Let it Grow - Training and Coaching

You are.
All of this and more.
You.
Yes you.
The one reading this.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
Brilliant.
Brave.
Say it out loud.
A bit louder.
Now shout it.
Sing it from your soul.
Because you are.
No matter how quiet that shout was.
I heard you.

🖤

DORSAL REST: The Most Important Polyvagal State for Coping with On-Going Trauma

In basic introductions to polyvagal theory, we learn about 3 nervous system states - safe and social, fight/flight, and freeze/shutdown. The safe and social state involves the Ventral Vagus nerve, the fight/flight state involves high activation of the sympathetic nervous system, and the freeze/shutdown state involves high activation of the Dorsal Vagus nerve.

From this simplistic explanation, it is easy to assume that engagement of the Dorsal Vagus nerve is something to be avoided. I have received emails asking “Is Dorsal the bad one?” and “What can I do to get out of Dorsal activation?”

I realize that some of the ways I have presented polyvagal info in the past contributed to this misunderstanding, and many of the sources I have referred people to have further solidified this false idea that Dorsal is bad.

In this post, I want to honor the Dorsal Vagus for its fantastic ability to multi-task, and I hope that by the end, perhaps your view of this nerve will have shifted.

DORSAL REST is a state of dorsal vagus activation that is supported by ventral vagus activation. The activation of the ventral vagus moderates the activity of the dorsal, so that the body system does not go into a freeze/shutdown state.

In this mixed state, we feel low energy or immobilization that is tolerable and not distressing. This state allows the body to rest and rebuild after injury, to properly digest food and absorb nutrition, to access meditative or spiritual states, and to sleep. With the help of the ventral vagus, the dorsal vagus offers us restoration, rejuvenation, and healing.

This is possibly the most important vagal state to know about for long-term trauma recovery, for long-haul covid recovery, and for all of us who have just hit the “pandemic wall.” Our bodies require regular activation of the dorsal vagus to heal from normal wear and tear and more frequent activation of the dorsal vagus to heal from trauma.

When we run on high tone sympathetic energy for a long time (months to years), our adrenal resources become depleted. When we eventually crash, we flip from high energy anxiety and hypervigilence to exhaustion and loss of interest in high energy activities. If we cannot access safety at this point, we will become depressed, and the depression will last until we are able to access a sense of safety or refuge somewhere.

Sometimes the stories we tell ourselves or each other about being low energy are the biggest danger cues in our environment. Our society has labeled being low energy as lazy, incompetent, childish, and dysfunctional. When our self-talk is blaming or shaming us for being low energy, our bodies are less capable of using that low energy time for healing. Self-talk is of course not our only barrier to safety, but it is one of the few that is within our control.

Embracing Dorsal Rest has allowed me to better cope with PMDD, a cyclical type of depression that involves severe mood drops just before my period. Those 5-7 days each month still suck, but they suck a little less now that I understand low energy phases are a natural and normal part of my body’s self-healing process. I find that shifting my self-talk changes my experience of how distressing these low energy phases are for me. Thus I have been trying to reframe “sickness behaviors” as “healing behaviors.”

Here is my current list of 100% healthy “healing behaviors” which I find necessary when I am immobilized by my Dorsal Vagus…

Nesting & Naps
Comfort Food
Time and Space Alone
Low energy activities - listening to music, watching Netflix, reading, coloring, meditation, visualizations, breathwork, prayer, yin yoga, constructive rest, visiting with internalized others (inner mentor, inner child, etc)
Sensory Defences - shades drawn, headphones on, humidifier, soft blankets, temp set to a comfy range, etc etc
Doing “nothing” - day dreaming, spacing out, losing time

If I shame myself for any of these, I quickly find myself out of DORSAL REST and into DORSAL FREEZE.

I hope that this post gives you some permission to be slow and restful and know that this is exactly what your body needs.

Also I am wondering if maybe you all can help me add to this list... What other traditional “sickness behaviors” would you name as healthy and healing?






📚 Free Infographics about Trauma & Polyvagal Theory: linktr.ee/TraumaGeek
🧠 Blog: https://www.traumageek.com/polyvagal-neurodiversity-blog-project
🌠 Patreon: www.patreon.com/TraumaGeek

🧡 This

This made me chuckle 😅

“Before I agree to 2022 I want to read the terms and conditions”

Imagine if you knew what was coming next year before it even started…
Imagine if you could handle whatever 2022 throws at you…

Imagine if YOU had the ability to be soooo flexible with your thoughts and behaviours that 2022 could be full of challenge AND YOU could meet it head on, with grace and joy, and THRIVE through every adversity…!

Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Would that be useful to you?

I’ve learnt this past 2 years, through my own experiences and through extensive training and coaching, that all of this is possible, and not only is it possible - it’s easily done! I’ve learnt so many ways to be flexible in my behaviour and thinking, to be resilient and strong, and rise to challenges feeling confident and capable: and then I’ve achieved and thrived through 2020, 2021 and now with 2022 on its way, all I feel is excitement for what is to come.

“Well, good for you!” you might say
“I’m happy for you, but…”
“That’s all well and good, but in my circumstances…”
“I can’t do that though, because I’m…”
“That wouldn’t work for me because…”

Are you ready to drop those excuses and find out how you actually CAN thrive in the middle of a mess?

