NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION SESSIONS

WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?

The Nervous System is a complex network that helps us communicate and coordinate all of our actions effectively and precisely. Think about it as your body's control centre, constantly sending and receiving messages, ensuring seamless coordination, optimal functioning and safety. The intricate web of nerves connects to every part of the body, creating a tapestry of communication and responsiveness. It plays a key role in your ability to sense the world around you; it allows you to perceive even the slightest pain signal that alerts potential danger, the touch of a loved one and even the warmth of the sun on our skin. It is not only working to keep you alive, it is working for your pleasure!

THE TWO DIVISIONS OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

There are two essential components of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system, responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions. The sympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response or the stress response, activated in times of stress, danger, or excitement. It increases heart rate, dilates pupils and releases adrenaline, preparing the body for immediate action. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is known as the "rest and digest" response, promoting relaxation, digestion, and restoration. It slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure and enhances digestion. The balance between these two systems is crucial for maintaining optimal bodily functioning and seamlessly adapting to various environmental demands. While the sympathetic system prepares us for action, the parasympathetic system brings us back to equilibrium after the threat has passed. Together, they work together to keep our bodies functioning optimally as we move through our days.

The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve or the "wandering nerve," is a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system. It is the longest and most complex nerve in the body, extending from the brainstem to various organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It is most often associated with the body's relaxation response (the parasympathetic branch), as it is involved in lowering heart rate, decreasing blood pressure, regulating inflammation, regulating the immune system responses and promoting digestion.

THE MODERN HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Our bodies are incredibly intelligent and resilient but sometimes, our human experience can overwhelm us. Trauma, loss, heartbreak, abuse, divorce, for example, can push us too far into our sympathetic nervous system (stress response) for too long, and cause us to either freeze (shutdown) or struggle to regain equilibrium. Our ability to adapt to our environment then becomes more difficult and we can store the result of this shock in our physical bodies making us unconsciously armour up to protect our future selves. When this happens, we begin to perceive threats all around us.

Alongside this, our days are much busier than they used to be. We are consistently processing and generating more information than ever before in human history but our internal systems have not caught up. We have not yet evolved to comfortably integrate this volume of experience; from smart phones, social media, netflix, working 5 days a week while raising a family…we are suddenly in a world of endless choices, too much to do, and not enough time to do it in. As a consequence, many of us are in a perpetual state of heightened sympathetic activity (stress response) and we lose the ability to recognise and respond to the in the moment cues from our nervous system. It then becomes increasingly difficult to rest, to react rationally and logically to external and internal stimulus and to hear our truth; anxiety, prolonged fear, stress, anger, depression or a sense of numbness (disconnection) may then manifest.

WHAT DO TO?

When we have been out of balance for a while, or when we have experienced significant trauma, it is imperative not to do too much too soon. The body takes time to recalibrate but the environment for this to happen must be gentle, safe and supportive. The aim is to gradually unwind and de-armour the nervous system so that your mind and body can trust life again. This takes time, but the results can last a lifetime.