Nervous System

The nervous system is a web of nerves that originate from the brain and travel down through the body, connecting organs. The nerves send and receive information to and from the brain – think of it as a superhighway transporting essential goods.

An important part of the system that has a direct correlation with mental wellbeing includes:

1. Sympathetic nervous system – a.k.a flight or flight – is activated when the body has sensed a threat. Today that threat could be:

– Your job
– Global pandemic
– Money
– Relationships
– Poor sleep

This threat triggers the sympathetic state, which turns on the stress response.

2. Parasympathetic nervous system – a.k.a rest and digest – is activated when the body is balanced and calm.

When we spend more time in the sympathetic state (fight or flight), the body is in survival mode. This survival mode means the body becomes imbalanced, shutting down important systems to try and stay alive.

Constant activation of the sympathetic mode (fight or flight) contributes to poor mental wellbeing.