Working with the Autonomic Nervous System – Part C
Engaging the Autonomic Nervous System enables healthy psychological functioning with good Affect Regulation.
This is achieved by recognising how the Autonomic Nervous System is reacting, with the visceral sensations. .
With stress and anxiety, the sympathetic ANS response triggers a flight/ fight reaction. It's the work of Deb Dana an American psychotherapist who coined the terms "Glimmers" and "Anchors", whereby, with recognising positive experiences in our day, we can anchor ourselves in the Ventral Vagal system, lifting our mood. Glimmers are where we see and remember the feelings associated with pleasant experiences, ie using our Social Engagement System, whereby the Ventral Vagus Nerve is stimulated and our heart rate and breathing is regulated, triggering a parasympathetic response.
In therapy recognising those Glimmers enable the client to create Anchors as their story unfolds. This helps develop resilience.
As Christians, our resilience is developed spiritually, by how God helps us through the storms of this life, as we learn to trust in him. The verse below speak of water and fire as metaphors for how God tells us he is with us through these life storms.
"When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Isaiah 43.2 (NIV).
All Bible quotations are from the NIV.
Susie Scott Kydd. Copyright 2025