If depression is the emotional expression of the immobilization response, then the solution is to move out of that state of defense. Porges believes it is not enough to simply remove the threat. Rather, the nervous system has to detect robust signals of safety to bring the social state back online. The best way to do that? Social connection.
For people who don’t prefer social connection, I’ve seen that exercise works well
Edit: just want to highlight that polyvagal theory, the main point behind this article, is unsubstantiated thus far
People don’t depress me, but I only have so much charge on my social battery. And yeah, seems we’re the odd ones regarding the outdoors. When people first meet me, they often comment about my running around the creeks and swamps alone.
“Aren’t you worried about (panthers, gators, bears, serial killers) ?!”
“Uh, no, they’re rare enough and I carry a gun if it comes to it.”
Great. On top of thinking me fruity, now I’m an armed fruit.
What’s wrong with responsibly owning a firearm?
I really fucking hate this culture of us Left-leaning people looking at firearm ownership as stupid; meanwhile we are surrounded by armed unhinged racists, bible-thumping violent anti-LGBTQ religious fanatics, skinhead right-wing cops and we hope those fascist protect us if Republicans riot violently.
So fucking dumb to think deterrence is bad.