increasing our window of tolerance. The correlation between heart rate variability and the vagus nerve is explored, as well as techniques for overcoming overwhelm and anxiety. Jonny also highlights the benefits of the NSDR protocol and provides contact information for further exploration.
Bottom-up approaches, like breathwork and postural adjustments, are more effective in regulating the nervous system than top-down techniques.
Co-regulation, through activities like hugging or changing physical surroundings, can help manage and regulate our own nervous system.
Deep dives
The complexity and importance of the human nervous system
The human nervous system is incredibly complex and still not fully understood. It consists of millions of neuroconnections and plays a vital role in shaping our experiences and perceptions. The state of our nervous system can greatly impact our attention, emotions, and overall experience of life. Understanding and exploring our nervous system can help us increase intentionality and live from a less reactive place.
The efficacy of bottom-up approaches in regulating the nervous system
When it comes to regulating our nervous system, bottom-up approaches are often more effective than top-down approaches. By working with our body, primarily through practices like breathwork, postural adjustments, and visual shifts, we can have a significant impact on our nervous system state. These practices activate the parasympathetic branch and can help us shift from a state of stress or overwhelm to a more calm and relaxed state. Bottom-up approaches can be more efficient and provide quicker results than solely relying on cognitive reframing or other top-down techniques.
The importance of co-regulation and outside-in influences on the nervous system
Co-regulation, the process of calming our own nervous system by connecting with another person's regulated state, can be a powerful tool for managing our own nervous system. Activities like hugging, cuddling, or even playing with a pet can help regulate our nervous system and promote a sense of safety and relaxation. Additionally, creating a supportive external environment, through activities like changing your physical surroundings or engaging in calming behaviors like journaling, can further enhance the regulation of our nervous system.
Understanding the different operating modes of the nervous system and expanding the window of tolerance
The nervous system operates in various modes, including sympathetic (mobilizing energy), ventral vagal (associated with social safety and play), and dorsal (deep rest). It is essential to recognize and understand these different modes, as they significantly impact our experiences and behaviors. Expanding our window of tolerance, the range of stress or activation we can handle, is crucial. Practices such as cold exposure, engaging in challenging conversations, and improving CO2 tolerance can help increase our capacity to handle stress and navigate different states of our nervous system effectively.
The Nervous System Mastery course created by Jonny Miller offers so much information about co-regulating, using the nervous system for better sleep and recovery, and more. Today on the Stamina Lab podcast, Jonny joins the show to talk about the course, share more on his work and research in this area, and how he uses what he’s learned personally in his day-to-day. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how our nervous system really is at the center of how we move through the world. Jonny believes it’s one of the most complex operating systems out there but he’s really doing the work to help each of us understand it just a bit better.
For full show notes and episode resources, visit staminalab.io.
Topics:
Why Jonny believes the human nervous system is one of the most complex operating systems in the universe and all that we can learn from it
Hacking your nervous system using a bottom up method rather than the traditional top down method
Co-regulating your nervous system using your environment to increase efficiency
The three operating modes of your nervous system and how they’re essential to getting back to calm
Practices that will help you grow your window of tolerance to remain in a balanced state
Flow state as the blend of your sympathetic and central nervous system
How Jonny uses the nervous system techniques mentioned to improve his sleep
How our nervous system impacts our HRV and recovery
One piece of advice that Jonny would give someone who is just starting to explore nervous system management
Book your discovery session for Stamina Lab's Sleep Coaching Program at staminalab.io/sleep/
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