Six Tools for Balancing Your Nervous System | Nalaverse

A balanced nervous system is essential for overall health and well-being. 

The nervous system is the body's communication network, responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When the nervous system is out of balance, it can have a ripple effect on the rest of the body, leading to physical and emotional symptoms.

One of the most important functions of the nervous system is regulating the body's stress response. When we encounter a stressful situation, the body's natural response is to activate the "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This response is helpful in short-term, acute situations, like when we’re actually in danger and need to think quickly on our feet. 

When the body is constantly in a state of stress, however, it can have a serious  impact on our health. Research shows chronic stress can lead to various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues, for example (1).

Therefore, maintaining a balanced nervous system is crucial for living a healthy and balanced life. When the nervous system is regulated, the body is better able to handle this stress and build resiliency, making it easier to return to a state of relaxation after a stressor has presented itself. 

Meditation, a practice that brings balance and peace to the body and mind through deep breathing, is a great way to begin regulating your nervous system. It is also notoriously difficult, especially for those just beginning to quiet their mind.

Here are six ways to balance your nervous system that doesn’t include meditation:

1. Deep breathing aka breathwork: Deep breathing is a simple but powerful way to calm the nervous system and bring balance to the body. When stressed, our breath tends to become shallow and rapid, which can further fuel the fight-or-flight response. By taking slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and bring the body into a state of relaxation.

2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (aka: body scans): This technique involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups, starting with the feet and working your way up to the head. As you tense each muscle group, focus on the sensations surrounding the tension and then practice releasing it as you relax the muscles, preferably as you inhale and exhale. This practice can help release physical tension and stress that lives in the body.

3. Nature walks: Spending time in nature can be incredibly soothing for the nervous system. The natural world’s sights, sounds, and smells can help shift our focus from the stressors of daily life and bring a sense of peace and calm. Taking a leisurely walk in a park or through the woods can be a great way to begin bringing a sense of calm into your body.

4. Self-massage: Massaging different parts of the body, such as the scalp, hands, and feet, can help to release tension and promote relaxation. Using essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, can enhance the soothing effects of self-massage.

5. Yoga and Tai Chi: Both yoga and tai chi are gentle, mindful movement practices that can help to calm the nervous system and bring balance to the body. The slow, fluid movements and focused breathing of these practices can help to quiet the mind and promote relaxation.

6. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique): EFT, also known as tapping, is a technique that involves tapping on specific pressure points on the face and upper body while focusing on a specific emotion. By focusing your energy on a specific part of the body, and channeling the negative emotion you’d like to release, this practice can help to release uncomfortable emotions and bring balance to the nervous system.

By incorporating even of these techniques into your daily routine, you can slowly move your body out of a state of fight or flight, which causes chronic pain, into one of control and peace. 

You might even notice, through beginning to regulate your emotions, an increase in your overall physical and emotional health. This is because the nervous system plays a role in many bodily functions, including digestion, immune function, and even sleep. 

A healthy, balanced, and regulated nervous system is the key to optimal physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Try incorporating just one of these into your daily routine and see how your life may improve. 

(1) "The Impact of Stress on Health" (https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/impact)

(2) "The Importance of a Balanced Nervous System" (https://www.hufeland.de/en/importance-balanced-nervous-system/)