Helping Children Catch your Calm with Nervous System Co-Regulation
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren explores the importance of adult emotional regulation when navigating children’s challenging behaviors. She emphasizes that outbursts aren’t personal—they’re rooted in a dysregulated nervous system. By staying calm and composed, adults can create a sense of safety that allows children to begin co-regulating. Lauren shares practical strategies like pausing before responding, reframing the moment, and using grounding techniques to manage your own emotional state. She reminds us that regulation doesn’t mean you aren’t frustrated—it means choosing not to let that frustration lead.
Resources:
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Chaos to Connection
- Part 2: Behavior isn't the Problem
- Part 1: Behavior isn't the Problem
- Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
- Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
- Behavior Breakthrough
- Policing Under Pressure
- Board Governance Training
- University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Chaos to Connection
Returning to Us
Today Lauren is setting the stage for a new series that encourages a shift from managing behavioral chaos to building meaningful connections, especially in classrooms. Lauren uses examples from her personal experience to illustrate how the idea of connection as biologically essential and the foundation for all emotional regulation shows up in the real world.
Lauren offers simple, practical routines to foster connection: consistent morning greetings, regular emotional check-ins, and environmental cues like soft lighting and cozy corners. She also suggests using humor or music during transitions to create moments of connection. These practices send safety signals to the brain, making regulation and re-direction more effective. Over time, small, consistent changes can reduce dysregulation and help children feel more secure and supported.
Try it at Home Tip: Choose one connection ritual for the age group you work with and implement it in your classroom.
Click here to sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Program
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Part 2: Behavior isn't the Problem
- Part 1: Behavior isn't the Problem
- Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
- Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
Our Online Programs:
- Behavior Breakthrough
- Policing Under Pressure
- Board Governance Training
- Behavior Breakthrough Online Summer Course
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Part 2: Behavior isn't the Problem
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren continues exploring the connection between behavior and the nervous system, focusing on the stress responses known as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. She encourages us to look beyond the surface of behaviors like hitting, screaming, or shutting down and ask what’s driving them. These reactions aren’t choices—they’re subconscious responses to feeling unsafe.
Lauren breaks down how each state might show up in children: fight can look like defiance or aggression, flight might look like restlessness or avoidance, freeze can show up as silence or disconnection, and fawn often appears as people-pleasing or over-apologizing. Rather than correcting or controlling these behaviors, she urges adults to meet children where they are. Regulation must come before reasoning. When we name what we see, notice the cues, and respond with calm and care, we help children feel safe and can start to make change.
Resources:
Steven Porges- Polyvagal Theory
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Part 1: Behavior isn't the Problem
- Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
- Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
- Behavior Breakthrough
- Policing Under Pressure
- Board Governance Training
- Behavior Breakthrough Online Summer Course
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Part 1: Behavior isn't the Problem
Returning to Us
Behavior is a signal that we need to interpret, but it's not the problem. Lauren challenges us to stop and ask a different question when we see extreme behaviors: I wonder what happened that is driving this?
Lauren takes us through why traditional approaches that focus on controlling negative behaviors don't work. We need to shift our focus to address the root cause or the unmet needs. Instead of correcting behaviors, preventatively or reactively address the underlying cause.
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
- Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
- Behavior Breakthrough
- Policing Under Pressure
- Board Governance Training
- Behavior Breakthrough Online Summer Course
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the final stage of the Five Ives framework: Hive. This stage is all about meaningful connection—both personally and organizationally—after individuals have reached a more stable and grounded state. When someone enters the Hive stage, they often feel ready and energized to engage with others, to gather in community, and to offer support from a place of wholeness.
On a broader scale, Hive represents the capacity of organizations to truly serve and uplift others. The most powerful communities are built intentionally, often through informal, organic connection rather than rigid structure. Lauren and Jessica remind us to stay present, move slowly, and maintain healthy boundaries. And importantly, if something isn’t working—whether in your personal connections or your organizational efforts—don’t double down. Pause, reassess, and realign.
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the fourth stage of the Five Ives framework—Thrive. In the Thrive phase, individuals and organizations are aligned with their goals and truly "living the dream." Thriving looks like healthy communication and the ability to regulation emotions effectively. It builds on the healing work of earlier stages and emphasizes the importance of social connection for long-term well-being. At this stage, fulfillment, alignment, and meaningful relationships are at the core of sustained success.
