Understanding Activation– Anxiety & Your Fight/Flight Response (Part 2)

In this episode we explore the activated nervous system state—better known as fight-or-flight. If you’ve ever felt anxious, tightly wound, or like your body just can’t stop, this one’s for you. We explore why your system gets stuck in this high-alert state and, most importantly, provide a practical toolkit to help you work with your nervous system, not against it. Learn why "just calm down" doesn't work and what to do instead to find real regulation.*This episode serves as Part 2 in our "Different States Series"In this episode, you’ll learn:What activation actually is and how it shows up in the bodyThe difference between fight and flight energyWhy your system gets stuck in this stateWhat anxiety is trying to tell you through a parts work lensThe most effective in-the-moment tools to help discharge activationWhat doesn’t work (and why forcing calm can backfire)The deeper work required to shift out of chronic activation for good3 Takeaways:Your anxiety isn’t random.  It’s your body saying: “Something doesn’t feel safe.” Instead of asking "How do I stop this?" ask "What is my body trying to tell me?"Different states need different support. An activated body needs to move and discharge energy. Trying to force stillness often backfires. The goal isn't to just calm down; it's to help your body complete the stress response.Reactive tools are scaffolding for deeper work. In-the-moment tools are crucial for managing activation, but the long-term goal is to create a life your nervous system doesn't feel the need to constantly escape from by addressing the root causes.Categories of Tools for Activation mentioned in this episode:Movement – march in place, shake out your limbs, push against a wall, stomp, dance, go for a walkBreath (but not deep breathing) – try a physiological sigh (two inhales, one slow exhale), or blow air like you're cooling soupVision resets – slowly scan your environment, do lateral eye movements, shift focus from near to farSensory grounding – cold water, textured objects, strong scents like peppermint or citrusPatterned action – folding laundry, swaying, rocking, tapping rhythmsVoice and sound – humming, shushing, singing, or whispering soothing phrases like “I’m okay, I’m not in danger, I’m safe enough right now.”Parts Work: bring in the parts work perspectiveThe goal of these tools isn't to shut down the activation—it is to help complete it. They use up the energy your body has mobilized. And they begin to signal: “We’re okay now.”—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

Ever wonder why a breathing exercise that works for your friend makes your own anxiety worse? The problem isn't you - it's that we've been treating nervous system regulation like it's one-size-fits-all. Your nervous system has different states (activation, freeze, shutdown, and regulation), and each one needs different kinds of support. In this episode, we explore why tailored approaches work better and set the foundation for understanding your nervous system's unique needs.This episode serves as Part 1 in our "Different States Series"In this episode, you'll learn:Why the same regulation tool can help in one nervous system state but backfire in anotherThe four main nervous system states and what makes each one physiologically and psychologically uniqueThe difference between reactive regulation (shifting out of a state) and reactive resourcing (supporting yourself within a state)Why these tools are temporary scaffolding while you do the deeper healing workHow to start developing flexibility and agency in navigating between different states3 Takeaways:Your nervous system has different states that need different tools. You have two choices when dysregulated: stay with it (resourcing) or shift out of it (regulation). These tools are temporary scaffolding, not permanent solutions. The real goal isn't to need these techniques every day forever. It's to do the deeper work of healing what's causing the chronic dysregulation while using these tools as support along the way.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

Using a personal story about a difficult uphill walk versus an easy downhill one, this episode offers a powerful and validating analogy for the healing journey. Amanda explores why life and healing can feel so hard when you're dealing with anxiety or depression, diving into the real physiological and biological reasons your body is working overtime. This episode is a compassionate reminder that your struggle is not a personal failing and that the hard "uphill" work you're doing now is what creates the conditions for life to feel easier later.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why a dysregulated nervous system is "physiologically expensive" and makes daily life feel objectively harder.The reasons the healing process itself—confronting the past, feeling new emotions, and changing habits—also feels uphill at first.How underlying physiological issues, like hormone imbalances or nutrient deficiencies, can make the healing journey feel even steeper.Practical strategies for navigating the "uphill" phase of healing without getting discouraged.What the "downhill" phase of healing looks and feels like, and the hope that it is possible.3 Takeaways:Life with anxiety or depression feels uphill because it literally IS harder. Healing feels uphill because you're investing energy to create new conditions. The uphill phase is temporary and necessary. —Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

