Where Do You Go? Asses Your Nervous System

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Quiz Questions

1.
Which of these sensations and feelings are most familiar to you?
- A.
  Tense, anxious, unable to relax
- B.
  Calm, present, connected
- C.
  Numb, hopeless, disconnected
- D.
  Trapped and overwhelmed
2.
How do you typically spend your weekends?
- A.
  There's a lot to get done. I structure everything and I usually feel the need to get everything done at once.
- B.
  I don't look forward to the weekends. I feel hopeless and alone, I tend to zone out and go through the motions.
- C.
  I'm exhausted from doing nothing. I spend time trying to figure out what to get done but don't seem to be able to start.
- D.
  I make time to rest and nourish myself based on what I need. I go with the flow, I connect and relish in the present.
3.
How do you feel when tackling a new task?
- A.
  I feel like I'm moving on high-speed and yet I don't get anything done.
- B.
  I go at a pace that's right for me. I feel present and capable.
- C.
  I'm being pulled in so many different directions. I can't rest and I rush to get them done.
- D.
  I just can't get started. It's all too much and I just want to go to sleep.
4.
When you are experiencing conflict in your relationship, how do you deal with it?
- A.
  I shut down and I rather not talk about it and move on.
- B.
  I get very anxious and want to keep on talking about it. I'll do whatever to keep peace, including shutting down my truth.
- C.
  I freeze up, there's a part of me that wants to get close and another wants to push away. It's confusing.
- D.
  I understand disagreements happen and trust it will be ok. We will reconnect again once we're more regulated.
5.
Reflecting on your relationships, how do you typically feel?
- A.
  I like being close, and I also appreciate space.
- B.
  I only feel comfortable when we are close. I get anxious, afraid that things will end.
- C.
  I feel more comfortable being alone. I find closeness challenging and I prefer my own space.
- D.
  I want people close, but not too close. I feel the urge to push them away when they get too close
6.
Which of these experiences is most familiar to you?
- A.
  I am on overdrive. I have too much energy in my body. I have a hard time relaxing and slowing down.
- B.
  I don't have enough energy in my body. I tend to feel shut down, and uninterested, like I can't do anything.
- C.
  I feel a lot of energy in my body and yet I feel stuck, unable to get started.
- D.
  I have just the right amount of energy in my body. I feel capable and able.
7.
Which of these thought patterns are most familar to you?
- A.
  What's the point? It's all hopeless and impossible. I feel defeated and alone.
- B.
  I have to do this now! There's no time to slow down.
- C.
  I have so much to do and I don't know where to start. I have to do this, but I am too tired, but this needs to get done, but I can't.
- D.
  I have a curious mind. I feel capable, able, and content. I trust my capabilities to navigate challenges.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Ventral Central
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Based on your answers, it seems you often find yourself in a state of social engagement, connection, and safety. Being in this state is signaled by the "I can" thought pattern. This can appear in a range of experiences such as: This is nice, pleasantI feel safe to connect with myself, others, and the world around meI’m grounded in my truth and connected to othersI’m in flow or exploring with childlike wonderI’m curious about my experience and othersI feel content and presentVentral is like a happy and healthy state where you feel safe, connected, and anchored. You can still feel sadness or grief, but you're present and accepting of your emotions. This is the state where you want to spend most of your time for your overall well-being. In saying that, it's normal to sometimes switch states when you feel unsafe or stressed. This is your system doing its job to keep you safe, like a security alarm going off. It is common for past experiences to still be "triggering" your protective state. To gain more directions of your experience, we need to show our protective parts, not just tell them, that we're safe.There are tools and exercises in the free worksheet linked below, to help you practice feeling safe and anchored. Start small: do tiny things that make you feel a bit calmer and more connected.
2.
Sympathetic Surge
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Ever get that racing heart, worried mind, or "gotta go!" feeling? That's your Sympathetic state. It's like a built-in alarm, a super old (300 million years!) friend that jumps in when it senses danger. Think of it as a caveman yelling, "Danger! Fight or flee!Here's what it can look like:Worried, stressed, annoyedOn edge, can't relaxOverwhelmed, buzzing energyConstant anxiety, even panic or angerTense muscles, racing thoughtsFeeling like you have to control everythingRunning out of time, always rushedWhy does this happen? It's not your fault! Your system just wants to keep you safe. It remembers past dangers and wants to protect you from anything similar, even if you're safe now. It's like that caveman still hears saber-toothed tigers in every rustle!So how do you calm Sympathetic's alarm? You show it, not just tell it, that you're okay. Think of it like whispering reassurances instead of yelling back. You do this by taking small steps towards calm and connection.Remember, even tiny steps count! Your protective system is here to help, even if it feels uncomfortable. You're not alone in this, and there are ways to find the calm within the storm. Download the guide below, be kind to yourself, and take gentle steps towards regulation.
3.
Dorsal Downtime
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Feel numb, drained, or disconnected? You might be experiencing Dorsal, your self-protective state of quiet shutdown. It's an ancient (500 million years old!) safeguard that kicks in when your system feels overwhelmed and says, "There's no fight, flight, or fix. Let's shut down to avoid the pain."While it might feel uncomfortable, remember: It's a beautiful, adaptive response. Team Dorsal protected you when you couldn't fight or flee.It's not your fault. Your system is simply trying to keep you safe.Being in Dorsal can feel like:Blah, numb, or in a funkExhausted all the timeHopeless and depressedDissociated, out of your bodyDisconnected from others and the worldBut you can shift gears. Even though you feel stuck, Dorsal listens to actions, not just words. Show it you're safe by taking small steps towards calm and connection.Below, you will find resources, gentle exercises, and activities to help you feel grounded, present, and connected. Start small. Even tiny steps, like spending time in nature or listening to calming music, count. Be patient and kind to yourself. Healing takes time, so trust the process.Remember: You're not alone. Dorsal is just trying to protect you. With gentle care and support, you can find your way back to feeling good, present, and connected. Dorsal is a powerful ally, even if it feels unpleasant. You have the power to shift gears and find your way back to calm and connection. Be gentle with yourself, take small steps, and don't hesitate to reach out for help.
4.
Freeze Fancy
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Ever feel stuck like a deer in headlights? That's your nervous system playing tricks on you! Sometimes, it gets confused and mixes "gotta fight!" with "shut down and hide!" This creates a weird mix of panic and paralysis, Freeze.Think of it like this: Racing heart, worried thoughts? That's your fight/flight alarm, Sympathetic. Feeling numb, hopeless, stuck? That's your hide-and-seek alarm, Dorsal.When these two mix, you get Freeze, which can feel like:I want to run, but my legs won't moveMy brain is on fire, but I can't make a decisionThere's so much energy stuck inside, I feel like a pressure cookerEverything feels impossible, so I just stopBut this isn't your fault! Your nervous system is just trying to keep you safe, even if it feels awful.And the good news? You can unfreeze!The free guide below is filled with tips to calm your mind and body.Start small: take a deep breath, go for a walk, talk to a friend.Be gentle with yourself: healing takes time, so celebrate every baby step.Remember: Freeze is a powerful response, but it doesn't have to control you. You're not alone! We all get stuck sometimes. With a little care and support, you can break free and feel good again.Listen to your body. A warm bath, a good movie, or some time in nature can work wonders for melting away the Freeze. Take a deep breath, and begin your journey back to feeling anchored.