Have been wondering about the balance and poise that comes with regulated emotions and self control. The biological explanation to this picture of a balanced poised person who is socially stable , communicative and has developed a equanimous nature to be calm composed and in control , comes through the polyvagal theory (1). The polyvagal theory has found the association between a part of the vagus nerve stimulation along with efferents from other cranial nerves and more self regulation leading to social engagement (2).
There is a window of tolerance between sympathetic hyperarousal and a parasympathetic hypoarousal state. In that window of tolerance the fight,flight, freeze mode is inhibited and a part of the myelinated vagus pathway is activated. This myelinated vagal pathway is found only in mammals and is thought to be responsible for self regulation and social engagement.
So when we are composed and in control of ourselves we are more able to reach out to others . It feeds into the loop of more social connectedness leading to better happiness , health and in turn becoming more socially active as a result of better happiness and health. Social ties are found to be a great predictor of good health and long life (3). So don't forget to connect along with adopting a healthy lifestyle like eating well and exercising for a long life.
References
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108032/#:~:text=The%20polyvagal%20theory%20proposes%20that,of%20behavior%20and%20psychological%20experience.
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051113000641
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/well/live/having-friends-is-good-for-you.html
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