On this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Angela is joined by Dr. Roz Griffiths, a chiropractor from Wellington, New Zealand, for a fascinating deep dive into the polyvagal theory and how understanding your nervous system can help you move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to feeling safe, regulated, and empowered.
Dr. Roz shares her own health journey, explains the three main nervous system states (ventral vagal, sympathetic, dorsal vagal), and gives practical tools you can use right now to help your body process stress, release stored tension, and return to a state of balance. Whether you’ve been in fight-or-flight mode for too long or find yourself shutting down, you’ll walk away with simple hacks to help your nervous system work with you instead of against you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The basics of the polyvagal theory and why it matters for your health and stress levels.
- How your nervous system shifts between safe, danger, and freeze states — and why all three have a purpose.
- Signs you might be stuck in fight/flight or freeze, and what to do about it.
- How cues of safety, body awareness, and hands-on care can help restore regulation.
- Practical, daily nervous system “hacks” to help you feel grounded, connected, and more resilient.
Connect with Dr. Roz Griffiths:
- Website: chirobalance.co.nz
- Email: drroz@chirobalance.co.nz
If you’re ready to stop just “pushing through” stress and start working with your body to feel safe and supported, this conversation will give you the science, the language, and the tools to begin right now.
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