Hey Bestie! Let’s talk through some simple ways to calm your nervous system.
In the Bible, we get to witness God partnering with ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I can’t help but wonder if a calm nervous system had a part to play in it.
Bestie, I’m not sure about you, but when I feel overwhelmed, I am paralyzed by my emotions.
I learned that this is common for someone with a dysregulated nervous system which is why I began searching for ways to calm my own nervous system.
I truly believe that God’s desire is for all of us to regulate our nervous systems so that we can fulfill our purpose.
If you stumbled on this post, let me tell you, it’s no accident!
This may be the very thing you’ve been praying for and today were gonna talk about basic ways you can calm your nervous system.
This post will be about simple ways to calm your nervous system.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Is A Dysregulated Nervous System
The nervous system is like the body’s compass and control center. It’s a network that manages things behind the scenes, but is often seen at the forefront.
You’ll recognize it because it’s involved in how we move, speak, feel, and how our organs function. It literally responds to everything around us from emotional stress to a loud truck passing outdoors.
Whenever it’s out of alignment, that’s when it is considered dysregulated.
In the simplest terms, a dysregulated nervous system is one that works in extremes. It’s either on high alert or completely shut down even when there’s no sign of danger.
If you find yourself going back and forth between fight, flight, and freeze mode to feeling depleted of energy, your body may be trying to tell you that it’s time to learn how to regulate your nervous system.
Symptoms Of A Dysregulated Nervous System
Consider these symptoms as clues of discovery especially when you experience several at a time.
Physical Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Insomnia
- Digestive issues
- Trouble relaxing
- Jitters
- Weight gain/weight loss
- Back pain
Emotional Symptoms
- Constant overwhelm
- Heightened anxiety
- Feelings of depression/hopelessness
- Feeling stuck
- Irritability/anger
- Constant worry/fear
- Shutting down
- Feeling on edge/defensive
{RELATED POST: What To Do When You Feel Stuck}
Cognitive Symptoms
- Memory issues
- Intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty making decisions
- Racing thoughts
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
What Can You Take To Calm Your Nervous System
Bestie, there’s no magic pill to take to calm your nervous system. I am also not giving any medical advice by any means.
In my own journey, I’ve decided to take the holistic route to regulate my nervous system. This includes taking teas and tinctures.
Below are some herbs I’ve personally tried:
- St. Johns wort
- Damiana
- Chamomile
- Skullcap
- Passionflower
- Valerian
- Echinacea
- Hyssop
- Vervain
- Lavendar
- Lemon balm
Other herbs suggested (I have not tried these):
- Gutu kola
- Asian ginseng
- Ginko biloba
- Maypop
- Hops
4 Simple Activities To Calm Your Nervous System
1. Box Breathing
Box breathing is a simple, yet powerful breathing technique to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
It involves a rhythm of inhaling, holding, exhaling, and then holding again.
Box breathing helps you to calm your mind, practice mindfulness, and improve your ability to manage your emotions in difficult situations.
I like to practice box breathing by physically looking at each corner of the room.
How To Practice Box Breathing
- Sit comfortably.
- Inhale: Slowly breathe in through your nose for four seconds.
- Hold your breath for four seconds.
- Exhale: Slowly release your breath through your mouth for four seconds fully emptying your lungs.
- Repeat.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about grounding yourself in the present moment.
It helps you to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings.
How To Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can be practiced in many ways.
For example:
- When you’re washing the dishes, notice how the water feels on your hands.
- As you walk outdoors, listen to the sounds of the birds and notice your thoughts.
{RELATED POST: Walking As Worship: The Most Underrated Way To Honor Your Body}
3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Having body awareness is extremely important for regulating your nervous system.
Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that involves tightening and relaxing the muscles in your body.
How To Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation
The easiest way to start progressive muscle relaxation is to start with your hands.
The clench and release coping skill is perfect to start with:
- Open your palms, ball your hands into fists, squeeze, and inhale.
- Exhale and release.
- When you release, visualize that you’re letting something go.
4. Humming/Singing
Humming stimulates your vagus nerve and increases relaxation. It is one of the things that can naturally relieve anxiety.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how to hum or sing lol.
I was honestly very surprised to find out how impactful humming was and how it calmed me within a few minutes.
Bestie, you can calm your nervous system with these simple exercises. Let me know which one you’ll be trying this week!
Before You Go…Let’s Recap
Four activities to calm your nervous system:
- Box breathing
- Mindfulness
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Humming/Singing
If You Enjoyed This Post, You’ll Love These:
What To Do When You Feel Stuck
Walking As Worship: The Most Underrated Way To Honor Your Body
How To Deal With Emotions In A Healthy Way
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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