Nervous System State Checker
Identify your autonomic response to stress.
Enter your details to check state.
How to Use the Nervous System Checker
Your body reacts to stress in predictable ways. This tool analyzes your physiological and emotional signals to determine which survival mode you are in.
- Check Vitals: Input your heart and breathing rate.
- Scan Body: Are you tense (Fight) or numb (Freeze)?
- Check Impulse: Do you want to punch a wall (Fight) or run away (Flight)?
- Get Strategy: Learn how to regulate your specific state.
The Polyvagal Ladder
We move up and down a ladder of nervous system states throughout the day.
- Ventral Vagal (Safe): Calm, connected, social.
- Sympathetic (Mobilized): Fight or Flight. High energy, danger detection.
- Dorsal Vagal (Immobilized): Freeze or Collapse. System shutdown to conserve energy.
Examples
Scenario A (Argument): High tension, high urge to act → State: FIGHT
Scenario B (Deadline): High HR, high urge to flee → State: FLIGHT
Scenario C (Overwhelm): Numbness, low HR, unable to move → State: FREEZE
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 stress responses?
Fight (aggression, action), Flight (avoidance, running away), and Freeze (numbness, dissociation, inability to move).
How do I get out of Freeze mode?
Movement is key. Gentle stretching, shaking your limbs, or walking can help discharge the stuck energy and bring you back to the present.
Why does my body react this way?
It's an evolutionary survival mechanism. Your amygdala detects a threat and hijacks your nervous system to keep you safe, even if the threat is just an email.