Beginning to understand your nervous system

Nervous system health is the foundation of all health - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

It regulates how much energy we have, what feels possible for us, our digestion, immune system, cognition and ability to live our deep purpose. 

What is your nervous system?

Your nervous system is your inner sensing mechanism that is constantly monitoring for safety, threats and opportunities. The sympathetic arm is what mobilises us to get our needs met, set boundaries and respond to threats with aggression (fight) or moving away (flight). The parasympathetic arm slows us down to rest, digest and respond to threats by shrinking (freeze) or appeasing (fawn). 

A healthy nervous system is symmetrical which means we have access to all the responses listed above. However most of us have either a sympathetic dominance or parasympathetic dominance which means we either have trouble relaxing (sympathetic dominance) or mobilising (parasympathetic dominance). 

What shapes our nervous systems?

Personal experiences, intergenerational trauma and epigenetic inheritance, as well as the culture we live in influence our nervous systems. When we address these influences and restore greater symmetry, we gain so much freedom to create lives of our own choosing.

What can be done to support nervous system health?

The important thing is to attend to the side of the nervous system which is shut down. Do you have trouble with motivation and expression? Or with resting and digesting? Or both? There is no one-size-fits all approach, though the basis is about building an internalised sense of safety and belonging in the world. This work needs to be done to strengthen both self-trust and trust in others. Energy medicine and embodiment practices are very helpful supports for this process.

If you would like to understand more about how your own unique nervous system functions and to bring it to a place of greater health and vitality, feel free to reach out. I would love to support you.