Today we are experiencing epidemic levels of anxiety, depression and other forms of mental illness. Researchers have honed in on the usual culprits of stress, poverty, past trauma and oppression. But one scientist named Stephen Porges focused in on how humans process and adapt to severe stress and devised a new concept known as polyvagal theory. This theory shows how humans can engage and help each other to build nervous system resiliency, overcome stressors, and help us heal from trauma and emotional suffering.