The Nervous System and Your Health - How to Hack It
We all lead busy and hectic lives. Whether we're dealing with work, school, or personal life, it's no surprise that so many of us feel stressed and anxious. That's where the nervous system comes into play. Our nervous system is responsible for regulating our body's response to stress and plays a huge role in our overall health and wellness. In fact, the nervous system can be a factor in auto-immune conditions! In this blog post, I'm going to share a bit about the importance of the nervous system, how it affects our health, and ways to calm it so you can be a healthier version of yourself!
The nervous system is a network of nerves and cells that respond to stimuli. It's divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS connects to the rest of our body.
When the nervous system perceives a threat, it triggers the "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this response can help us respond to danger, but if it happens too often, it can lead to long-term health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
So how can we calm our nervous system down and reduce stress and anxiety? Here are a few of my favorite ways:
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a technique that involves being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. This practice has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health, too!
Exercise: It’s been shown that regular movement can help reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins - our natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain.
Get enough, good quality sleep: Sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. A lack of sleep can increase stress levels and make it harder to manage anxiety.
Practice deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help calm the nervous system and reduce stress. Try taking a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on longer exhales!
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake: I know…no one wants to hear this one… but caffeine and alcohol can both stimulate the nervous system and increase anxiety. Reducing your intake or cutting them out completely can help so much!
The Vagus Nerve is also a contributor to our health and plays a important role in the health of our nervous system. It plays a critical role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation. Activating the vagus nerve is a great way to “tone” it and help your nervous system.
Here are some ways to improve vagal tone:
Practice deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help stimulate the vagus nerve and promote relaxation. Try taking a few slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Cold Exposure: Studies show that exposure to cold water can activate the vagus nerve and improve vagal tone.
Singing or chanting: Singing or chanting can help stimulate the vagus nerve and promote relaxation.
Yoga or stretching: Certain yoga poses and stretching exercises can also help stimulate the vagus nerve and improve vagal tone.
Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how the nervous system can be “hacked” to increase your overall health and wellness. Taking care of our nervous system should be a priority!
What are you going to try first?