Your brain is capable of optimal functioning, but when your brain/central nervous system is off kilter, your brain operates inefficiently.
Symptoms of a less than optimally functioning brain/central nervous system can include:
- feeling stressed and overwhelmed
- feeling anxious
- irritability
- difficulty sleeping
- feeling low or sad
- overactivity
- poor performance on tasks
- difficulty paying attention
- addictions
- headaches
- catching colds and infections
- memory problems
At times we may feel we have nowhere to turn or nobody to listen to us. It was like this for me for many years. Suffering from social anxiety and the stress it can bring on, affecting my mental health.
Now more than ever, our mental health is very important. How resilient we are to what daily life challenges us with. Having the resilience and ability to deal with daily stressors can be different for everybody. Something one person does not think twice about, can be a very stressful event for another person.
Brain wiring
This can be down to how our brain is programmed from previous events in our life. There is part of our brain called the Limbic system, that filters our experiences. The important thing about this, is that the Limbic system does not distinguish between what is real and what are our thoughts.
When I was suffering from anxiety, my body would automatically start to sweat at the possibility of having an encounter with a person. This possibility was triggered in my mind. When I was standing on the tube in London, on my way to work, if people entered the carriage and stood around me, Trigger!! within seconds my body would be sweating.
At times I would have to get off the train because I would be burning up. 1-2 trains would go by, before I felt safe to go into a carriage again. It had become so ingrained in me, my brain on constant alert for dangers, my body would be sweating before I realised it.
All the time my thoughts were feeding this vicious cycle. It’s called Limbic Kindling. I know this now, not back years ago when I was constantly feeding the Limbic fire with the negative thoughts I was constantly having. When we get caught up in our negative thoughts, we are re-enforcing the unwanted behaviours/reactions we experience.
Becoming aware that we are getting caught in these negative thoughts, helps us to get out of the Limbic Kindling. The Nervous system reset steps below can help with this. Practice these steps when you are in a calm state, a few times a day. This will help you to use this tool more easily when you really need it.
1-3 Minute Nervous System Reset: The Steps
1: Stop whatever you are doing if it is safe to do so and pause. Start by listening to your breath. Don’t change it at first. Notice it. Soften the face and jaw. Then focus on lengthening the exhale gently. Take 5 deep exhales. Then go back to normal breathing
2: Next feel your feet on the ground. Keep awareness on the breathing while feeling your feet on the ground.
3: Bring attention to your hands. Feel them, touch your skin. Keep connected to your feet and breath too.
4: Stay with the breath, feet and hands, and now bring focus to your lower body. Notice your pelvis and legs. Feel the lower body’s strength and support.
5: Lastly, notice your environment: name five things you see, four things you hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and take one more deep slow breath.
Your not alone
What is important for people to understand, you are not the only person going through what you are feeling and experiencing. There is help out there. Find what is right for you, what you resonate with, that can help you in your life.
Work with a person that understands you and you feel can help you, it makes the healing journey much more easy and enjoyable.
It took me many years to find what worked for me. It took me to many places around the world, having many amazing experiences, and many difficult experiences, on my healing journey. I am still on that journey, and I will be on it for the rest of my life.
The toughest part of my journey is over now. I have adapted, I have changed, and I am on a new journey. Healing is a big part of the journey, helping people on their journey. I am always learning and I am always open to the opportunity to share what I have learned.
Were always happy to chat about how life can improve, so feel free to get in touch.
A healthy mind, A healthy body, A healthy Life!