Nervous System Life Hacks
Five simple changes that helped ease my nervous system
Hey everyone! It’s me, Bree. Welcome back to your bi-weekly dose of me. This week I am sharing with you a few small changes that I made over the last several years that significantly improved the health and well-being of my nervous system. These changes can be easily implemented into your daily routine and are completely cost free.
So what is your nervous system? According to clevelandclinic.org, “Your nervous system is your body’s command center. Originating from your brain, it controls your movements, thoughts and automatic responses to the world around you.” Basically, our nervous system controls the way we receive and respond to information every second of every day. It governs how we interact with others, manage difficult situations, and respond to the thoughts in our minds. Unfortunately, there are so many elements in our daily lives that weaken the power of our nervous system. Implementing these simple habits have truly supported me in responding to life rather than reacting. Let's dive in.
Numero Uno and probably the most unpopular life hack of all:
Sleep with your phone outside of your bedroom.
There are a few circumstances where I would agree that sleeping with your phone in the room is necessary, i.e. you have young children who are staying at a friend's house for the night or a deathly, sick family member. Other than that, there is absolutely no reason you should be snuggling up with your phone at night. Not only does your cell phone emit EMF radiation (which is the last thing you need next to your brain while you’re sleeping for eight hours), but it is the perfect set up for you to lay in bed and scroll as soon as you open your eyes. Trust me, I used to do it, but it is an unnecessary habit that is negatively affecting the health of your nervous system. Think of all the nourishing morning rituals you could be replacing your bed scrolling with, i.e. sunlight, journaling, and breakfast. So get yourself an alarm clock, release your 385986947 excuses, and sleep with your phone outside of your room <3
Number Two:
Simplify your morning routine.
Since we are on the topic of morning, I figured we could continue with simplifying your morning routine. I laugh as I write this because I posted a Reel last spring of my morning routine which consisted of 3-5 practices that I did every morning before I got dressed and went to work. While I truly believe the practices I was doing (meditation, breathwork, reading) can be so nourishing for your nervous system, I was rushing around like a crazy person each morning trying to complete them (basically doing the exact opposite). So instead, I simplified. I found short little pockets of time throughout the day to implement these practices and saved the morning for the routines that were absolutely necessary for me. For one, this allowed me to set my alarm 15 minutes later than I did before and I wasn’t skyrocketing my cortisol levels first thing in the morning.
Number Three:
Be more mindful of the content you consume.
I began reading drama novels well before I was old enough to. Sex and the City was one of my favorite shows in high school. Name a drama series that premiered prior to 2020, I watched it and don’t get me wrong, I loved them. To be honest with you, I still do, but I am much more mindful now about how often I consume them. Over the years I replaced the drama novels with personal development and spirituality books. TV and movies, I just choose to consume much less of. Why? Our nervous system does not understand the difference between television drama and reality. Every time we consume reality television, a romance novel, or a murder series, we are turning on our sympathetic nervous system. For those who don’t know what the sympathetic nervous system is, clevelandclinic.com defines it as, “a network of nerves that helps your body activate its “fight-or-flight” response. This system's activity increases when you're stressed, in danger or physically active.” Say less.
Number Four:
Begin to implement a mindfulness practice.
It doesn’t matter what it is: yoga, meditation, breath work, journaling, mindful walks, and the list goes on. Find a mindfulness practice that feeds your soul and stick to it. It doesn’t matter which one you choose or when you do it as long as you do it often, consistently, and with intention. Choosing to implement one of these practices for just 10 minutes a day will significantly benefit the health of your mental and emotional well being. I know… I was, too, one of those people that said, “I don’t have time for that.” So you know what you do? You make time. You take away 10 minutes of scrolling TikTok or watching Netflix and you lay your ass on the ground, close your eyes, and breathe. Now watch your life change before your eyes :)
Last, but certainly not least Number Five:
Quit the negative self-talk.
This one is especially for my ladies because I feel like this is embedded in our DNA. Every time you tell yourself that you're not good enough, not attractive enough, not smart enough, not rich enough, you are sending signals of stress to your brain that you are not enough. And what is that doing to your nervous system? Sending that poor guy into overload. Have you ever heard people say what you believe will come into existence? Well, they weren’t fucking around. If you say you’re ugly, when you look in the mirror you will see ugly. If you say you’re broke, your bank account is going to be empty. Trust me I did this and I still do it as I’m writing to you with a pimple on my face bitching that my chin just broke out, but it is a habit that I am breaking. The negative self-talk is not saving you, it is pushing you further and further away from your highest self.
