Comment by sa-code | Hacker News Reader

Comment by sa-code | Hacker News Reader

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This is a bit out there but I read some books on polyvagal theory that suggested I could induce the "rest & digest" state by leaning into and completing the "fight or flight" and "shutdown" states. There are many nervous system calming techniques that help e.g. rubbing my coat hanger area (if you draw a coat hanger between your neck and shoulders on the front & back), chanting om or making sighing noises, and taking long hot showers to name a few

Yoga nidra (sleep meditation) has been quite helpful.

What really helped is also performing nervous system calming techniques not only at rest, but slowly when I walk around as well when I was able. Got the idea from Becca Kennedy who just posted this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFtWx1YvM

The downside is that a lot of people are out to take your money when you read about this. I'm skeptical of brain retaining courses. I trust Deb Dana's books

Calming the sympathicus is one of the very few things that somewhat works for me. It helps to relax and get good sleep.

One technique I'll add to the list: skin massage (literally pinching it with your fingers) around the sympathicus area: along the lower ribs, up the sternum and into a V-shape around the neck (roughly following the collarbones). The nerve endings on the skin literally stimulate the sympathetic system, allowing it to "reset". I don't know the exact mechanism, but I can vouch for it actually working.

That's really interesting. Did you learn about this somewhere or was it more by yourself?

I learned about it from a physical therapist. This seems to be old knowledge that was somewhat widespread (in the german-speaking world at least), then discredited in modernity as medicine was looking to be more evidence-based, and is now making a slow comeback.

NB: I have nothing against evidence-based medicine. But our bodies are much weirder than the high modernists were willing to admit.

I wonder if the opposite works, heavy weight lifting?

Pushing heavy weights is very taxing on the nervous system and kicks it into gear to start the process of growth.

I'd be careful with strenuous exercise, it may cause PEM. See comments below.

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