Greetings, Reader!
We have a lot of idioms in the English language that describe the tipping point between something that is manageable and the moment it becomes too much, such as, "the last straw," or "the straw that broke the camel's back."
I was listening to an interview with Brene Brown on the 10% Happier podcast, and she was talking about the Above the Line/Below the Line concept. This framework is based on the premise that the nervous system is hardwired to monitor for threat, and when when we feel threatened, we react from a place of fear and protection, which changes the way we experience the world.
The line essentially marks the tipping point between being able to weather the storm and the last straw.
When we are above the line, we are curious, open, innovative, connected, and creative. When we encounter an obstacle or a challenge, we approach it as a learning opportunity because we have the resources needed to problem-solve, and we feel capable of meeting the challenge.
When we are below the line, we are in survival mode, and because we are not well-resourced, we are easily overwhelmed, protective, and reactive.
Can you relate, Reader?
Here's the thing about the nervous system that Brene didn't mention in her interview:
The nervous system learns and develops patterns to make it more efficient. We call this capacity to change neuroplasticity.
Neurons that fire together wire together, creating learned pathways that become self-sustaining. In other words, what you feed grows.
If you practice mindfulness, you will become more mindful because you will have done the reps to build your mindfulness "muscles."
If you practice gratitude, you will feel like you have more to be grateful for in your life, because your nervous system will learn to look for things to be grateful for.
⬇️ When you are well-resourced, neuroplasticity moves the line down and your capacity increases. This means it takes a heck of a lot more to push you below the line, making you more resilient and adaptable.
There is a reason the self-care gurus promote things like gratitude journals and mindfulness breaks, but that isn't what I'm here to talk about today.
What I want to talk about is what happens when we practice pain.
Although the interview was about the role of the nervous system in business and leadership, the core principle of threat, fear, and protection also forms the foundation of pain science.
We can actually reframe pain with this equation:
When we have pain that lasts for a long time, the nervous system, which is hardwired to look for danger, becomes hypervigilant which ramps up the fear response.
Because of neuroplasticity, the nervous system learns and becomes more efficient with practice so the longer we have pain, the more attuned we are to threat and fear, and the easier it becomes to activate the pain alarm.
This is not a conscious choice, but it is a very real neurological adaptation.
A healthy, resilient nervous system is flexible, and it takes a lot to activate the alarm.
A stressed, depleted nervous system has a very narrow bandwidth, and little things easily set it off. This is why people living with chronic pain can experience a flare doing something simple like cooking dinner or going to the store.
Because the nervous system is hardwired to protect us, chronic stress/pain/fatigue/overwhelm depletes our reserves and lowers the threshold of activation.
⬆️In other words, the line moves up and our tolerance decreases.
Because of neuroplasticity, the more time we spend above the line, the further away the line moves and the more capacity we will have.
The more time we spend below the line, the closer the line gets, and the less resilient we become.
One of the challenges I see in our current climate is that the stress feels pretty constant these days.
Almost everyone I know is under the line these days, or close to it.
I'm not here to tell you that a gratitude journal will solve all your problems (although it is probably true that it won't hurt).
But I do hope you think about where the line is in your life right now.
When you are above the line, practicing the things that help you be resilient will keep you there.
When you are under the line or close to the line of activation, you need even more rest and support. Trying to operate at capacity when we are under the line is impossible because we are in survival mode, and it is hard to thrive when you are just trying to survive.
Being clear about your capacity can also help you to set clear boundaries and priorities so you grow resilience instead of depletion.
Where is your line, Reader, and what do you need to move the line further away so you feel resourced, flexible, and hard to phase?
How about Restorative Yoga & Energy Healing this Afternoon?
Gather your coziest blankets and pillows and get ready for a practice that nourishes deep rest and renewal through seasonal, energy-balancing, nervous system-rejuvenating practices.
Need a Deeper Reset?
CranioSacral Therapy is a magical healing balm. Imagine feeling more rested than the deepest night sleep and the best savasana combined, and having that rest unwind your nervous system and heal your pain. It's really that magical. Experience it for yourself!
Need a different type of support? I am passionate about restoring nervous system resilience so we all have the support and capacity we need to live our lives fully and fulfill our purpose.
Wherever the line is right now in your life, I'm here to support you.
In love and solidarity,
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Rachel
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Integrative Pain Specialist
Build a resilient nervous system to help you flow through the seasons of your life with courage, wisdom, and compassion.
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Build new neural pathways with seasonally aligned practices that boost nervous system resilience.
Join us for the full 8-week fall series, or drop-in to any class in person (at Murmurations Aerial Dance Studio in Burlington, VT) and online.
PS: Want to practice with me on Thanksgiving Day and raise money to combat the injustice of food insecurity?
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