Tips for rebalancing your nervous system in times of crisis

Shamanism

I would like to share some tips to help you calm your nervous system and get out of “fight or flight”.
You were not built for constant hustle and bustle and to produce results constantly, that is a construct of modern society.
In ancient times, people would gather around the fire at night to stay warm, to cook and share stories about the day. Fire provided much needed warmth and safety.

Going through life in fight or flight mode:

Fight or flight is a nervous system response that gets you ready to respond to an emergency, in olden times that could mean a predator that was trying to eat you.

Nowadays, you no longer face predators the same way but you are faced with constant stress, interruptions etc.

The average attention spam according to research for most people is 47 seconds right now! can you imagine?

You are faced with the stress from electronic devices, blue light, long hours in front of a computer plus regular daily stressors such as family, health and finances.

When something out of the ordinary happens, you may experience feeling overwhelmed and requiring extra support. Luckily there are many ways to help you regain a sense of balance even in the most challenging situations.

“The soul, in its longing to grow, will push us toward crisis points, bringing about a situation that will force us to leave behind the old toys and the worn-out ways of operating. Our soul brings us these crises to remind us that we don’t have to remain stuck in the land of the hunters and the hunted. We are called to draw ourselves up to our full height and confidence, even when terrified at the prospect of the unknown”. — Alberto Villoldo

These are some ideas to help you rebalance your nervous system:

  • Have a set schedule for sleep and meals, this will give your body some predictability and will help it relax.
  • Manage your screen time, set reminders and limits on your apps.
  • Listen to calming music, reduce violent movies, reading the news constantly and music with negative lyrics.
  • Start a mindfulness practice, take a few moments throughout the day to check in with yourself, how am I feeling? do I need a break? go for a walk, eat, drink etc.? really listen to the wisdom of your body.
  • Have a daily nourishing practice, pray, journal, walk in the forest, schedule a call/date with a friend to catch up.
  • Use nervines, these are plants that help regulate the nervous system such as oatstraw flowering tops (Avena sativa), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lavender (Lavandula officinalis), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum),Other nervine herbs include skullcap (Scutellaria), milky oats (Avena sativa), catnip (Nepeta), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla),hops (Humulus), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). (Always consult with your doctor or a trained herbalist to avoid interactions).
  • Incorporate minerals to your daily supplementation, having magnesium regularly will help you sleep better and having more energy. Magnesium is involved in over 300 body functions and is quite affordable and easy to find.
  • Look for support, grief counseling, counselors, trusted friends and healers.
  • Remember life is cyclical everything ebbs and flows, things have a way of falling back into place.