There are plenty of things that can help calm the nervous system. Deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and certain medications can help to ease anxiety and nervousness. Sometimes, simply taking a break from whatever is causing the stress can be enough to help the nervous system relax. In some cases, though, more drastic measures may be necessary. Surgery or therapy may be needed to help calm an overactive nervous system. Whatever the cause of the nervousness, there are many ways to combat it and get relief.
Taking a deep breath can also help calm the nervous system. There are different ways to go about deep breathing. One is to focus on the breath and count each inhale and exhale. Another is to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth slowly and steadily. There are many variations of deep breathing, but those are two of the most common.
Relaxation techniques can also help calm the nervous system. There are several techniques to choose from, and it may take some time to find the one that works best for you. Some people find that visualization techniques work well, while others prefer to focus on muscle relaxation. There are also audiotapes and CDs available that can help guide you through relaxation exercises.
If deep breathing and relaxation techniques aren’t enough, medications may be needed to calm the nervous system.
What Things Calm an Overactive Nervous System?
There are things that you can do to calm an overactive nervous system. Some of these include:
Exercising: This can help release endorphins, which have a calming effect.
Yoga: Yoga focuses on breathing and relaxation, which can help calm the nervous system.
Meditation: This can help focus the mind and calm the nervous system.
Listening to calming music: This can help soothe the nervous system and promote relaxation.
Spending time in nature: This can help connect people with the peace and tranquillity of nature.
Massage: Swedish Massage is a go-to massage that can help relax the muscles and nervous system.
Aromatherapy: This can help calm the nervous system with the use of essential oils.
Acupuncture Therapy: This can help stimulate points on the body associated with relaxation and calming the nervous system.
Herbal supplements: Many herbs have been traditionally used to calm the nervous system, such as chamomile, lavender, and valerian.
Each person may find different things that work best for them to calm an overactive nervous system. It is good to find what works best for you. By incorporating some of these techniques into your daily routine, you can help to keep your nervous system in balance and promote a sense of calmness and peace.
Identify Triggers and Try to Avoid Them
Our nervous systems are always on alert, scanning our environment for potential threats. This is a necessary function, protecting us from harm. However, sometimes our nervous systems can be over-sensitive, causing us to react strongly to seemingly innocuous stimuli. This can be highly frustrating and can significantly impair our quality of life.
Many different things can trigger an over-sensitive nervous system. Common triggers include loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, and crowds of people. However, every person is unique and will have their own specific triggers.
The best way to deal with an over-sensitive nervous system is to identify your triggers and avoid them. This can be difficult, as some triggers may be impossible to avoid entirely. However, even making an effort to reduce your exposure to triggers can help lessen the severity of your symptoms. If you struggle to identify your triggers, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you to identify and manage your triggers.
Managing an over-sensitive nervous system can be challenging, but it is definitely possible. With patience and effort, you can learn to live a full and happy life, despite your sensitivities.
Relaxation Techniques
Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to help the nervous system function.
Our nervous systems are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body. When it’s functioning correctly, we feel energized and alert. However, when it’s overworked or stressed, we may feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Practicing relaxation techniques can help to calm the nervous system and promote better health overall.
There are plenty of relaxation techniques that can be effective, so find one that works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine. Deep breathing is a simple technique that can be done anywhere and doesn’t require any special equipment. Yoga and meditation are also great options, as they provide additional health benefits beyond relaxation. Whatever relaxation technique you choose, make sure to practice it regularly and give yourself time to relax and rejuvenate. You’ll notice a difference in your overall well-being.
Use Your Parasympathetic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for preparing the body for ” fight or flight ” in response to a stressor. In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to a state of “rest and digest” after the threat has passed.
Chronic stress can occur when the body is in a state of sympathetic dominance for extended periods. This can lead to a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and anxiety.
