Nervous System 101
The nervous system is the body’s communication network. It connects the brain to the rest of the body through a complex system of nerves and signalling pathways that regulate movement, sensation, organ function, and internal balance. Its primary function is to assess safety and respond appropriately to what is happening both internally and externally.
At all times, the nervous system collects information from the environment (light, sound, temperature, social cues) and from within the body, including blood sugar levels, inflammation, and hormonal signals. Based on this information, the body determines how to respond to maintain survival and stability.
The autonomic nervous system
Many of the nervous system’s functions operate automatically, without conscious control. This is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which controls processes such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and immune responses. The autonomic nervous system has two primary branches that work together to help the body respond to life’s demands.
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Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight): The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for mobilization and action (like being chased by a tiger!). It increases alertness, heart rate, and energy availability, helping the body respond to stress, challenges, or perceived threats, even when the “tiger” in question looks more like an inbox or a social obligation.
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Parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest): The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest, recovery, and regulation. It slows the heart rate, supports digestion and immune function, and allows the body to repair and restore once it is safe.
How modern life affects the nervous system
The nervous system evolved to respond to short-term stressors rather than constant stimulation. Modern life presents ongoing inputs that can keep the system activated, including screen time, work pressure, emotional stress, irregular sleep routines, constant notifications, and stimulant use, such as caffeine. While none of these are inherently dangerous, they can keep the nervous system in a near-constant state of alert.
When the system senses threat, overload, or excessive demand, it shifts into a state of mobilization. This can present as physical tension, racing or repetitive thoughts, irritability, shallow breathing, and difficulty with rest or sleep. These responses are not signs of dysfunction; they’re protective strategies designed to help the body cope with perceived demand.
What regulation actually means
Regulation refers to the nervous system’s ability to return to balance after activation. It does not mean eliminating stress or never entering a mobilized state. Instead, regulation is about supporting the body’s capacity to recover and restore once a stressor has passed.
Regulation is influenced by consistent safety signals rather than intensity or force. Gentle practices such as slow breathing, predictable routines, warmth, adequate nourishment, reduced stimulation, and supportive rituals can all help signal to the nervous system that it is safe to shift out of mobilization. Over time, these signals can improve flexibility and resilience within the system.
Small, consistent inputs matter
The nervous system responds more to repeated patterns than to occasional extreme interventions. Small, consistent inputs, such as a slower exhale, a steady morning routine, or a more balanced approach to stimulation, can gradually shift how the system responds to stress. These changes are often subtle, but they accumulate over time and support long-term regulation.
