How to Calm Your Nervous System: Regulation Benefits, 11 Techniques, & More background image
March 05, 2024

How to Calm Your Nervous System: Regulation Benefits, 11 Techniques, & More

Key Takeaways:

Key Points:

  • Your nervous system controls your overall state of calm and contentment. It also plays a huge role for those suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
  • Resetting and regulating your nervous system requires strategic and mindful practice, not just self-care rituals.
  • By maintaining a calm nervous system over time, you can boost your quality of life and increase your lifespan.
  • Nervous system work supports cellular health, especially endothelial cells.

More than 30% of modern adults experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

Read that again.

Not just anxiety. An anxiety disorder

As a society, we have more access to news and information than any other civilization in the history of the world. Often, the first thing we see in the morning is our phone — full of headlines that slam the gas pedal on our adrenaline and send our nervous system into a state of full-blown panic.

This continual influx of adrenaline can wear on our nervous system, making it more difficult for our bodies to respond to our own stressful experiences. But first, we need to understand how this dynamic works.

Let’s learn about the nervous system, what causes it to overload and overreact, and how we can practice calming the nervous system for a less stressed-out, more peaceful life.

Table of Contents:

What is an Overactive Nervous System?

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body. It consists of two main components — the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which extends throughout the rest of the body.

An overactive nervous system, often referred to as sympathetic dominance or chronic stress, occurs when the body is in a constant state of heightened alertness. This state is characterized by an excessive release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to a "fight or flight" response even in non-threatening situations. This prolonged activation can negatively impact various physiological processes. An overactive nervous system may cause symptoms like:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Panic attacks
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Exhaustion
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Poor digestion
  • Insulin resistance
Social media prescribes self-care bubble baths, wine, and Friends as the primary ways to de-stress. As enjoyable as these activities are, they are only band-aids for a deeper problem. Resetting your nervous system requires targeted healing practices — more than just “chilling” out in front of the TV. (Sorry, we wish it wasn’t so, too!)

Related Articles