Safe + Sound Protocol

In the Free Intro Course on the gloWithin App, you learn that 9 of our 12 Craniosacral nerves innervate our senses to help us determine whether we are in a safe space and can respond with our parasympathetic system (rest, digest, socialize), or should mobilize and respond sympathetically (fight, flight). This sensory stimuli travels through our Vagus Nerve (10th Craniosacral Nerve) via neurotransmitters to our organs. If we are in a restful state, we can breathe more deeply, digest nutrients fully, be present in our bodies, and access our higher brain functioning.

The Vagus Nerve is a bi-way, bringing information from our organs to our brain, to further influence our state, thus being able to breath deeply can reinforce a calm state. We have several access points to nourish our nervous system; visual stimuli, taste, scent, and sound.

Both scent and sound are developed early in utero, and our mothers voice and other sounds offer us cues around safety. Each day we continue to scan our environment subconsciously with our senses, to determine how to respond.

This is of great importance now, particularly as many are residing in a predominantly sympathetic state. This results in poor digestion & sleep, brain fog, forgetfulness, anxiety, depression, and ultimately burnout. Those who have a highly sensitive nervous system (potentially with a neurodiverse diagnosis), typically have a narrower window of tolerance and struggle with all the stimuli in our world today. Those who have experienced trauma or inherited generational trauma, are also on higher alert and have a more sensitive system in order to protect themselves. Both highly sensitive and neurodiverse souls can be more prone to anxiety, depression, and burnout.