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica walk us through the third stage of the Five Ives—Strive. They unpack what it means to be in the Strive phase, both for organizations and individuals. For organizations, a positive culture in this stage is built through intentional inclusion and collaboration at all levels, supported by transparent decision-making and guidance from external coaches. When people feel heard and informed, they’re more engaged and motivated to move forward.
Strive is about pacing yourself and setting smart, attainable micro-goals. Lauren and Jessica emphasize the importance of realistic, habit-based steps that support bigger, audacious dreams. Progress doesn’t have to be loud or fast—it just has to be steady and intentional. You are capable of big things—just keep it simple and stay consistent.
Resources:
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- What are the Five Ives?
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Returning to Us
Today Lauren and Jessica dive into the second stage of the Five Ives framework: Revive. After becoming more self-aware and stepping out of pure survival mode, the journey into Revive is all about beginning the slow, intentional process of healing. It’s not quick or flashy—in fact, healing is inherently soft, gentle, and gradual. This stage is about rewiring our brains and taking consistent micro-steps forward, both individually and as an organization.
They highlight five key areas—food, hydration, sleep, social interaction, and movement—as foundational to this healing process. Even simple actions like adding one nutritious food to your plate, drinking more water, or getting ten minutes of daily movement can make a real impact. For organizations, supporting Revive might look like offering meditation spaces, encouraging real breaks, or fostering safe spaces for social connection.
Resources:
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- What are the Five Ives?
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica reintroduce the Five Ives—Survive, Revive, Strive, Thrive, and Hive—and take a closer look at the first step: Survive. Many people are unknowingly stuck in a state of survival, shaped by trauma, chronic stress, the lingering effects of the pandemic, political unrest, and the constant stream of heavy information. Most don’t even realize they’re operating from this place, but the signs are clear: constant exhaustion, mood swings, avoidance, and a gut feeling that something just isn’t right.
Survival mode doesn’t stop with individuals—it shows up in organizations too. High turnover, disengagement, and burnout often indicate that an entire workplace is stuck in survival. When people within an organization are just trying to get by, the organization itself reflects that same struggle. But there’s hope. Whether you're an individual or part of a team, recognizing survival mode is the first step toward meaningful change—and you don’t have to stay stuck. We can help.
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- What are the Five Ives?
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What are the Five Ives?
Returning to Us
Lauren and Jessica, education professionals and creators of the Five Ives program, walk us through their journey to starting the Five Ives. Witnessing students' disruptive behaviors as trauma responses, they realized their lack of training. Years of watching students' trauma responses expressed as negative behaviors revealed a broader issue: burnout among those working in flawed systems. This prompted Jessica and Lauren to take a deep dive into ways to support frontline workers and foster trauma-informed organizations.
They introduce the Five Ives framework for well-being: Survive (self-awareness), Revive (self-care and regulation), Strive (intentional growth), Thrive (engaged and regulated work), and Hive (helping others and connecting). Five Ives aims to create sustainable, trauma-informed organizational transformation through these stages.
Resources:
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
- Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
- Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
- What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
- A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
- Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
- Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
- Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps
Our Online Programs:
Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
- Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
- Five Ives Website website
- The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Oxytocin: Your Brain’s Natural Balancer
Returning to Us
In this episode of the Returning to Us Podcast, Lauren announces the show’s move to the Five IVES website and wraps up the nervous system series with a look at hormones. Cortisol and Adrenaline—our “stress squad”—can throw us off balance, but Oxytocin, the “love hormone,” helps restore calm and bring us back into our Window of Tolerance.
Lauren shares simple, science-backed ways to boost Oxytocin—like hugs, eye contact, and laughter—that support mood, sleep, and nervous system regulation. She reminds us that while hormones impact how we feel, they don’t have to take over. Small, mindful actions can help us reclaim calm and clarity.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try it at home tip: Try any of the tips suggested in the last few episodes about nervous system regulation.
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Understandig Heart Rate Vulnerability: Tools for a More Regulated Nervous System
- From Stuck to Safe: A Deeper Dive to Rewiring Your Nervous System After Freeze & Fawn
- Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Understanding Heart Rate Vulnerability: Tools for a More Regulated Nervous System
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren dives into the importance of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and how it reflects the state of your nervous system. She shares seven practical ways to support and improve HRV—like cold water exposure, humming, singing, rhythm, eye movement, laughter, caring touch, and play-based activities. Her message is clear: if you're feeling tired or overwhelmed, your nervous system is asking for help. The good news? You now have some simple tools to support it. Don't worry about being perfect—just aim for progress.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Resources:
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- From Stuck to Safe: A Deeper Dive to Rewiring Your Nervous System After Freeze & Fawn
- Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
From Stuck to Safe: A Deeper Dive to Rewiring Your Nervous System After Freeze & Fawn
Returning to Us
If you’ve ever felt frozen in stress or stuck in people-pleasing mode, you’re not alone. But knowing why you freeze or fawn is just the first step—the real transformation comes from learning how to shift into safety and resilience.
