What Is the Nervous System?
It’s likely you have heard the term “The Nervous System”, but what exactly is it?
Believe it or not, it is not a system that only regulates our responses when we have to present in front of a large group or meet new people for the first time, but rather a complex system of interconnecting systems that help keep us safe.
The Nervous System is part of the Central Nervous System, a complex network of nerve cells that operate within our bodies. It is made up for many different networks, but specific to trauma and stress if what is called the Autonomic Nervous System, which is further broken down into the Sympathetic (fight, flight, or freeze) and Parasympathetic (rest and digest) Nervous Systems.
So what does all this mean?
When we are faced with a stressor (no matter how small), our sympathetic nervous system turns on. Among other functions (which are more complex than the scope of this article), blood flow increases to the extremities and decreases to the frontal cortex (our thinking brain). Thinking gets in the way of acting, so in these moments we are operating from a primitive, survival oriented brain. This is a primitive survival response so we are able to fight off the danger that is before us. Unfortunately, the brain does not differentiate between the danger of rear ending a car (physical danger) , and the danger associated with the rejection of a lover (emotional danger). To our brains, these dangers are one in the same.
The danger of a near miss in our car, or the heartbreak we feel from rejection, does not last forever. Eventually the stressor is removed or the pain subsides, and our Parasympathetic Nervous System kicks in. The parasympathetic nervous system helps us return to baseline levels of relaxation and calm, restores appropriate blood flow to our brains, and supports “rest and digest” functions.
STRESSFUL INCIDENT —> sympathetic NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVATION —> removal of stressor --> activation of parasympathetic nervus system —> RETURN TO BASELINE
When we face a stressful experience, the sympathetic nervous system turns on
When the stressor subsides, the parasympathetic nervous system turns on
Where real damage occurs is when we are faced with chronically stressful situations or environments. Children growing up in abusive homes, adults involved in unstable relationships, caring for a disabled loved ones, working in a high pressure environment, or suffering from a life threatening health condition are just a few examples of circumstances that can lead to chronic nervous system activation. Chronic nervous system activation is a threat to the health of thousands of Canadians. Living in a constant cocktail of stress hormones and tension not only impacts our ability to regulate, but also has been shown to cause damage to certain parts of the brain. But there is hope. There are ways to reverse the damage nervous system activation causes. Get involved today to start your own journey.
-Rachel