Life is a constant ebb and flow of experiences—some smooth and easy, others challenging, stressful, or even overwhelming. These situations call for different ways of responding. How do we know how to act in these moments?
How we decide how to respond to what happens to us
In every moment, we’re responding to external stimuli—whether from everyday events, stress, or calm experiences. A loud noise, a physical touch, or something that grabs our attention are all examples of stimuli that our senses (eyes, ears, skin, etc.) pick up.
This information is sent to the brain, where it’s quickly interpreted. The brain determines if action is needed—perhaps in response to danger or stress—or if the situation is safe. The brain decides what type of response is required, such as creativity or relaxation, and sends signals to the body through the vagus nerve to determine how much energy should be released for that response.
Think of the brain as the CEO, setting the overall goals—whether it’s action, creativity, or relaxation. The vagus nerve, acting like the project manager, translates these broad directives into precise actions, determining how much energy each part of the body needs to meet the brain’s goal. Whether the body needs a light activation or a full surge of energy, it is the role of the vagus nerve to determine exactly how much is required.
Why Vagus Nerve proficiency matters
If the vagus nerve isn’t proficient in regulating energy, it can either release too little energy—leading to withdrawal or shutdown, or a freeze response —or too much, which can push us into fight or flight response.
The vagus nerve’s ability to fine-tune this process is essential for staying responsive and balanced, ensuring that the right amount of energy is applied at the right time.
If the vagus nerve is well-practiced in this regulation, it becomes proficient at adjusting energy levels for any situation. It doesn’t need to rehearse every specific scenario, just like a general manager doesn’t need to practice each type of project—they’ve mastered the skill of knowing what’s needed in the moment.
How to keep the vagus nerve sharp
To keep the vagus nerve sharp and in top form, it needs regular “training” through various practices. This ensures it remains effective at applying the right amount of energy for any situation.
It’s a bit like preparing for the “tough moments” in advance, so they don’t throw you off as easily. The goal is for the vagus nerve to be skilled in reading situations and applying the right amount of energy for each one. Once it’s “sharp,” it can apply that skill across any scenario without needing extra practice on the specifics. It’s about building the overall proficiency of regulating energy.
Activities like play, social connection, and mind-body practices offer an ideal environment for building and honing this skill.
How Plex/Play is a great way to keep sharp
Plex, with its emphasis on expanding your horizons through playful ways, is an excellent tool for keeping your vagus nerve finely tuned. Play is low-stakes and voluntary, allowing us to practice energy regulation without the pressure of needing an exact outcome. Whether it’s engaging in creative activities, physical play, or social interactions, these playful experiences provide the vagus nerve with opportunities to “fine-tune” energy regulation. Play helps us practice being present and responsive to shifting energy demands, without the stress of having to get it right every time.
Play helps train us to release just the right amount of activation energy in real-time, teaching us how to shift our energy between engagement and rest, creativity and relaxation, as needed. By practicing in playful scenarios, we strengthen the vagus nerve’s ability to calibrate the energy levels needed for any situation. In this way, Plex is not just about having fun—it’s a tool for building resilience and sharpening our ability to regulate energy, making us more capable of handling life’s ups and downs.
Key Takeaways:
- Energy Regulation in Daily Life: Our body constantly responds to external stimuli, with the brain guiding our responses and the vagus nerve adjusting energy levels accordingly. A balanced response is essential for staying engaged and relaxed in various situations.
- Importance of Vagus Nerve Proficiency: A well-regulated vagus nerve helps maintain a balanced energy response, preventing extremes like shutdown or fight-or-flight reactions. The more proficient the vagus nerve is at fine-tuning energy, the better we can adapt to challenges.
- Training the Vagus Nerve: Like any skill, energy regulation needs consistent practice to stay sharp. Regular activities that challenge us in low-stakes environments help train the vagus nerve to respond appropriately in real-world situations.
- Plex as a Training Tool: Plex, through play and creative experiences, provides a perfect setting to practice energy regulation. By engaging in playful activities, we learn to adjust our energy—between engagement and rest, creativity and relaxation—helping us handle stress and challenges effectively.
- Play Builds Resilience: Plex isn’t just about having fun—it’s a way to build emotional and mental resilience, preparing us for the ups and downs of life by teaching us how to stay responsive and balanced in varying situations.
