The Owls, Watchdogs, and Possums metaphor is based on polyvagal theory created by Robyn Gobbel to help explain how the brain responds to stress and danger. The Owl represents the regulated, calm state of the brain when a person feels safe, allowing them to think clearly and make good decisions. The Watchdog symbolizes the brain’s fight-or-flight response, triggered when a person feels threatened, leading to heightened alertness and readiness to defend. The Possum reflects the freeze or shutdown response when the brain feels overwhelmed by danger, causing withdrawal or dissociation. The infographic illustrates how the brain moves between these states and offers strategies to help individuals return to their calm, regulated "Owl" state when they feel threatened or stressed.
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