The nervous system consists of the brain 🧠and spinal cord 🩻 (central nervous system) and the nerves throughout the rest of the body 🪢 (peripheral nervous system).
Some notable sections of the nervous system include:
- The vagus nerve which connects to EVERY major organ in the human body.
- The sciatic nerve, the largest in the body.
- The sacral plexus and solar plexus, two dense nerve centres located in the sexual organ region and behind the stomach. Each respectively associated with the 2nd and 3rd chakra’s, known as energy centres in ancient Indian studies of human anatomy.
It is through the nervous system that we communicate with the outside world. The nervous system enables us to process information through the five senses and triggers a multitude of reactions in the body.
These include but are not limited to:
Respiration, Salivation, Metabolism, Digestion, Perspiration, Lacrimation (making tears), Sexual Climax, Hormone Production & Heart Regulation.
Some aspects of the nervous system are voluntary like holding our breath or initiating conscious skeletal movement. Other responses of the nervous system are reflexive based on internal or external stimuli. Examples include how we react to touching a hot object or the sudden activation of the brakes when driving a vehicle due to an emergency.
Much of the nervous systems activities are involuntary and beyond our conscious awareness, known as the autonomic nervous system. This is divided into the parasympathetic (rest and digestion) and sympathetic (fight or flight) systems.
These two aspects of the autonomic nervous system generally perform opposite functions such as pupil constriction vs dilation or slowing down heart rate vs speeding it up. However these systems that converge in the plexus regions also complement each other by enabling humans to remain in a state of equanimous equilibrium ⚖️☮️☯️.
I’m particularly interested in the parasympathetic nervous system as one of its functions is to regulate how we maintain a calm state and get back to homeostasis after:
- Vigorous exercise
- Stressful situations
- Inner anxiety
- Emotional challenges
- Disruptive cognitive behaviours
- Low mood and/or hormonal deficiency
As the parasympathetic system handles processes that we are rarely conscious of, having some tools that help it to regulate our wellbeing is essential. A lack of such tools could be an existential threat to our mental health when exposed to sophisticated marketers, broadcasters, content creators and algorithms that are well equipped to hack our mental attention and if possible siphon our energy & resources.
Such tools could be especially useful for anyone who may be:
- Navigating challenging personal or professional relationships.
- Making financial or career decisions.
- Anxious due to external events such as geopolitical situations.
- Mentally exhausted by the constant demand within the digital information era.
Some suggested practices include:
1. Slow and Deliberate Movement - Tai Chi, walking, Yoga, stretching the body or performing a 30 sec - 3 min plank exercise.
2. Calm, Wholesome, Relaxing, Non-Profane Music - Personally, I listen to Made In Africa by Stephen Marley ft Wale, My Favourite Things (1) and Equinox (2) by John Coltrane, the full Kind of Blue album by Miles Davis, Stronger (1), Grateful (2) and Winning Right Now (3) by Agent Sasco.
3. Mindfulness or Meditation - Being present and aware of every inch of your body. Alternatively, find a pleasant mental focus and feel the joy and gratitude of that visual experience.
4. Grounding Affirmation - One that inspires, invigorates and excites or simply instills joy and gratitude in your body. Try, “Right now, I am safe, loved and grateful for _______ .”
5. Massage - Self massage or by a third party. Gentle touch is scientifically proven to provide a calming effect.
6. Breathing - Deep diaphragmatic breathing, inhaling for 4 secs, holding for 2 secs and exhaling for 6 secs.
7. Cold Bath/Shower - This is known to stimulate the parasympathetic system (don’t shoot the messenger 🥶). As a compromise, try splashing cold water on the face.
8. Good Company - Nothing beats spending time with people we love, eating, talking and communing where we feel safe, seen, heard, cared for and valued.
9. Humming / Chanting / Singing - Ancient & contemporary cultures perform this exercise for a reason. Sound vibrates which can stimulate the parasympathetic to relax us physiologically.
10. Nutrition - A balanced diet supported by multi-vitamins can also help to ensure that the body has all the strength, immunity and energy that it needs to thrive & produce those happy hormones like serotonin & dopamine.
Over to you, be honest…..are you training your body but neglecting your nervous system?
Let me know in the comments and let’s figure this out together.
References and further reading:
Ever feel the need to switch off? Your vagus nerve might hold the key
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0k9yz5wexo
In brief: How does the nervous system work?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279390/
How the Parasympathetic Nervous System Can Lower Stress
Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system: Simple ways to calm stress
https://www.firststepschiropractic.com/2025/12/07/stimulation-of-the-parasympathetic-nervous-system/#:~:text=Soothe%20Your%20System%20with%20Gentle,between%20your%20body%20and%20mind.
1 comment
Love this Cornel. This aspect is all too often forgotten.