There’s a reason we say life is like a rollercoaster or a box of chocolates—it’s full of ups and downs and totally unpredictable. These ups and downs can impact our overall mental health and wellness, including the health of our central nervous system.
The nervous system plays a crucial role in how our bodies respond to stress. It’s responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response to stressors and perceived threats, but it can also trigger our parasympathetic response, which allows us to rest, relax, and recharge.
When the nervous system is thrown out of whack, it can lead to health issues like anxiety, chronic stress, and even depression. Here are five tools to soothe your nervous system.
1. Focus on Your Breath
Have you ever noticed that your breathing changes when you feel stressed or anxious? You might have trouble catching your breath, or you might notice that your breathing is faster and more shallow than it is normally.
Focusing on your breathing and trying to take deep breaths can help you calm down. Simply paying attention to your breathing can activate your parasympathetic system, which can help you calm down again.
2. Move Your Body
Exercise provides some obvious physical benefits. But it’s also extremely beneficial for one’s overall mental health and wellness. Finding ways to move your body can help to reduce stress and anxiety as well as boost your overall mood.
Moving your body doesn’t have to feel like work. There are a wide variety of ways to work movement into your life, and you can find ways that work for you and your interests. Some options include going to the gym, attending a workout class with a friend, or completing a yoga routine from the comfort of your own home.
3. Practice Mindfulness
A lot of anxiety can stem from worrying about past or future events. Mindfulness is a great way to help keep your body and brain grounded and focused on the present moment again. Activities like meditation, body scans, journaling, practicing gratitude, and positive affirmations are all great ways to implement mindfulness into your routine.
4. Prioritize Your Sleep
Sleep is essential. It’s what helps promote rest and recovery and allows your body to function to the best of its ability each and every day. A good rule of thumb for prioritizing sleep is to aim for at least eight hours each night.
Sticking to a sleep schedule and routine is key. You should aim to fall asleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning. (And yes, this includes weekends!) A solid routine will help clear your mind on a predictable basis, giving you the chance to wake up refreshed, rested, and rejuvenated.
5. Connect with Nature
Spending time outside and in nature can help to naturally reduce stress levels and anxiety while also boosting your overall well-being and sense of happiness. Sitting outside or taking a walk allows you to breathe in the fresh air, feel the warm sun on your skin, and take in your environment. Being in nature is a wonderful way to achieve a natural sense of calm.
Moving Forward
These five tools are all great ways to help soothe your nervous system, but outside support is sometimes necessary. If you’re having a hard time self-soothing or coping, you’re not alone in your struggles.
Help is available from mental health professionals who are licensed and trained in helping people who are going through the same things as you. All you have to do is reach out for support. When you’re ready, we’ll be there to help. Reach out today to set up an initial consultation for anxiety counseling.
