5 Practical Tips To Soothe Your Nervous System
When your nervous system is stressed and overwhelmed, it can have a stronger impact on your life than you might think. Physically, a taxed nervous system can cause digestive issues, sleep problems, and more. It can make it difficult to concentrate, increase anxiety, and even cause you to develop mood swings.
Soothing your nervous system might sound easier said than done. But there are practical steps you can take each day to calm down, center yourself, and soothe your nervous system from the inside out. Doing so can help you reduce the risk of some of the issues above and leave you feeling more relaxed and healthy.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few practical tips to soothe your nervous system that you can start incorporating into your daily routine.
1. Mindfulness And Meditation
Mindfulness is the practice of grounding yourself in the moment. Allowing yourself to be fully immersed in the present can help you let go of overthinking about things that have already happened or worrying about what might happen in the future.
Observe your thoughts without judgment and focus on your breath and surroundings. Even a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation each day can make a big difference when it comes to soothing your nervous system.
2. Deep Breathing
Have you ever been encouraged to take deep breaths when you’re feeling overwhelmed? There’s actually more science behind the action than many people realize.
Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can promote relaxation and help you feel calm. If you start to feel stressed throughout your day, pausing to take a few slow, deep breaths can help.
3. Release Tension With Movement
Physical exercise is a great way to soothe your nervous system and boost serotonin levels. There’s no wrong way to get physical, so find an activity you enjoy, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
If you want to try something new, consider yoga or tai chi. Not only are these excellent physical workouts but some of the movements and poses are specifically designed to release tension and help you feel more relaxed.
4. Spend Time In Nature
Nature is one of the best healers. Multiple studies have shown the mental health benefits of spending time outside, including reduced stress.
Try spending at least a few minutes out in nature each day. Appreciate your surroundings each season, and take in as much sunlight as possible. You can even combine your physical activity with spending time outside by going for a walk or playing a sport. Engaging in hobbies you enjoy is another great way to promote relaxation and soothe your nervous system. So, when you can combine those efforts, you’re likely to feel even better.
5. Talk To Someone
Social interaction is so important when it comes to your overall well-being. Having someone you can talk to not only will help you feel more relaxed, but it can also provide you with a sense of safety and belonging.
Leaning on friends and family for support is an excellent place to start. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to listen to your thoughts to help you feel better. However, if you find that you’re struggling with things like stress, anxiety, or even depression, reaching out to a mental health professional is one of the best things you can do.
If you’re dealing with negative symptoms associated with an overwhelmed nervous system, don’t hesitate to contact me today about anxiety therapy. Together, we’ll work on getting to the cause of your stress, so we can walk through your healing journey together with more practical tips and actions you can take every day.
