Our autonomic states restrict our options for engaging socially and the ability to regulate our feelings. When we are calm and relaxed in ventral vagal, we are able to engage in positive social interactions.

The theory emphasizes that physiological state limits the range of social behavior and the ability to regulate emotion. Thus, creating states of calmness and exercising the neural regulation of the striated muscles of the face and head may potentiate positive social behavior by stimulating the neural regulation of the social engagement system. (View Highlight)