Stress And Your Nervous System

I think of stress as anything that feels challenging or threatening on some level. Stress isn’t bad, it just is a part of life. And when we experience stress, our bodies move into a state of fight or flight.

Fight-or-flight physiology causes an increase in hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are designed to give us the energy and ability to deal with challenging situations in the short term. Then, ideally, once the stressful situation has passed, those hormones drop back down and our nervous system can return to a more parasympathetic and regulated state.

When a situation continues to feel stressful, however, we may stay in a heightened state for longer. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, feeling jittery, difficulty sleeping, a “wired and tired” feeling, or the sense that even when you have time to relax, you just can’t. Making decisions can feel more challenging, and you might simply not feel like yourself.

Ideally, we want a responsive nervous system-one that can respond appropriately to a stressful situation and then, when the stress has passed, settle back into the parasympathetic, rest-and-digest part of our nervous system. This is where we can feel more grounded and connected to ourselves, and where life can feel pleasant and easy (or at least easier).

When we go through times of stress, it can actually be harder to find the time and energy to do the things that help us navigate stress! It can be harder to eat well, find time to exercise, or connect with friends and supportive people. And yet, these are some of the things that can help us the most during challenging times.

I find it helpful to remind myself that it won’t last forever. Sometimes there isn’t an end in sight, but often we do know that there is a time constraint on when something will change. And even when you can’t see the end of a stressful period, you know from past experiences that things will change. Knowing that there is an ebb and flow in life can help you ride the waves with a bit more ease.

Here are a couple of very simple ways you can support yourself while in the midst of stress:

Be gentle with yourself.

You don’t need to do it all, accomplish all your goals, start a new workout plan, or completely revamp your routines while you’re in the midst of stress. Kindness and gentleness toward ourselves can go a very long way. Try offering yourself what you would offer someone else when they need extra care and kindness.

Try to prioritize sleep and rest.

During times of stress, sleep can go out the window- and without good sleep, everything feels harder. Focusing on sleep and rest can help so much. Even if you can’t sleep, resting, feeling your breath, and closing your eyes can give your body a chance to slow down and recover.

Move your body.

This doesn’t need to be a full workout or anything complicated. Walking, gentle stretching, or simply moving in a way that feels good to you can help.

If you’re going through a stressful time, Somatic Experiencing coaching can help you understand what is happening in your nervous system and support you in moving through this time with greater ease. Reach out to see if working together would be helpful.