No matter what your situation is, it’s safe to say life is tough. Yet whether it’s the world that feels like it’s falling apart around us or the stressors we face, it’s our nervous system that takes a beating. But before life gets too overwhelming and we reach our boiling point, we must adopt habits that give our nervous systems some love. So let’s explore how to calm your nervous system to heal the stress around and within you.
What Is the Nervous System?
Think of your nervous system as a command center. It includes the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, a complex network of nerves that stem from the spinal cord to the rest of your body. Additionally, the peripheral nervous system contains two parts; the somatic nervous system, which guides voluntary activities, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious activities. And to dive even deeper, the autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic nervous system, which activates your fight-flight-or-freeze response, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms your body. It’s quite a bit of information to take in! But that’s why the nervous system is your body’s command center; it is a multi-tasking force constantly receiving and sending information to maintain your wellbeing.
What Does the Nervous System Do?
While operating from your brain, the nervous system sends messages between the brain and body and your other organs to guide everyday activities. For example, how we move, feel, think, breathe, maintain homeostasis, and basically everything our body needs. That’s why it’s so important to increase your awareness about the nervous system and give your body’s command center the love it needs.
9 Common Nervous System Disorders
Since your nervous system guides almost everything you do, it is quite vulnerable to several disorders. Here a few common ones to be aware of;
- Chronic headaches
- Stroke
- Trauma
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Parkinson’s
- Auto immune disorders
- Bell’s palsy
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
12 Signs of a Nervous System Disorder
While the following are common signs of a nervous system disorder, it’s important to know that everyone experiences symptoms differently.
- Memory loss
- Persistent headaches
- Limited coordination
- Comprised cognitive functioning
- Slurred speech
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Impaired sight
- Muscle deterioration
- Language impairment
- Radiating back pain that extends to feet and other parts of the body
How to Calm Your Nervous System
1. Mindfulness and meditation
When we unplug and tune into our senses, meditation activates the parasympathetic nervous system and keeps our stress at bay. Indeed, it directly calms the sympathetic nervous system to provide those feel-good peaceful vibes. And over time, with consistent practice, we’re less likely to react to stress, and even experience anxiety and depression.
2. Connect to nature
To put it lightly, we are not built to live in concrete jungles. We thrive unplugged away from technology, overpopulation, and light and sound pollution. Therefore, retreating to nature activates your parasympathetic nervous system and gives you that wellness reset we all crave. So when possible, leave the technology at home, go for a long hike, and do nothing but connect to the natural world around you.
3. Roll out your yoga mat
Yoga is mindful movement and works in the same way as meditation. Rolling out your yoga mat and following poses that connect the mind and body activate your parasympathetic nervous system. And through your breath, you feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed. Yet the best part is that it’s easy to make it a habit. You don’t need a membership or a community to begin. Simply practice beginner yoga classes on YouTube or take advantage of several online resources.
4. Cuddle your loved ones
Nothing feels better than the comfort of snuggling your loved ones. But why does snuggling another being feel so good? Well, science provides the answer. When you have skin-to-skin contact, your body reacts accordingly. Your heart rate slows down, and your blood pressure and stress decrease. And interestingly, you also feel a rush of the love and bonding hormone, known as oxytocin. Essentially, touch is one of the best ways to learn how to calm your nervous system.
5. Weighted accessories
One of the most common nervous system disorders is trauma. But how does trauma affect our nervous system? When we experience a traumatic event, our nervous system goes out of whack. We lose the ability to regulate our emotions, reduce our stress, and become stuck in the ready-to-react mode. Yet weighted accessories like weighted blankets or pillows provide deep stimulation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and producing more serotonin – the happiness hormone. So, if you’re trying to heal from a traumatic event, consider a weighted accessory to aid the sleepless nights.
6. Shake your body
Did you know stressful experiences store energy in the nervous system? According to Dr. Peter Levine, who developed somatic experiencing, a therapy that releases trauma, shaking our bodies releases that energy. In his book “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma“, he discusses that animals shake to release stress after experiencing a dangerous encounter. And if we also move our bodies, the shaking will release tension, calm the nervous system, and help us manage stress better. To practice it, focus on your body, where it hurts or feels tense, and shake it out. Do whatever feels good at the moment and get silly.
7. Feel the heat
How do you feel after a warm bath, a hot cup of tea, or even time in the sauna? It’s no surprise if your immediate thought was ease because warmth benefits us twofold. It reduces muscle tension and increases our endorphins. Essentially, we feel happy and relaxed connecting to the heat. So, the next time you feel stressed, don’t hesitate and make it a warm trifecta. Take a warm bath with a nice cup of tea, sweat it out and feel the effects.
Learning how to calm your nervous system provides an entire reset. You not only give your system a much-needed break, but you adopt habits that benefit your overall well-being. And whether you meditate or connect to nature, reducing stressful stimuli in your daily life will ensure you feel balanced no matter what life throws at you.
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