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How the Nervous System Responds to Stress

Everyone's nervous system is different - we've all had unique upbringings and personal challenges - therefore, the way your nervous system responds to stress is unique to you.

In saying that, there are 5 main patterns of stress that the body can go into as it's responding to any form of stress. These depend on how you see, experience and interact with the world around you.

These patterns can show up in how you hold yourself/ posture (which is an indicator of where your nervous system stores tension from stress), or the types of thoughts you have.

Most people experience multiple patterns simultaneously, however there is almost always a dominant one that shows up.

These 5 stress patterns are the first layer of a complex nervous system response, and one of the most important things to address if you want to become resilient to stress.

Take your time going through each one as there's a lot to take in; and maybe even reread a couple times to really understand these patterns and how they might be showing up in your life.

The 5 Stress Responses of the Nervous System

Called "Phases"

One: Wounds of the past

This phase can only show up alongside another dominant phase.
The body is still carrying the energetics of a past traumatic experience.
Types of thoughts include replaying events, blaming, regret, seeking validation.
"This happened to me"

Four: In your head

Phase four from phase one: "This happened to me, and if I can just understand and analyse it, I will finally be free"
Tension stores mostly in the shoulders.
Very mind-focused; understanding concepts, rules, in the stories needing to figure everything out.
Types of thoughts include self observation, problem solving, analysing, putting concepts and ideas into boxes

Two: Fear of future

Phase two from phase one: "This happened to me, and I'm fearful of it happening again"
Tension is stores in the cervical spine (top - neck and base of skull). Often only on one side/left or right.
Neck pulls forward
Types of thoughts include doubt and indecisiveness, what if's, hyper-responsibility.
High need for certainty and control.

Five: Lack

Phase five from phase one: "This happened to me, and now I am a victim and I believe I am not enough"
Tension stored in the shoulders/pelvis, shoulders roll forward and pelvis rotates inwards.
Scarcity or lack; lack of support/ money/ time/ opportunities/ connection/ energy/ resources.
Types of thoughts include comparison, "when I get __ then I'll be okay", "I don't deserve this", difficulty receiving, victim mindset.

Three: Identity

Phase three from phase one: "This happened to me, and this is who I am now because of it"
Tension is stored in the pelvis.
Creates a tilt in the pelvis, which often results with a 'short leg'
Types of thoughts include "who should I be, how am I perceived, how should I show up"
Tries to conform to roles, eg. mum/dad, friend, partner, manager, employee, daughter/son, etc.

Do you resonate with any of these patterns?

The Nervous System Learns Patterns

Through neuroplasticity, your brain and nervous system physically and energetically rewires itself as you go through life experiences.

Whether it's from internal inputs (your thoughts, perspectives) or external inputs (other people, events, environments), your brain moves towards what is familiar; because, to the nervous system, familiarity = safety.

And familiarity occurs with repetition.

Just like how you need to repetitively go to the gym to build muscle, your nervous system needs to repetitively release it's stress pattern to build resilience to stress and restore your baseline.

So the great new is, if you're living in stress patterns as your baseline, you have the potential to rewire your brain and nervous system back to a healthy and regulated baseline!

If you resonated strongly with any of the 5 stress patterns listed above and want to break out of it, we're offering a free consultation to help you get on the fastest track to success.

Over the last 20 years in practice, we've learned that the best way to help people get started is face-to-face experience with our somatic approach. No amount of reading and conceptual learning will give you as much as having an embodied experience.

If you're curious about what our somatic approach might feel like, continue reading for quotes from some of our clients.

If you're ready to contact us for to learn more about how we can help, click the button and this will take you to the bottom of the page to fill out a form.

Results people experiece

"As a wonderful side effect I have noticed a remarkable increase in my ability to respond to and manage work stresses, to the point I have been offered unexpected advancement opportunities in my job." - Sue

"After several sessions with you it felt like I remembered how to relax. Little by little, step by step – not a big quick change. And I learnt how to snap my body back into states that I want to be in." - Emma

"It was a brilliant turning point however, as it made me contact Dov…and I have been moving in a positive direction ever since. In the year since I first went to see Dov I am astounded at how much more positive my life is, and how much more connected and grounded I feel." - Tracey

"I can’t say I understand the physical aspect of his practise, so I can only speak from experiential knowledge. After seeing Dov I feel more open-hearted, grounded, satisfied, relaxed and motivated." - Jamie

"Through Dov and the NSA care I now see the brighter side of life and I am much more prepared to deal with the challenges that life presents when in the past these challenges would get me down." - Chris

"Amazing treatment, I walked out feeling better from my first session. It's been life changing for me, helping me deal with difficult times - and stress and anxiety." - Chantal

"Inspiring Wellness transformed my life and I am now happier, more relaxed and able to approach life's challenges with a new outlook." - Tony

"Now I feel like I have the power and ability to do what I want in life. It’s like someone has shown me I do have the choice to open any door or turn on any light I want. He taught me that I don’t need to be afraid of my life anymore." - Isabelle

"I used to get overwhelmed and fearful very easily. But now, I am much calmer and I don’t get ‘stressed out’ the way I used to. This is so empowering for my present and my future." - C.C.

"Dr Dov is amazing both as a person and his techniques. The this is the non pain way to sort out back and nerve injuries - slower but much longer lasting." - Andrew

Ready to address your stress pattern?

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1. The 5 main patterns of stress

2. The nervous system learns patterns

3. Why stress doesnt always just switch off

4. why insight or temporary state change doesnt create change

5. nervous system reset - what is it

6. how our somatic approach works

7. Signs someone might benefit from this approach

8. what clients notice

Stress doesn't always just 'switch off'

The body stores stress as tension in different areas of your body, depending on how your nervous system responds to stress.

We call tension in the bones 'passive tension'. This is a sign that the stress is not in your awareness. Passive tension moves to active tension before it is released.

We call tension in the muscles 'active tension'. You will be able to feel the physical tightness in your body. At certain times in your life, active tension is necessary to fuel change and transformation, as there is a lot of energy in it.

We call tension in the spinal cord and nervous system 'mechanical tension'. This can create the active and passive tension, as it affects surrounding tissues, therefore is what causes the physical changes in your posture.