Episode 46: Polyvagal Theory Explained: Why Your Nervous System Blocks Healing (Especially During the Holidays)

Have you ever walked into a family gathering and felt your chest tighten before anyone even spoke? That isn’t emotional weakness, it’s your nervous system scanning the environment for safety. In today’s episode, Dr. Joshua Sharp breaks down Polyvagal Theory in simple, practical terms and explains how your autonomic nervous system determines whether your body can heal… or whether it needs to protect you.

You’ll learn:
• Why your body shifts into fight-or-flight or shutdown even when nothing is “wrong”
• How chronic illness (Lyme, mold toxicity, MCAS, POTS, gut issues) gets worse when your body doesn’t feel safe
• Why holidays and family gatherings trigger old stress patterns
• How community, church, connection, and worship activate the ventral vagal healing state
• Simple tools to prepare your nervous system and avoid burnout this season
• A biblical view of healing in community and why isolation makes everything worse

If you want to understand how to regulate your nervous system, improve your stress response, and unlock deeper healing, this episode will help you in a powerful way.

📌 Recommended Episode:
“Who’s in Charge?”  A deeper look at how your autonomic nervous system runs your life.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discover-health-podcast/id1794162942?i=1000708950576

💬 Question for You:
Do you tend to go into fight-or-flight or shutdown during stressful seasons? Comment below — I’d love to hear your experience.

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👍 Like & share this with someone who struggles during the holidays.
🙏 Merry Christmas, and may this season bring peace, connection, and healing.