Why Nervous System Safety Is The New Definition Of Luxury

In a world where there is always a reason to stress, nervous system safety is an intentional and necessary choice. The small acts of choosing to tend to yourself as opposed to what’s outside yourself add up to a more relaxed and luxurious life.

Nervous System Safety is another term for “nervous safety regulation”. Both terms refer to your ability to stay calm and return to a calm state of mind. It’s the relaxation part of navigating the balance between calm and stress in everyday life. The stress in everyday life is a variation of your ”fight or flight” response, which is controlled by your sympathetic system

Signs that you may need to pay closer attention to nervous system regulation are not always apparent. They may include constantly feeling overwhelmed and worried, or having trouble concentrating and sleeping. It can also cause digestive issues and body pain, such as frequent headaches. 

“Our body is always trying to find a balance of homeostasis, but if that stress hormone is happening all the time, nervous system regulation techniques can help,” says Paula O’Neill, R.N., in a Hackensack Meridian Health article.

For professional women, this can affect their ability to prioritize and complete tasks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unregulated, starting new tasks and finishing old ones may feel impossible. It can lead to procrastination and the feeling we commonly refer to as burnout. It can cause a freeze response when it comes to your professional life due to a lack of concentration.

Regulating your nervous system just means taking time to cater to the parasympathetic nervous system so that you have a better ability to tackle emotional adversity. Here are a few tips you can use to reclaim your nervous system and regulate your mood.

Get Outside

Moving your body is a proven way to relieve stress. Try working out regularly as a preventative measure or a brief walk outside. Spending time outside not only helps to reduce stress, but it also helps to improve cognitive function. Furthermore, doing so with friends can also be beneficial. According to Psychology Today, spending time with your support system is a great way to regulate your nervous system. 

Prioritize Rest

Giving your body time to rebound makes sleep, breathing, and meditation an essential part of regulating your nervous system. Breathing exercises are an effective way to alleviate stress. There are several techniques you can use to do this, but generally, the deeper the breath, the deeper the release. Meditation helps body awareness and focus. It can sometimes incorporate breathing, but most commonly includes doing a body scan. A body scan consists of you paying close attention to the different parts of your body. Observe the feeling each individual body part is experiencing in the present from head to toe – being sure to notice any sensations without judgment. The exercise is only about observation. If you notice that you tend to rush to complete tasks, remind yourself to slow down.

“Breathing in certain patterns, in the anxious moment, can help bring stress and anxiety down,”  O’Neill shared. “Breathing is with us all the time, it’s free, and we can implement different techniques to help destress in the moment.”

More ways to help regulate your nervous system include cold showers, creating a sleep routine, and doing hard things even when you feel like you can’t. This acts as a form of exposure therapy.