What is Dorsal Vagal
What nervous system state feels like shutting down or “checking out”?
Dorsal Vagal
Does heart rate usually speed up or slow down in Dorsal?
Slow Down
What emotion often shows up as “I don’t care”?
Numbness
Does Dorsal happen when stress feels small or overwhelming?
Overwhelming
Using temperatures - cool water or ice - to wake up the system - (holding ice, washing with cold water, splashing face with water)
Is Dorsal Vagal a choice or an automatic body response?
Automatic body response
Do muscles feel tight and ready to fight, or heavy and tired?
Someone says “leave me alone” and avoids eye contact. What state might they be in?
Dorsal Vagal
Can Dorsal happen after long-term stress?
Yes
What is light movement activation?
Using gentle stretching or slow movements to bring you to present (wiggling toes, touching sofa, moving head, etc)
Is Dorsal Vagal a sign of weakness or protection?
Protection
Does thinking feel clearer or foggier?
Why might someone stare off or zone out during stress?
Their body shifted into shut down
Why might Dorsal feel safer than feeling big emotions?
It numbs the pain
This skill uses naming things to reconnect - such as 5 senses, touching the grass or ground, ABCs, etc.
Why does the body use Dorsal Vagal?
To conserve energy and survive overwhelming stress
Why might someone feel very sleepy when overwhelmed?
The body is conserving energy
How might school feel when someone is in Dorsal?
Overwhelming or Exhausting
Can someone look calm but actually be in Dorsal?
Yes
What are Butterfly Taps?
Tapping your left and right shoulders slowly
What is the difference between being calm and being shut down?
Calm = connected; Dorsal = disconnected/numb
Why might talking feel difficult in Dorsal?
The social system is "offline"
Why might someone cry and then suddenly feel nothing?
Why might Dorsal show up after trying hard for a long time?
The body runs out of energy
What is the FIRST goal when in Dorsal — solve the problem or gently re-energize the body?
Re-energize the body