Let’s work together to look at what’s holding you back, and how YOU CAN take control of your own destiny, and how you can make the next year your own. ❤️ Because you can, can’t you?

………………………………………………………………

Call me, drop me a text, let’s get a date in the diary for your free 30 minute consultation, and let’s get 2022 off to a great start!

Determination.

I kept on keeping on.
And I kept on keeping on.
And I kept on keeping on.

I’m still here, I’m still alive and well,
And, you know what?

For the first time in my adult life, I can finally say, I’M HAPPY 😊 and truly, from the bottom of my heart, I believe it and I feel it, deep in my soul, I’m content and happy.

I knew I’d get here one day, even when I didn’t always feel it.

Thankyou God.
And Thankyou, Past Lisa, for your tenacity and bravery.
❤️

PHOBIAS

😌 Imagine facing your fears and feeling…
Calm, relaxed and unruffled.

🕷 Imagine seeing a spider and just ignoring it, or catching it in your hands and saying hello!

✈️ Imagine going on holiday and anticipating the plane flight with joy and excitement.

What are you afraid of?

Right now I’m on my way to get my vaccine booster - and in the past I would have been shaking like a leaf by now! In the past I would’ve needed someone with me, a hand to hold, a distraction, and afterwards I would’ve fainted!

In the past I’ve had all of those physical sensations you might just recognise:
❤️‍🩹 Sweating
❤️‍🩹 Shaking
❤️‍🩹 Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
❤️‍🩹 Feeling nauseated
❤️‍🩹 A thumping heart
❤️‍🩹 Chest pain
❤️‍🩹 Needing a wee!
❤️‍🩹 That urge to cry or run away

… and today? My picture doesn’t look like I’m ready to run away, does it?
Today I’m feeling great, it’s just another normal day and I’m happy and calm! 😊

That’s because I have an INCREDIBLE technique that has helped me get over my phobias COMPLETELY, and now I’m absolutely great!

Would you like to know how YOU can be free of your fears too?

Drop me a message or email to book a free 30min consultation with me today at [email protected]

Lisa xx

I’m a little windswept this afternoon!

The children and I have spent some time outside in the wind and rain, collecting conkers, spotting squirrels and walking round the cemetery.

I love that we live so close to this beautiful, peaceful place.
I love that I can spend time with my children in the afternoons, playing and walking and being silly.
I love the way the wind and the rain feel on my face, and how cosy I feel in my big winter coat.
I love the smell of the fresh air, the sound of twigs under my feet when I walk.
I love this season.

What makes you glow inside?
Do you know how to find it?

I’ve just finished a course of hypnotherapy with a wonderful lady who came to me for help with passing her driving test … and today? After just a few sessions of hypnotherapy, she passed her test, just like I knew she would ⭐️

Do you know that I can help with such a huuuuge variety of things?

Anxiety
Phobias
Depression
Smoking
Weight Loss
Hypnobirthing
Productivity and Motivation
Confidence
Goal setting
Reaching your potential
A variety of health issues

… and SO much more!

Get in touch with me today - I currently have 2 spaces available for new clients ❤️

I’ve now finished with a client and have some openings available to work with some new people! I only have 2 spaces available right now, so if you’re interested then get in touch ASAP!

Do you know that I can help you with such a huge variety of issues? Whether it’s weight loss, stopping smoking, emotional help with anxiety, depression - or my speciality: phobias, then message me today and ask me how I can help you 💛

Hi my lovelies, Lisa here!

Do you know me? Or are we meeting for the first time?

Well, I’m Lisa 🥰 I’m 34 and I am married, and I have 2 lovely children and a pet cat.

I love to read, write, paint, doodle, anything really that’s crafty and creative. I’m a super girly girl, and I really love all things cute and spangly and glittery. I LOVE glitter in fact. My favourite thing ever is Christmas time. I love the cinema and eating out, and being with my family, and I just really like being around people! I do karate, and I enjoy swimming, and I’m not really much into fitness but I do like to look after myself. I’m very into meditation, and all things that improve wellbeing and self love and care.

I’ve spent the last 2 years working really hard to change my life, change my own mental health, and taken some intensive trainings and qualifications so that I can help others do the same ☺️

Welcome to Let It Grow, Coaching and Hypnotherapy 💛

Lisa xx

Hi my lovelies, Lisa here!

Do you know me? Or are we meeting for the first time?

Well, I’m Lisa 🥰 I’m 34 and I am married, and I have 2 lovely children and a pet cat.

I love to read, write, paint, doodle, anything really that’s crafty and creative. I’m a super girly girl, and I really love all things cute and spangly and glittery. I LOVE glitter in fact. My favourite thing ever is Christmas time. I love the cinema and eating out, and being with my family, and I just really like being around people! I do karate, and I enjoy swimming, and I’m not really much into fitness but I do like to look after myself. I’m very into meditation, and all things that improve wellbeing and self love and care.

I’ve spent the last 2 years working really hard to change my life, change my own mental health, and taken some intensive trainings and qualifications so that I can help others do the same ☺️

Welcome to Let It Grow, Coaching and Hypnotherapy 💛

Lisa xx