The Law of Assumption, Polyvagal Theory and the Autonomic Nervous System: How the ‘Isn’t it wonderful' technique works

Have you heard the apocryphal story of the Scottish engineer who, upon seeing the first working steam engine, declared:

'So I see it works in practise... but does it work in theory?'

I've been using visualisation and positive mental rehearsal techniques professionally for years and I know, through observation of my client's outcomes, that they work. However it's always good to discover more new research that explains exactly how and why they work.

Dr Hedva Haykin, an immunology researcher at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, is currently investigating the role of the brain region associated with positive emotions and motivation. It's called the ventral tegmental area (VTA).

Her work with mice has shown that stimulating the brain's positive emotion centre seems to trigger immune changes that help reduce damaging scar tissue in the heart. Now she is investigating just how this happens in order to help doctors understand how to harness the positive power of the mind.

Early results suggest, when activated, the VTA also transmits the powerful reward chemical dopamine into the brain's pain-producing area (the medial prefrontal cortex) making it a potential breakthrough in the field of pain management. With chronic pain, it's believed, the cortex can get 'stuck' in producing high levels of pain sensation.

These developments are all very exciting because. We are now starting to understand the molecular pathways involved in positive emotion at a microscopic level.

The idea of communication between the brain, the body and the immune system is something that scientists have had in their sights for more than 50 years and led to the development of field of psycho-neuro-immunology. However, the general public have, up until now, been resistant to the notion that physical health is due to what's happening in the brain and often think they're being told their physical problem is 'all in the mind'.

In my programmes Breathe Stress Away and Mindfulness Based Mind Management I demonstrate how resonant breathing and mindfulness practices improve vagal tone. Certainly the recent development of Polyvagal Theory by Dr Stephen Porges has given a clear insight into how we can influence the workings of our own Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and improve emotional resilience. It's all very encouraging and shows why those of us who work in the field of mental health and emotional wellbeing need to keep fully abreast of the theories now emerging through the new brain sciences. 

However, filling the theory-application gap is, as ever, the real challenge. Just how can use these exciting discoveries help our clients?

From my own work I have observed there is an easy way to activate the brain's VTA region... by communicating with the autonomic nervous system via positive visualisation.

Jill's story

Jill was pretty depressed when she turned up at my office.

There were definitely some stresses and strains in her life but none more than most other people go through; a bit of tension with her in laws, frustration about her lengthy things-to-do-list and a background niggle about mortgage rates rising.

However, when we looked more closely, it started to become apparent that Jill had a startlingly negative mind-set. Her inner dialogue was what we could certainly describe as 'unhelpful'. In fact from the moment she woke up in the morning, Jill was repeating various negative mantras like a stuck record. I asked her to tune into her inner voice and write down some of what it was saying to her. It was revealing;

Here we go again, just like Ground Hog Day

I'm getting fat, no self control

I can't believe she said that

Why didn't I speak up?

I'll never get all this done

OMG, what if we lose the house?

We should not be surprised that, when we talk to ourselves, we are listening and every thought we think has a potential physical reaction. I suggested a simple intervention to Jill that I thought could begin to help her immediately.

Isn't it wonderful

I asked Jill to end her day by by recalling all the good things, starting with the phrase  'Isn't it wonderful...'

She didn't need to write it down but she did need to list as many things as she could and, here's the important bit, she needed to feel the emotion of gratitude and joy that reflecting on those things triggered.

At several points during her day she might also prompt an inner dialogue such as 'Isn't it wonderful to sit here under this tree and hear the birds singing' or 'Isn't it wonderful to be enjoying this cup of coffee.' 

First thing in the morning I suggested she spend a few minutes visualising her happy life; vividly imagining  what that happy life looks like and, more importantly, what is feels like as though it is happening right now. In her imagination, she might look into a mirror and tell herself 'Isn't it wonderful.'

Finally, I suggested she write down any improvements she noticed as a result of doing this thought experiment and we would talk about them next week.

The Law of Assumption, Polyvagal Theory and the Autonomic Nervous System

Vividly imagining a wish-fulfilled has been given various names in the past like the Law of Attraction and Manifestation. It's not new and is favoured by such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey who practises consciously attracting desired outcomes into her life through focused intention and belief.

When the science reveals the underlying mechanisms involved in these practices, it all starts to get interesting. I've written many times about how the brains' Reticular Activating System is primed by engaging the imagination to visualise what life will look like when goals are achieved.

And, whilst the specific influence of Manifesting on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) may not have been extensively studied, we do know that positive visualisation can definitely impact the ANS through its effects on emotions, mindset, and subjective well-being.Positive visualisation involves seeing yourself with the desired outcome and, more importantly, cultivating the positive emotions that go alongside that. When practised with conviction this process has a profound effect on the emotional state, promoting feelings of hope and empowerment where previously there may have been despondency, depression or despair.

Positive emotions activate the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, particularly the ventral vagal system, associated with relaxation, social engagement, and well-being. As stress levels decrease with a positive and hopeful mind-set, sympathetic activation subsides, allowing the body to enter a more balanced state.

While all of this can have really positive effects on mind-set and wellbeing, it should however not be seen as a complete substitute for proactive actions to achieve desired goals and these practices are most effective when combined with actions aligned with intention. 

Bob

There's a well know story of Bob who wanted to win the Lottery. Every day Bob would fall to his knees and plead with the Universe:

'Please let me win the Lottery'

Every day was the same, until Bob's knees started to become really sore. Finally, in desperation he called out:

'For heaven's sake, when am I going to win the Lottery?'

At which point the clouds parted and a deep voice responded:

'Honestly Bob, do us all a favour...at least buy a raffle ticket!'

Just like Bob, Jill set her intention and started noticing all the wonderful things that were already part of her life but that she had previously ignored. Her negative inner dialogue was replaced with something much more hopeful and helpful to her wellbeing and her physiology. She reported sleeping better, having less aches and pains and generally felt her everyday life was just 'easier'. Even her things to do list didn't feel like such a problem.

Of course we had to do some work on the realities of her life and developed some SMART goals around her in-laws and the mortgage payments. That helped too.

A few sessions in, she turned up at my office having had a moment of insight:

'I've realised' she said 'that, if I keep focusing on the positives, one day when I am very old, I'll genuinely be able to look back on my life and say 'By and large, I've had a wonderful life...

And won't that be wonderful !'

 Fusion training

If you want to be part of the new wave of integrated practitioners you can apply to be on the waiting list for the Integrated Coaching Academy Therapeutic Coaching Diploma.

The good news is there is no waiting list at all for the NCFE distance learning Therapeutic Coaching Skills Certificate and you can follow this link for immediate purchase of your Skills Workbook for just £455. 

You can also still access the Fusion Mindfulness Based Mind Management programme here for £395 for a limited time.