Your nervous system is your brain, spinal cord and also the peripheral nervous system (meaning all the nerves that extend to the rest of your body, from your fingertips to your toes). To understand how it works, it’s typically divided into two systems- the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic system is known commonly as “fight of flight” where the parasympathetic is known as “rest and digest”. You do have some, not much, influence on how these systems are turned on and off.
This is where the term “Nervous System Regulation” has received quite a bit of attention lately. Doing actions that bio-hack or regulate these systems such as cold plunges or breath work may contribute to some control or regulation. However, your nervous system is much more complicated than conscious control. There are reactions (not responses) that are meant to protect you. Meant to keep you alive from danger. Your heart rate goes up to pump blood which carries oxygen and nutrients faster to muscle to either fight or flee away from the threat. This threat could be actual danger such as someone physically hurting you or it could be a perceived threat such as a comment on the internet or food that is perceived as fear. You might learn at an early age, that you are not good enough and then threats to your self-esteem are continued throughout your entire life. A cold plunge or breath work can help calm a fired up sympathetic nervous system response yet it will not change the initial reaction. Stay away from gurus that dictate healing with a product or potion. They simply help with the bio-hacking. Which can be WONDERFUL for short term relief. True long term healing comes from awareness, intention, feeling safe physically and mentally and being connected with safe humans who pour into your value. This also happens with patience. Your brain cannot do this alone. It also needs the body. The mind and body are truly connected. Go slow, you are worth it.
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