

Stephen Porges On How Facial Expressions Impact Your Relationships - Relationship School Podcast EPISODE 247
7 snips Aug 5, 2019
Renowned for founding Polyvagal Theory, Stephen Porges delves into the crucial role of facial expressions in relationships. He explains how misreading expressions can lead to misunderstandings with partners. The conversation explores the interplay between our nervous systems and emotional connections, highlighting co-regulation and its significance in both personal and public interactions. Additionally, Porges discusses the implications of stress on our bodies and how caring for others can impact our health and relationships.
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Contingency over Content
- In relationships, words matter less than the contingency of interactions.
- Ruptures in contingency, like ignoring a partner's bid for connection, register strongly in our nervous systems.
The Unresponsive Partner
- Jason Gattis shares an example of ignoring his wife's morning greeting while working.
- This lack of responsiveness creates stress, highlighting the impact of micro-interactions.
Managing Bodily Feelings
- Acknowledge and respect your own bodily feelings without immediately assigning blame.
- Use higher brain functions to evaluate the situation before reacting defensively.