Your nervous system isn’t meant to stay stuck—it’s designed to adapt. And with the right tools, you can start creating a sense of safety from the inside out.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Pick one small way to practice nervous system flexibility from some of the options provided in this episode.
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)
- Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
- Rhythms That Regulate
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Hacking our Biology to Respond to Impulsive Behaviors
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)
Returning to Us
Ever felt completely stuck in the face of stress—unable to act, speak, or even think clearly? Or do you find yourself saying “yes” just to avoid conflict, even when you don’t want to? These are nervous system responses—freeze and fawn—and they’re not just habits, but survival strategies.
In this episode, we’re breaking down:
-Why freeze happens in two different ways (and why it matters)
- How fawning keeps you stuck in people-pleasing mode
-Simple, actionable steps to shift out of these patterns
Your nervous system isn’t broken—it’s doing what it was designed to do. But with the right tools, you can teach it a new way forward.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip:
Think about if you are a sympathetic freezer, a parasympathetic freezer, or a fawner and think of one micro practice you can integrate when either you feel it and you're reacting to it or to prevent it from happening.
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
- Rhythms That Regulate
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Can Play REALLY Help You to Regulate?
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren explores the concept of play as a powerful tool for nervous system regulation. While we often associate play with childhood, she reminds us it's just as vital for adults. Whether you're playing with your kids, goofing around with friends, or engaging in creative or physical activities, play helps shift your brain out of a reactive state. It stimulates feel-good chemicals, calms the body, and promotes connection.
Lauren highlights that laughter, often a byproduct of play, isn't just fun—it’s therapeutic. It can reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, stimulate the vagus nerve, and act like a reset button in times of stress. She breaks adult play into four categories: movement, creative, social, and solo play, encouraging us to consciously find space for it in our lives. Whether you're dancing, painting, joking with a friend, or simply getting lost in a hobby, play is a nervous system superpower we all have access to.
Resources:
Lindsey Gurk
365 Days of Art
Wreck This Journal
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
- Rhythms That Regulate
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Daily Habits for a Healthy Nervous System
Returning to Us
In today’s episode, Lauren continues her discussion on the nervous system, highlighting simple, effective rituals to support regulation throughout the day. By focusing on small, manageable practices instead of drastic changes, she makes consistency easier. She shares practical ways to incorporate these habits into your morning, midday, and evening routine.
Try it at home tip: Pick one practice to try from the list of things Lauren mentioned in today's episode.
Resources:
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Creating Rituals, Routines, and Habits: The How To of Preventative Self-Care
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
- Rhythms That Regulate
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Polyvagal Theory- What in the world is it and why should I care?
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Tiny Habits: Get Into Nature
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren explores the powerful connection between nature and nervous system regulation. Spending time outdoors can lower cortisol levels, activate the vagus nerve, improve heart rate variability, and heighten sensory awareness.
Lauren shares practical ways to incorporate nature into daily life, even with a busy schedule. Simple habits like taking your morning coffee outside, finding green spaces for micro-nature breaks, and engaging your senses by walking barefoot on grass or listening to birds can have a significant impact.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try it at home tip: Find one way to incorporate nature into your routine and notice how it feels after you've done it a few times.
Resources:
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Rhythms That Regulate
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Polyvagal Theory- What in the world is it and why should I care?
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Tiny Habits: Get Into Nature
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Rhythms That Regulate
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren delves deeper into nervous system regulation, exploring how rhythm can be a powerful tool for finding your window of tolerance—both reactively and proactively. She explains how engaging with steady, predictable rhythms activates a state of safety, calm, and social connection. Plus, she shares practical ways to incorporate rhythm into your daily life.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Try one of the rhythmic activities Lauren suggests: Take a walk outside while listening to calming music, gently sway or rock, drum or tap, and listen to binaural beats or isochronic tones.
Resources:
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Sounds That Heal
- Polyvagal Theory- What in the world is it and why should I care?
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Power of Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm Your Nervous System
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren continues to explore ways to reset the nervous system. Today, she talks specifically about using cold exposure to activate the vagus nerve to promote calm and build resilience. She shares a handful of cold exposure methods and suggests starting small and focusing on controlled breathing and finding a place of calm. Under 5 minutes of cold exposure provides the most benefit!