Living in the world right now can feel overwhelming, especially when every news alert seems like another crisis demanding your attention– the news can feel like both a moral obligation and a fast track to burnout. If you find yourself caught between wanting to stay informed and feeling completely dysregulated by constant alarming updates, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the news is designed to activate your stress responseThe difference between staying informed and perpetuating dysregulationThe framework: only consume information proportionate to your ability to take actionSmall, meaningful actions that support both nervous system health and social change3 Takeaways:News media is designed to dysregulate you. Match information consumption to your capacity for action. Caring about the world and protecting your nervous system aren't mutually exclusive. —Websites to find local ways to serve:JustServe (justserve.org)What it is: A community service platform that connects volunteers with projects from non-profits, faith-based groups, and community organizations. It's very project-oriented, making it easy to find one-time events or short-term needs.VolunteerMatch (volunteermatch.org)What it is: One of the largest and most popular volunteer search engines. You can filter opportunities by location, cause (e.g., Animals, Arts & Culture, Seniors), and skills you want to use. They also list virtual and remote opportunities.Idealist (idealist.org)What it is: While also a major hub for nonprofit jobs and internships, Idealist also has a powerful search function for volunteer opportunities. It's excellent for finding roles that might involve more specific skills or leadership, like serving on a board.Points of Light (pointsoflight.org/volunteer)What it is: A global organization that promotes volunteering. Their website has a search function that aggregates opportunities from various partners, allowing you to find projects in your local area.Meetup (meetup.com)What it is: While not exclusively for volunteering, Meetup is an excellent tool for community involvement. You can find groups dedicated to local clean-ups, community gardening, social advocacy, or simply connecting with neighbors who share your interests.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

When school ends and summer begins, many parents expect a break—but what often comes instead is a spike in stress. In this episode, we explore why summer can feel more dysregulating than restful and how to support your nervous system through the transition. Learn how small, intentional shifts can help you move through this season with more calm, connection, and compassion—for yourself and your kids.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the transition into summer can overwhelm your nervous systemHow loose rhythms, not rigid routines, support regulation for both you and your kidsWhat co-regulation looks like in everyday moments (yes, even when it’s chaotic)Why repair after rupture is more important than getting it “right” all the timeSimple somatic tools to anchor your body in overstimulating moments3 Takeaways:Loose Rhythm Regulates: A flexible but predictable rhythm can soothe your nervous system and create calm for your kids.Regulation Doesn’t Have to Be Quiet: Even brief body-based practices—like shaking, orienting, or a breath reset—can make a real difference.Repair Builds Safety: You don’t have to be perfect—just willing to come back and reconnect when things go sideways.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

This is a simplified version of the conversation we had last week about how it's common for trauma survivors to feel anxious or scared when they finally experience moments of calm or regulation. This episode explores why this paradoxical response happens and offers gentle ways to help your nervous system learn that regulation doesn't have to mean danger. We dive into the "safety-danger equation" and how to build your capacity for feeling safe, one small moment at a time.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your nervous system might interpret safety as a threat after trauma.How past experiences can make you feel like you've "lost your ability to protect yourself" when you relax.Practical strategies to start feeling safer with regulation, even when it’s uncomfortable.3 Takeaways:Feeling anxious when calm isn't a sign you're broken; it's a learned protective response from past trauma.Your nervous system is always balancing "cues of safety" against "cues of danger"—trauma can make safety feel unfamiliar and thus threatening.You can teach your nervous system that safety is okay by starting with small, anchored moments of regulation and validating your protective instincts.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

Have you ever felt anxious about not feeling so anxious? Or had a moment of regulation trigger anxiety? In this follow-up we explore a counterintuitive but common phenomenon in trauma recovery: when finding safety and regulation actually triggers fear and anxiety. Drawing from research by Bessel van der Kolk, Stephen Porges, and Deb Dana, we examine why the regulated "green zone" can feel threatening to trauma survivors.In this episode, you’ll learn:→ Why trauma survivors often feel most vulnerable when regulated→ How to identify what specific cues of safety and danger influence your nervous system→ Techniques for building regulation capacity without triggering protective responses→ The importance of "both/and" thinking: maintaining protection while exploring regulationThree Takeaways:Regulation happens when cues of safety outweigh cues of danger—but trauma rewires this equation, making the nervous system hypersensitive to potential threats and misinterpreting safety cues.The fear of regulation isn't a failure or resistance—it's an intelligent adaptation that protected you in the past and deserves respect even as you work to expand your capacity.Recovery isn't about eliminating protective responses but gradually creating reliable "islands of safety" that demonstrate regulation is survivable and eventually beneficial.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

