Have you ever felt as if your body just couldn’t relax?
You may have been exhausted and yearning for sleep but when your head hit the pillow it was hours of tossing and turning. After a sleepless night, you go about your day counting down the hours until you can rest. And then it starts again – the vicious cycle. Can you relate?
Now you’re beyond frustrated and likely the lack of sleep is causing other issues including worry. Your nervous system just doesn’t want to relax – it feels like it’s preparing you for a battle.
Chronic stress, worry, overwhelm, and busyness cause your sympathetic nervous system to shift into overdrive. Your body senses the inability to relax and puts you in a fight or flight mode. This keeps every cell on constant alert waiting for perceived danger and protecting you from any outside threat. While this system works well when you are in situations where your life is threatened it’s counterproductive when you’re safe without harm.
Your parasympathetic nervous system is usually good at its job but when your life is continually filled with stress it doesn’t allow you to rest. In this situation, your sympathetic nervous system stays stuck in constant alert mode. This leads your entire body to become fatigued. You might feel exhausted, but you can’t rest. The more frustrated you become the longer the cycle continues. It might get to the point that you become physically ill as your body cannot thrive under constant attack and stress. You might not be sure what started this whole process, but you know it doesn’t feel good.
Here are 12 Ways to Calm Your Nervous System
1. Try not to overanalyze the cause until you get your nervous system to calm down.
2. Sit quietly and focus on your breath. Take slow deep breaths until you feel your body begin to relax.
3. Spend time in meditation. It doesn’t matter if your mind flows to many places; just sit quietly, breathe, and allow things to come and go without judgment.
4. Step outside into nature. Allow the energy of your surroundings to help return your nervous system to balance.
5. Move your body. Gentle stretching or yoga is calming to your cells.
6. Take a warm bath or hot shower. While doing so, picture every cell of your body relaxing while releasing any worry, stress, or anxiety.
7. Journal. While writing, allow your thoughts and feelings to flow. You may not realize something is bothering you until you give it space to be heard.
8. Set aside your electronics. They can increase your nervous system’s irritability, so give yourself a break from them.
9. Clear your schedule as much as possible. Make time to be alone, quiet, and without things vying for your attention.
10. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, chocolate, caffeine, and nicotine if possible.
11. Listen to soothing music. If the sounds of nature bring you to a peaceful, grounded state find a playlist that feels nurturing and incorporates this energy.
12. Nourish your body. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and water in your diet each day. Hydration is important for all the cells in your body to function properly every day.
Remember to be gentle with yourself during stressful times. Often what many of us need most is self-care and love. By choosing to nurture and yourself with the tips above your nervous system should return to a state of peace and calm. Be well!
