The human nervous system runs and powers every organ in the body and every other system, from the brain to digestion, breathing, heart-rate, and beyond. But what many people don’t consider is that the natural aging process, excessive stress, toxins and diseases can damage your nervous system, and therefor your overall health and well-being.
What Does the Nervous System Do?
The human nervous system is a bit like the Internet. But instead of operating in nodes, your nervous system is a large network of specialized cells called neurons that “talk to each other.” These messages, which are really electrical signals, travel between your brain, skin, organs, muscles and glands. And all of the messages help your body to feel sensations, move and work correctly, and help important information get back to the brain.
Keeping Your Nervous System Healthy to Keep You Healthy
Once you begin to understand that the nervous system is what powers your entire body, including all of its organs and other systems, you begin to realize how important it is to keep your nervous system healthy. A hit to your nervous system can result in headaches, migraines, muscles spasm, learning difficulties, even chronic diseases. As in, “The Body Keeps the Score” — Bessel van der Kolk
So how do you keep your nervous system healthy?
- Eat healthy and holistic foods
- Exercise regularly
- Practice mindfulness when consuming mind-altering substances such as drugs and alcohol
- Aim to avoid developing chronic disease, such as diabetes, which can damage your nerves
- Live a balanced life between work and the personal such as relationships and Self care practices
- Seek out and/or create joyous life experiences
- Develop at least one or a couple of strong relationships where you feel seen, heard, understood, and appreciated
- Develop and practice good mental health hygiene
- Make sure you get enough sleep. A minimum of 8 hours of daily sleep is a good starting point
If you’re someone who hasn’t given much thought to your nervous system and all it does for you, today is an excellent day to start. Take care of your nervous system and it will take care of you.
SOURCES:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21202-nervous-system
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/nervous-system
- https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/functions