Nervous System Snack: The Book Of Ventral

This is a gentle practice that activates your ventral vagal state — the branch of the nervous system linked to safety, connection, and calm. It can help shift us out of a triggered or stressed state (fight, flight or freeze) and into a sense of grounded and resourced presence. We remind our system what calm and connection feel like, and strengthen the pathway back to ventral. Over time we can build up a library of ventral moments to which we can return in times of need.

Transcript

In this practice we are activating our ventral vagal state,

The branch of the nervous system that's linked to safety,

Connection and calm.

By vividly recalling a moment of well-being,

Our brain and body can begin to re-experience those same physiological states,

Shifting us gently out of stress or freeze and into a sense of grounded presence.

Like a compass point,

This ventral anchor reminds our system what calm and connection feels like and makes it easier for us to find our way back there.

You can do this practice sitting,

Standing,

Lying down,

Wherever you are.

Close your eyes or keep them soft and bring to mind a moment recently when you felt safe,

Content,

Joyful,

Connected,

A time when things felt just right for you.

Pick one specific memory and paint that memory in your imagination,

In all its details.

Really let it come alive in its textures,

Sounds,

Sensations.

What was there with you in this moment?

What could you see,

Hear,

Smell,

Touch?

Tune into how your body felt in that moment,

How it feels now as you're recalling this particular memory.

Really bringing this memory alive in all the ways that you know how and linger there,

Savour it.

Let yourself soak in the goodness.

You can spend as much time as you like connecting to this memory,

Savouring it.

And before you finish,

Think of this memory as a book on your bookshelf and give it a name.

Then imagine putting this book onto the bookshelf of your mind,

Your inner library of goodness,

So that at some point in the future you can return,

Reach for it and revisit it when you need a nourishing pause.