Politics and Your Nervous System

It's a shared experience to feel the heat of political discussions, whether from the news or conversations with loved ones. This emotional response is a clear signal that something needs attention. It's not just someone else's problem; it's a common struggle because who wants to spend their life in a constant state of anger, fear, and emotional turmoil?

When there is an overreaction to anything, it's not just the situation; it's also about your past and what lives in your nervous system. You might believe that one politician will ruin your life and the country will go to hell, and you feel this in your body's core. But remember, it's not just someone else's problem; it's yours.

Let me tell you how I know this.

My journey through years of therapy has led me to a profound understanding. While undoubtedly real, these intense emotions and reactions often have deeper origins.

During our formative years, events leave a lasting impression on us, which our brain stores. When our nervous system reacts with fight, flight, or freeze, the brain recalls its past responses. It uses them as a reference for similar situations in the future. These references, or 'snapshots, 'accumulate over time, forming neural pathways that dictate our responses. As these responses occur, we develop coping strategies, self-beliefs, and worldviews bundled into a single neural pathway response. It depends on the neural pathways I have preset how I will respond to issues in our culture.

Maybe a candidate looks or sounds like someone who hurt you, perhaps you had an abortion, and so anything around the topic is riddled with that life experience. Possibly, you grew up in a conservative household and had a terrible relationship with your parents, so you push for anything different. Perhaps, with the constant bombardment of news and information through the 24-hour news cycle, you are being told things about the world and environment that scare you. This continuous exposure can contribute to intense emotional responses. All our choices are a giant conglomeration of our life experiences, nervous system patterns at play, and what we choose to read and listen to.

Worldview bias, a term that refers to the influence of our personal experiences and beliefs on our perception of the world, is a critical factor in shaping our emotional responses to political discussions. It's determined by how you grew up, what tragedies have befallen you, and what news you ingest. For example, suppose you've had negative experiences with authority figures. In that case, you might be more likely to react negatively to political leaders. This bias, formed by our unique life experiences, significantly influences our emotional responses to political discussions.

None of what I am saying means we should not be passionate about things in our culture. It's okay to care deeply. However, responding to the point of rage and violence is not in anyone's best interest. It's about finding a balance in our passion.

There is hope if you're tired of living in an anger-driven fear state around certain things happening in our country. You can live in a more calm, balanced, and centered mind.

Embarking on a journey of emotional regulation and achieving a more balanced state of mind is not just a possibility; it's within your reach. Somatic therapy, which delves into the roots of your issues, offers a hopeful path for transformation and growth.

I can help you find neutrality in this ever-radicalized world of divisiveness.

Consultations online and in person are always free.