Do We Need to Regular Our Nervous Systems?

Health trends can be sticky situations. They make raising awareness easier but sometimes spread misinformation when sources aren’t credible or correct.

Regulating the nervous system is the newest trend among wellness influencers from YouTube to TikTok.

But does the nervous system need regulation?

First, let’s talk about what the nervous system does. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the nervous system sends messages from your brain to different parts of our body to keep it functioning – directing our movement and sensations.

From there, we divide the nervous system into different parts: the central nervous system (our brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (parts branching off from the spinal cord).

And if that’s not complex enough, the peripheral nervous system is made up of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system also has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system (aka ‘fight or flight’ sensations) and the parasympathetic nervous system (or the ‘rest and digest’ sensations).

Most content about regulating the nervous system talks about autonomic nervous system symptoms – our ‘fight or flight’ instincts – like a faster heartbeat, rapid breathing, elevated blood pressure, hyper-vigilance, and anxiousness.

These symptoms work great in dangerous situations; when stress is high and we must assess our environment, be decisive, and act.

But they can be taxing in everyday life when feelings of fight or flight aren’t really needed.

This is where the hot topic of nervous system regulation comes in – actions to decrease stress that leads to a ‘fight or flight’ response even when there aren’t immediate dangers.

How to counter that fight or flight drive? Through deep breathing exercises, calm activities like yoga and meditation, journaling, dancing and other activities that lower stress and increase endorphins (those feel-good hormones).

So, while the nervous system does regulate itself through involuntary and automatic processes, healthy living keeps the nervous system functioning as it should.

In addition to relaxing activities listed above; eating nutritious foods, getting good sleep, and exercising will all help to maintain the health of the nervous system.

Ultimately, the best regulation is a healthy lifestyle.

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