10. Healing & the Role of the Nervous System
The nervous system is one of the main modes of communication within the body. It not only connects our entire body (brains, heart, organs, muscles, etc) but it also connects us to the external environment via the sensory organs. It is intimately linked with all the processes unfolding in our bodies as well as how we respond to and interact with the outside world. As such the importance of its role in our ability to heal cannot be understated and if we want to create the conditions for health and healing in our life a basic understanding of how the nervous system functions will be very helpful.
The nervous system can be broadly divided into two different systems with very contrasting ways of functioning. They are the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
The Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight)
The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is active when we are overstimulated, doing intense physical or mental work, excited, scared or responding to perceived threats (this could be anything… bears, tigers, earthquakes, cranky bosses, deadlines, annoying people, mobile phones, lost car keys, an overwhelming to do list etc.). When this system is active the pituitary gland signals to the adrenal glands to release the hormones cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine. This increases the heart rate, increases intensity of heart contractions, expands the bronchial tubes for greater oxygen intake, releases glucose, boosts energy, diverts more blood to the muscles, restricts blood flow to the inner organs and is generally associated with an alert mental state. It involves fast paced signals operating through the nerves running off the spinal chord. This state is commonly referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response. In this state we are far more reactive to external stimuli and our brain is very active in sending signals to the muscles and relevant “action” organs and glands.
Emotional and mental states we could associate with the SNS are: fear, anger, anxiety, restlessness, worry, strong drive, excitement, and elation.
Activities that benefit from the SNS: intense sports, study cramming, intense physical labor, intense mental activity, and working out details.
Two keywords we could use for the Sympathetic Nervous System are REACTIVE and OVERDRIVE.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest & Digest)
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) however is quite the opposite. It is associated with a slower heart rate, increased gland activity, relaxed muscles, a relaxed mental state, less blood circulation to the extremities as well as more circulation to the vital, sexual and digestive organs. The vagus nerve, a nerve that runs from the brain, through our vital organs to our digestive organs (and to the uterus for females) is far more active in this state. Interestingly, when we are in this state these organs send more information to the brain than vice versa. This allows for a far more accurate “systems check” than would be possible if operating from the SNS. In brief the conditions created when the PSNS is active allow the body to bring itself back into homeostasis, in order to balance and heal.
Emotional and mental states we could associate with the PSNS are: love, joy, openness, peace, compassion, flow, empathy, safety, gentleness.
Activities that benefit from the PSNS: being receptive to creativity, new ideas and inspiration, listening to others, listening to oneself, meditation, tai chi, yoga, big picture understanding, creating art.
If we were to use two keywords for the Parasympathetic Nervous System they could be RECEPTIVE and SETTLED.
Balance Is Key
One system is not better than the other. They each have their key roles to play. The Sympathetic Nervous System can help us deal with threats, solve problems, meet a project’s deadline or help us muster a little extra elbow grease for a community project. It helps us survive, grow, adapt, evolve and adds richness to life on Earth. However, when we operate in the SNS for extended periods of time, it starts to have negative effects on our health and needs the support and balance of the PSNS. Exertion and Rest… Yin and Yang.
In a world that is rife with competition, information overload, deadlines, inequality, conflicting views, endless achieving and goal setting, etc. it does not always seem straightforward that we need to slow down and thereby activate the PSNS response. In a sense, we have created a society full of real threats as well as perceived threats in which it can become harder and harder to switch off and slow down. A hungry tiger, a bus speeding towards you or a robber with a gun are all real threats. An email from work, the latest news, an insult, political views, some negative gossip, are not necessarily threats but we may still perceive them in a way that activates the SNS. So, how are you perceiving the world and how are your perceptions shaping your responses?
The Three Regulators of Qi
This brings us to the three regulators of Qi – body, breath and mind. A better understanding of these regulators will help you to self-assess your nervous state. They are also wonderful tools to help us relax and activate the PSNS.
Body - How does your body feel? Are the muscles relaxed or are you holding tensions? Where are they? How can you move your body to help relax and ease your tensions? Shaking, bouncing and massage of the muscles can all help ease tensions. Gentle exercise such as walking in nature, a light jog, yoga, tai chi and qigong are also fantastic for activating the PSNS.
Breath – How are you breathing? Are you tense and breathing high in your chest? Are you holding your breath? Or do you have a nice full relaxed breath? Can you slow your breath down and smooth it out? A slower deeper breath is conducive to relaxation. Another trick is to take a deep breath in, hold it for 20 to 30 seconds and then exhale fully.
Mind – How are you responding to things? Are you argumentative today? Are you trying to achieve an unrealistic amount? Are you irritable? Is your mind endlessly churning over hypothetical situations? Observing and smiling to our own reactions to obstacles can help us see the lighter side of things and relax. Another useful approach is to focus less on outside stimuli and tune more into internal sensations… feeling more and reducing excess thinking.
For long lasting benefits it is important to slowly integrate positive changes. Health kicks and health retreats are fantastic resets but unless they are followed up with the necessary lifestyle changes their benefits will only last so long. Tune back into 無為 wuwei, the art of effortless action; action balanced with attentiveness, wisdom and grounded calm.
With warmth and gratitude,
Dawa & No Mi.