In this episode, we tackle the challenging but vital question: How can we support nervous system regulation when someone isn't in a safe environment? Drawing from Deb Dana's Polyvagal Theory expertise and current research, we explore practical strategies for both practitioners and individuals navigating unsafe circumstances.In this episode you'll learn:How to identify small touch points that can activate brief ventral vagal statesSpecific techniques practitioners & individuals can use to support clients/themselves in unsafe environmentsMicro-practices for self-regulation during ongoing stress or threatThree Takeaways:Even in unsafe environments, small "safety or regulating anchors" (objects, memories, connections) can provide crucial moments of regulation. The goal isn't permanent regulation in unsafe circumstances, but creating brief reminders that another state exists.Oftentimes the first step in healing is acknowledging the reality of one's situation, not minimizing or denying it. Whether you’re a practitioner or the individual going through it, remember that your struggle makes sense, your survival responses make sense.Recognizing and savoring these micro-moments of "safe enough" builds neural pathways that support resilience over time.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.—Resources/Citations:National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233"Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection" by Deb Dana"Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory" by Deb DanaLevine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.Kearney, D. J., McDermott, K., Malte, C., Martinez, M., & Simpson, T. L. (2012). Association of participation in a mindfulness program with measures of PTSD, depression and quality of life in a veteran sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(1), 101-116.Price, M., Spinazzola, J., Musicaro, R., Turner, J., Suvak, M., Emerson, D., & van der Kolk, B. (2017). Effectiveness of an 8-week yoga program for women with chronic PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(2), 173-180.West, J., Liang, B., & Spinazzola, J. (2017). Trauma sensitive yoga as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A qualitative descriptive analysis. International Journal of Stress Management, 24(2), 173–195.Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., Nuriel-Porat, V., Ziv, Y., Lerner, K., & Ross, G. (2017). Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(3), 304-312.Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

Can anxiety start... in your gut? Triggered by a listener's experience linking a gut cleanse to panic attacks, this episode dives deep into the powerful gut-brain connection. Discover how physiological issues—from microbiome imbalances to inflammation—can ignite anxiety symptoms from the "bottom-up," often before any anxious thought occurs. Learn why this happens and gentle strategies to support both your gut and brain health for better mental wellbeing.In this episode, you’ll learn:How the gut and brain communicate through the nervous systemHow gut disruptions can lead to anxiety or panicWhy anxiety often begins in the body (and how to reframe it as information)Practical ways to support your gut and mental health together3 Takeaways:Anxiety Can Start "Bottom-Up": Gut disruptions can directly cause anxiety symptoms, not just thoughts.Gut Health Matters for Mental Health: Gentle, consistent support is often key, be cautious with harsh cleanses.Reframe Anxiety as Information: View symptoms as signals of an underlying imbalance needing support.Resources Mentioned:Healing Through the Vagus Nerve (see pages 40-41 for the gut-brain connection)—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise

In this episode, Amanda shares a personal story about her shift from running to walking—and eventually walking with a weighted vest—and how this physical adaptation revealed powerful lessons about nervous system regulation, healing, and mental health. She explores what happens when the tools that once worked no longer serve us, why slowing down is often exactly what our bodies need, and how to adapt our regulation practices to match our current season of life. Whether you’re carrying too much or moving too fast, this episode invites you to move slower, carry less, and get curious about what’s next.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why we sometimes freeze when familiar coping tools disappear.The science-backed benefits of walking for stress and brain processing.Getting creative to find the "next best thing" for regulation when resources change (like losing access to sunlight in winter).The powerful principle: If you want life to feel easier, move slower and decrease the weight.Practical ways to apply this principle to reduce stress and overwhelm.3 Takeaways:Adaptation is a key part of regulation.Slowing down isn’t failure—it’s often the medicine we need."If you want life to feel easier, move slower and decrease the weight." Practical Application: This week, choose one area of your life where you're feeling pressure or stress and experiment with the formula: move slower, decrease the weight. Notice how your body responds, how your breathing changes, and how your thoughts shift.—Looking for more personalized support?Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)Join me inside Regulated Living, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.Website: https://www.riseaswe.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amandaontherise/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandaontherise