We’re going to have to face it:
Our modern lives work against our nervous systems.
Another way of putting that:
Most everyone is stressed.
Even people who say they aren’t stressed… they’re stressed.
I have people on my adjusting table all the time telling me they’re fine.
But when I work on them… it’s clear they’re nervous systems are stressed.
And just as a reminder, that stress also means inflammation which does set us up for a lot of different health problems, including:
I mean, we’re talking weight issues, sleep issues, cardiovascular problems… honestly, pick a symptom, stress very easily can be part of the underlying problem.
Why are so many people so stressed and don’t even know it?
I think it’s a mix of things that leads to us being stressed and not noticing:
- that level of stress simply became status quo
- we’re constantly told we have to be productive – to meet that expectation we always have to be doing
- that means just being is not enough (but is needed to calm down the nervous system)
- we’re trained to not listen to our bodies, so we don’t hear the body or we immediately suppress anything unpleasant (like feelings of anxiety and stress)
- some are so used to stress, that the nervous system calming down feels boring or even bad
Stress can make it feel unsafe to be in our bodies, disconnecting us ever further from ourselves in every way.
There are typical recommendations around dealing with stress, and some of those are good ones while others we need to be careful with.
For instance, working out can be a great way to destress.
But if your nervous system is really stressed out, and then you go do some heavy weight lifting -> you just stressed out your nervous system even more.
That makes it really tricky, because that means people have to listen to their bodies.
It may be your day to work out… but how? Is it taking a walk, yoga, weight lifting, cross fit… or do you just need a break from all the “shoulds”?
I’ve also noticed the nervous system can get so stressed out that even doing something that should calm it down can still be too much because it’s still “doing.”
It’s when wonderful things like journaling, EFT, meditation, qi gong, even prayer, can feel like a chore and not bring the calming relief for your nervous system.
Or think of how you can wake up with your muscles all tense!
Sleep should allow the body to relax, but if the nervous system is wound really tight, even that can’t get you to calm down.
Now, I have found a couple of things that can help the nervous system calm down, and its not an act of doing but of being.
The easiest way I’ve found to calm down stress is my PEMF/infrared/red light mat. The important part to note is that it’s all three that matter here…
… actually, this mat also includes grounding, EMF remediation, gemstone technology, no flicker, and you can use it for TENS.
The mat I use has a setting (PEMF setting #3) that is specifically against stress and anxiety.
When I lay or sit on it, I can just be. The mat is doing all the heavy lifting.
Of course I can read, sleep, have a conversation with someone, whatever I want, as long as it is calming and not something that upsets me.
It’s the “TheraPro PEMF, Infrared, Red Light Therapy Pad – Regular” mat that I have. Actually we have two have these in my home because they get used a lot.
They also have PEMF settings for sleep, lowering inflammation, support blood circulation, improve memory, overall healing, etc.
Again, it’s the not having to do anything while I’m on it that is so amazing (and I’m actually laying on it as I write this).
Another way I have found to calm the nervous system is to be barefoot outside while not doing anything (with sunshine is my personal preference).
Granted, this does require decent weather, we need earth that isn’t being sprayed with toxic chemicals, not having a bunch of noise around us would be optimal…
I like both of these options, it’s important to have time and space of just being and not doing (this is when people like to say “we’re human beings, not human doings”).
And the great thing is, it’s a great option any time of day:
- I like this in the morning, setting the tone for the day.
- I like to use these two tools midday, when I’m shifting from working with patients to computer work (filling out care plans takes a long time).
- And I like to do it in the evening, setting myself up for healing, regenerative sleep.
Do I actually get on the mat 3 times a day? Or get outside barefoot 3 times a day?
Well no, but the point here isn’t to find a new way to stress yourself, it’s realizing you have these fantastic options to help calm your nervous system and improve your health while just being.
I absolutely know I need to at least get on the mat daily because we do live in a very unnatural world at this point (think EMFs, artificial lights, phones making us available all the time…).
So, when is the last time you were just being?
