The science tells me why – and I’m listening to it. In the Polyvagal Theory, your gas pedal is the “Sympathetic System” (worst name ever for the stress zone.) Your action state – it helps us mobilise and ramp up for action. Your tummy tenses, your heart pumps and your in breath gears you up for action as the in-breath spikes the heart rate. It’s a great buzz – but it’s like revving the car, good to do at times, but in moderation. 🏎️

Your brake is what’s called the “Ventral Vagal System” where you slow yourself down. The vagus nerve zips signals between your brain and your organs, keeping everything running smoothly. It is the longest cranial nerve in your body, stretching from your brainstem down to your abdomen, with pit stops at your heart, lungs, and digestive system. You know your vagus nerve is working its magic when you feel that warm, fuzzy feeling when you hug someone you love. Or that deep sigh of relief after you come out of an exam or a high stakes meeting. 🤗

But Polyvagal Theory suggests that when we keep the gas pedal pressed down to the point of exhaustion the body decides to pull on the handbrake and we go into the “Dorsal Vagal System.” Essentially, extreme stress triggers shutdown, withdrawal, exhaustion and burnout. That feeling of not being able to get out of bed, or to stop scrolling, or feeling constantly distracted, flat. We become like a mouse playing dead. 😩

I’m feeling on the edge of this zone right now but I know that with awareness we can all shift from the gas pedal quickly.

A sigh out, a hum, a deep breath— these can all move us from mobilisation to calm.

Try it now: take two quick breaths in, then sigh it out, letting go. Feel the shift? That’s your body reclaiming balance. Tell yourself you are safe, let your body let go. 😮‍💨

This week, practise noticing your own stress signals and experiment with your inner brake. For me a holiday is a good start and as breath is the master key to the system I’ve signed up for a breath work facilitator training starting in the autumn (pic from a workshop recently below.) It will add a whole new layer to my work, and I’m excited about it.

I’ve also decided to take a sabbatical from December 2025 to the end of Feb 2026 to let new ideas root and grow. Can’t wait for what comes.

In the meantime have a wonderful spring break when it comes! 🌻☀️🐝

See you at the end of April. 

Caroline. x

P.s – The Chinese version of Find Your Voice has just been published! And can be found on the following sites:

Google Books

Taoboa

You can also find it on Amazon UK and Amazon.com