Working with Worry Part C

As previously explained when anxiety or trauma is triggered the ANS is at work with a Sympathetic fight/flight/freeze/fawn response. . 

The key to restoring Affect Regulation, alleviating the anxiety and restoring a Parasympathetic ANS state, lies with using the Ventral Vagus Nerve.  

This is the 10th cranial nerve and it's a supradiaphragmatic, myelinated nerve connecting the heart and lungs with the Social Engagement System ie larynx,  middle ear and the nerves around the eyes. 

What this means is that positive conversations regulate the heart and breathing! In other words this restores calm, the Parasympathetic Autonomic Nervous state. 

Because the breathing becomes deeper and slower and the heart beat is less elevated, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine and other wellbeing hormones and neuropeptides are produced. 

I will talk more next time, about Glimmers and Anchors and how to move from circular worry to linear worry and resolve this.

The clue lies in the Bible verses found in Philippians 4 verses 4, 6 and 7: (NIV translation)
 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God,  which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Bible Quotations from the NIV.
Copyright Susie Scott Kydd 2026