The Science Behind: Songkran Retreat
Why do certain things calm you while others don't? Polyvagal theory offers answers.
Polyvagal theory explained simply:
Dr. Stephen Porges discovered that our nervous system has three states:
Ventral vagal (safe): Calm, connected, social. We feel secure.
Sympathetic (fight/flight): Activated, anxious, ready to act. We sense threat.
Dorsal vagal (shutdown): Collapsed, numb, frozen. Overwhelm shuts us down.
Self-soothing is the practice of moving from states 2 or 3 back to state 1.
What helps us return to safety:
The vagus nerve—the "wandering nerve" connecting brain to body—responds to specific cues:
- Social connection: Kind faces, warm voices
- Physical safety signals: Warmth, soft textures, gentle touch
- Rhythmic movement: Rocking, swaying, walking
- Slow breathing: Especially long exhales
- Humming or singing: Vibrates the vagal system
These aren't random comfort behaviors—they're neurologically designed to signal safety.
Try this:
Next time you're activated, try humming. Seriously. The vibration in your throat stimulates the vagus nerve directly.
It feels strange at first. But it works.
Stillness Cards offer vagal-toning exercises you can do anywhere.