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Try one of the cold exposure options Lauren discussed!
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
- Polyvagal Theory- What in the world is it and why should I care?
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Manage Your Stress or it will Manage You
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset Your System
Returning to Us
Today, we're diving into the power of breath—but with a twist. You've probably heard about deep belly breathing or box breathing, but what about humming, sighing, or even yawning as breathwork? In this episode, we’ll explore non-traditional breathwork techniques that help regulate the nervous system in gentle, accessible ways.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Try one of the techniques from the episode!
References:
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- Polyvagal Theory- What in the world is it and why should I care?
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Manage Your Stress or it will Manage You
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Polyvagal Theory - what in the world is it and why should I care?
Returning to Us
So, what is Polyvagal Theory? This theory was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, and it helps us understand how our nervous system shapes the way we experience the world—especially in terms of safety, connection, and stress.
Now do you see why you might care?
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Try one of the techniques from the episode!
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Manage Your Stress or it will Manage You
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Vagus Nerve: The Key to Calm
Returning to Us
Today we’re diving into one of the most fascinating parts of your nervous system: the vagus nerve. Often called the body’s "superhighway of calm," the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating your stress response and overall well-being. From chaos to calm - here we go!
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Try one of these vagal nerve toning tips this week!
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Manage Your Stress or it will Manage You
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How Stress Changes Your Brain and Body
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren dives into how prolonged stress impacts the brain and body. She explains how chronic or traumatic stress rewires key areas of the brain—such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus—shifting us into survival mode and making it harder to thrive. The effects extend to the body, as ongoing stress floods our system with stress hormones, disrupting vital systems like the cardiovascular, immune, musculoskeletal, and hormonal networks. She also shares actionable strategies to reset your nervous system and reduce stress.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Download a breathwork, mindfulness, or meditation app
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
References:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Podcast:
- The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Manage Your Stress or it will Manage You
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren dives into the profound impact of our hyper-connection to technology on our nervous system and explores how we can reclaim regulation through a digital detox. Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and exposure to screens can fragment focus, disrupt sleep, and increase stress hormones, all of which negatively impact mental health. Lauren highlights that recognizing signs like trouble concentrating, increased anxiety, sleep issues, and a sense of disconnection are key indicators that it’s time to reevaluate our digital habits.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
Try at Home Tip: Create a micro morning routine.
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids
Podcast:
- Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- Sounds That Heal
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- Fight or Flight
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- Understanding Behavior and Regulating It
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
Returning to Us
In this episode, Lauren delves deeper into the significance of expanding and maintaining your Window of Tolerance. She shares practical strategies to help you identify when you've stepped outside your Window of Tolerance and introduces evidence-based techniques that can be applied both proactively and reactively to guide you back into a state of regulation.
If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.
References:
Dr Don Wood Instagram
Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
- Polyvagal Theory
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids
Podcast:
- Micro Changes Macro Results
- Sounds That Heal
- I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
- Fight or Flight
- 5 Ives episode
- Window of Tolerance
- A Sequence for Emotional Regulation
- Understanding Behavior and Regulating It
Our Online Courses:
- Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
- From Conflict to Calm: How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
- 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving
Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
- Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
- Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
- Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children
- The Behavior Hub website
- The Behavior Hub blog
Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Helping Children Catch your Calm with Nervous System Co-Regulation
20:52
Chaos to Connection
22:10
Part 2: Behavior isn't the Problem
17:28
Part 1: Behavior isn't the Problem
21:05
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
27:57
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
22:35
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
39:14
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
39:53
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
33:55
What are the Five Ives?
31:47
Oxytocin: Your Brain’s Natural Balancer
17:47
Understanding Heart Rate Vulnerability: Tools for a More Regulated Nervous System
31:08
From Stuck to Safe: A Deeper Dive to Rewiring Your Nervous System After Freeze & Fawn
31:29
Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)
23:37
Can Play REALLY Help You to Regulate?
24:24
Daily Habits for a Healthy Nervous System
23:37
Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
21:38
Rhythms That Regulate
16:15
The Power of Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm Your Nervous System
25:14
Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset Your System
24:20
Polyvagal Theory - what in the world is it and why should I care?
32:36
Vagus Nerve: The Key to Calm
25:33
How Stress Changes Your Brain and Body
34:43
The Link Between Technology and Nervous System Dysregulation
20:09
Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
25:23