Your Nervous System & Stress
November 1st is Stress Awareness Day. I think it is fair to say that we all struggle with the effects of stress on our lives from time to time. I know I do.
Whether we interpret a situation as stressful or manageable has everything to do with the state of our nervous system. One of the main roles of our nervous system is to make sure we are safe. It does this not only by monitoring the functions of our internal systems, but by watching out for threats in our environment.
Our brains naturally process an incredible amount of information every second of our lives, taking inventory of everything happening inside of us and around us; every chemical reaction, every thing we see, every scent we smell, every tiny little touch and where exactly our body is positioned in space. The majority of the information going through our brain is not brought to our conscious awareness. Why? Because that would be chaotic and distracting for our conscious brain centers to be aware of so much at once. We are only aware of information we are focused on or that our brains perceive as a possible threat.
As an example, you are not constantly paying attention to the way your shirt feels on your skin. Or to every degree of temperature change in the air. Those bits of information are taken in by the brain then filtered out because they are not deemed useful for you in that moment. Similarly, no matter how focused you are on a task, if you hear a loud, abrupt sound you will automatically turn to look because your brain categorizes that as a priority over what you are currently doing.
When we start bombarding our brains with endless information from social media, the news, emails, work tasks, household responsibilities and so on, it becomes more difficult for our nervous systems to know what’s important and what’s not. The result is that we are constantly on high alert and everything feels urgent. Or even worse, we lose that sense of urgency all together and feel hopeless. This is the “freeze” response that we experience in extreme situations of overwhelm. This occurs as a result of trauma and/or chronic “fight or flight”.
When our nervous system is in a state of hyper-vigilance (fight or flight) or hopelessness (freeze) we perceive situations as threatening and stressful. On the other hand, when our system is relaxed and regulated we perceive those same situations as manageable. In the first scenario we are primed to look for problems & danger, whereas in the second we are primed for solutions & opportunities.
So, what can we do to keep our nervous system in a state of adaptability? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and sometimes what works one day won’t work the next, but here is a list of activities to try and see what works for you:
Deep Breathing
Meditation
Walking
Exercise or movement in general
Journaling
Breathwork
Hugging a loved one or petting an animal
Talking with someone you trust
Laughing
Being in nature (without distractions)
Listening to music that makes you feel calm & happy
Limiting screen time
Social media detox
Chiropractic care! :D
Any other body work
Seek help from a professional
I want to emphasize that if you have been through major trauma in your life it is going to be much more difficult to regulate your nervous system on your own. That trauma lives in your body and may need to be addressed in order for your system to truly feel safe and relaxed. Finding a mentor, coach or therapist to help you unlock and process stored trauma is one of the best thing you can do for your nervous system.
When I feel stressed and overwhelmed I like to remind myself that our nervous systems were not designed to take in this much information on a daily basis. Needing to rest or take a step back from the to-do list is natural and healthy (even though it can be hard at times).
Dealing with anxiety and depression can be complex, but one thing I know for sure is that the state of your nervous system has a dramatic effect on your mental health. The more regulated you are on a nervous system level the better equipped you will be to navigate your emotions and find the way through your current experience.
Please know that there is support out there no matter what you are going through.
When the world feels like too much, don't forget to make yourself a priority & find ways to get the support you need 💛