The good news is that the parasympathetic nervous system can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for returning the body to a state of rest and digest after the threat has passed. This helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
The parasympathetic nervous system, unlike the sympathetic nervous system, downregulates. The vagus nerve is a major player in this process, sending signals from the brain to the body and vice versa through the nerves. Instead of your brain telling your body what to do, your parasympathetic nervous system informs your brain what’s happening.
Spend Time with Friends and Family to Reduce Stress
You may have noticed that when we spend time with those we care about, our nervous systems relax—which leads to reduced stress hormones like cortisol. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take some time out to connect with the people you love. You’ll be surprised at how relaxed you feel afterward.
Do Regular Exercise
Exercise has been shown to help improve mood and cognitive function, and reduce stress and anxiety. A healthy nervous system is vital for overall health and well-being, so get regular exercise to keep yours in tip-top shape!
Seek Professional Help
The nervous system is like your body’s electrical wiring. It consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves that connect them. This system controls everything from your heart rate to your breathing to your digestion. When you are stressed, your nervous system goes into overdrive. This lead to different problems, including headaches, muscle tension, and stomach upset. If the stress is too much to handle on your own, seek professional help. A therapist can help you manage your stress and keep your nervous system under control.
About the Author: William L. Padilla is a freelance content writer. He specializes in writing about health and nutrition-related topics. Driven by his passion, he takes pride in providing the best health tips possible. As a health blogger on Supplement You Can Trust, he aspires to enhance nutrition-based content quality.
May Is Mental Health Month 2022
“Back to Basics”
May is Mental Health Month, a time to spread public awareness and education about mental health disorders and reflect on the impact of mental illness on individuals and their families.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Month is “Back to Basics.” The goal this May is to provide foundational knowledge about mental health and mental health conditions and spread information about what people can do if their mental health is a cause for concern.
It is also a time to recognize and commit to changing the racial and economic inequities in our health care system, particularly with respect to mental health.
www.rtor.org and Laurel House are committed to the advancement of racial equity and social justice, and to making mental health services accessible to all.
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The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of www.rtor.org or its sponsor, Laurel House, Inc. The author and www.rtor.org have no affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios.
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You can’t tell people to just avoid any and all triggers. This is how agoraphobia starts and it will lead to a terrible depression. My trigger is people, shall I just sit in my house alone forever? Terrible advice.
I need help i have this and i have no one to help me Single unmarried with children. Been struggling now since 2018 just better enough to educate my self please i want to live and be alive and chance to be part of my daughters life i have no one to help me please
Hi Pamela,
Thank you for reading and commenting on this blog post. You seem to be self-aware which is great.
You are doing a great job advocating for yourself by looking for support and resources. I will email you directly with some resources.
-Danielle
There are some things we cadn’t avoid (I’ve already given up my job to avoid bright lights, unexpected noises, etc.) and I really love some advice of how to handle those situations.. I haev an adult daughter who is a psychopath (legitimately diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder)… just hearing from her (text, voice mail, call even) throws me into a migraine… brain fog, can’t come up with my words, anxious and deeply distressed. Yet, we are raising her daughter, so I cannot completely avoid her. I would love some suggestions on how to handle this. I’m trying Tai Chi and Vagal Nerve stimulation to calm my nervous system… but any ideas of how to deal with the trigger situations that we can’t avoid would be great. Do I approach contact with her with an intentional level of mental detachment?…. words spoken, but somehow keeping myself from ‘feeling’ the interaction? How could I go about this?
Hi Jill,
We appreciate you reaching and commenting on this blog post. You have posed many great questions that would be great to further access with a local therapist. I will contact you directly with some resources please check your email.
-Danielle
I LOVE my walks! I had to make a decision to start walking again and damage my knee. Ill take the knee damage! Walks in nature ARE MY HEAVEN.
Hi Gurrola,
Thank you for reading and sharing.
Walks in nature can definitely be peaceful and calming for many people. Being that you have knee issues, perhaps you can consider other options such as sitting in nature to prevent knee damage or consult with your PCP on what you can do to improve your knee.
-Danielle