How Our Body Knows We're Safe (1 min read + 6 min video)

How do our bodies know we're safe?

Psychologist Stephen Porges describes the three states of our autonomic nervous system as immobilization (freeze), mobilization (fight/flight), and social engagement (relaxed presence).

Porges hypothesizes that our nervous system is constantly scanning our environment for cues of threat and safety on a subconscious level (a process he calls neuroception).

If we find cues of safety, social engagement activates and we can allow our guard down to get close to people emotionally.

If we find cues of danger, we are likely to put up a wall (immobilization), get into a fight, or remove ourselves from the situation (fight/flight).

When our neuroception is over-tuned to look for threats, it can affect our relationships and well-being by keeping us from forming close relationships.

Psychotherapist Kaitlin Baldwin explains how neuroception impacts our life in this brief video:

https://youtu.be/HgkAbidb960