#174 How to feel grounded when we're overwhelmed or dysregulated using ventral vagal spaces and touchstones, with Dr Jan Eppingstall

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In today's episode, Dr Jan Eppingstall and I explore how to create a ventral vagal space or touchstone to help us regulate our emotions, drawing inspiration from the work of Deb Dana and polyvagal theory. We look at how we can find or create areas within our home, and objects we can use on the go, that provide safety and connection, allowing us to feel grounded and manage overwhelming moments. We'll look at the emotional significance of objects, avoiding those that glower at us, and instead creating spaces filled with comfort and warmth.

• Creating Your Own Ventral Vagal Space
• Permission Slip segment
• Discussion about photographic portraits
• Emotions associated with the portraits
• Objects as Memories
• Significant memories vs. happy memories
• Harriet Impey's notion of "glowering" objects
• Emotional Impact of Objects
• Portraits as a reminder of insecurity
• Ventral Vagal Space Concept
• Use of Deb Dana's work in polyvagal theory
• Connection between emotional safety and physical space
• Explanation of Polyvagal Theory
• Breakdown of the nervous system's stages: ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal
• Relevance of Polyvagal Theory to Hoarding
• Trauma and its relation to object attachment
• Challenges of decision-making in a cluttered environment
• Deb Dana's Home Analogy - Comparison of home systems to body's autonomic systems
• Integration needed for a "full life" and connection
• Practical Application of Ventral Vagal Spaces
• Creating nourishing home spaces
• Abundance
• Importance of Touchstones
• Explanation and significance of touchstones
• Examples of personal or portable calming items
• Creating a Ventral Vagal Space or Touchstone
• Starting small by identifying objects that bring safety and contentment
• Using childhood memories to influence current safe spaces
• Applications and Benefits
• Using the space for emotional regulation
• Touchstones as portable reminders of safety
• Recognising objects that already serve as touchstones
• Importance of awareness and observation in identifying touchstones
• Utilising Resources for Grounding
• Examples of resources: lava lamps, messages, certain sounds
• Strategies for implementing these resources in daily life