Understanding stress responses, regulation, shutdown, and resilience Stress responses aren’t personal failures — they’re nervous system reflexes. In this first episode of Season Two, we build nervous system literacy for real life: understanding how stress responses work, why regulation can feel hard, and how to support your body with tools that actually help. Through an accessible, trauma-informed lens grounded in recreation therapy, neuroscience, and polyvagal theory, this episode explores how the nervous system moves between states of safety, mobilization, and shutdown — and how recognizing these patterns can reduce shame, increase self-trust, and improve daily well-being. You’ll learn: 🌿 What nervous system regulation really means 🌿 Why stress responses aren’t choices — they’re protective reflexes 🌿 How to recognize activation, shutdown, and regulation in your body 🌿 The difference between regulation and resilience 🌿 Why state-matched coping matters 🌿 Practical tools for everyday nervous system support This episode includes a guided regulation practice and real-world examples to help you apply nervous system literacy in daily life — especially if you’re navigating chronic stress, chronic pain, burnout, trauma history, or neurodivergence. Season Two begins by shifting the question from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What does my nervous system need right now?” Reflection Questions: What nervous system state do I most often find myself in?What early signals tell me I’m becoming activated or shutting down?What helps me regulate when I’m anxious?What helps me regulate when I’m exhausted or numb?Who or what helps me co-regulate?What does safety feel like in my body?What small nervous system support can I build into my day?📚 Citations & Source LinksPorges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.🔗 https://www.stephenporges.com 🔗 https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org 🔗 https://www.atra-online.com van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books.McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904.Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Holt Paperbacks.ATRA. (2020). Recreation Therapy in Behavioral Health & Chronic Conditions.Iwasaki, Y., & Mannell, R. C. (2000). Hierarchical dimensions of leisure stress coping. Leisure Sciences, 22(3), 163–181.Kaplan, S., & Kaplan, R. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats
