Dr. Kim’s Blog

Motivation + Inspiration

Talking to Children about Violence

Talking to Children about Violence

When violence happens, especially in a school shooting situation, children and parents can feel fearful and at risk. Knowing how to talk to a child can help ease their fear, give them a sense of personal control, and help them navigate the uncertainty that comes with high profile acts of violence. 

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The Ventral Vagal System

The Ventral Vagal System

The ventral vagus helps us to feel connected, safe, and able to access our prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain that can think clearly and make decisions)

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The Dorsal Vagal System

The Dorsal Vagal System

The dorsal vagus is a nerve that is common in all mammals. Normally, it’s helpful in regulating between your arousal and relaxation. When stress is unrelenting, however, the dorsal vagus kicks in to help us freeze. It’s the system of shutdown.

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The Vagus Nerve and Stress

The Vagus Nerve and Stress

It’s a fallacy to think we can stay in regulation all the time. Life is a series of ups and downs. Normalcy is moving between all of these states and the first step is knowing how our vagus nerve reacts to stress.

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