Calming the nervous system with touch to support self regulation and inner power
Our sense of safety is fundamental to healing and feeling empowered in life. When the nervous system is in balance and functioning at it’s optimum we have the power to heal and create our best life. The life we create is largely governed by our choices. If the nervous system or brain function is in a state of stress or toxicity, we don’t make the best decisions or can feel uncertainty or insecurity with decision making. All these things can amount to a sense of. Powerlessness.
The secret to unlocking the power of body wisdom and intuition (higher guidance) is in supporting calm and clarity in the nervous system. Many chronic health problems and mental health issues are caused by over-active stress responses. You may have heard of the sympathetic nervous system and a part of the brain called the amygdala. These neurological functions are involved in the fight/flight/withdrawal/anxiety kinds of responses. In essence, the amygdala can be overactive and dis-regulate the immune system, hormonal balance, digestive function and higher levels of executive/rational brain function. Again, these physical states of being can amount to a sense of. Powerlessness.
These my top 6 strategies to send safety signals to your body and calm the nervous system. This will cultivate a sense of power in your everyday life and ability to heal.
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #1
Safe home environment
It is foundational for the body to feel safe in order for it to heal.
Have you created a safe environment in your home for your body to do its rejuvenation? Is it free from mould? Is it clutter free and clean? Are there items that cause you stress or irritation? Do you surround yourself with the things that make you feel good? Do you only welcome into your home those people you feel comfortable and safe with?
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #2
Safe self talk
Negative self talk, and ruminating on angers and worries (fight and fear/flight) gives the nervous system signals that the body is not safe. This is one aspect of health that we have power over. Awareness to the thoughts and emotions that we choose to perpetuate gives us the power to make positive changes. Are your thoughts and emotions towards yourself kind and loving?
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #3
Conscious choice
We all have the power to choose our thoughts, stories, attitudes, beliefs, emotions and behaviours when we are aware. Busy thoughts and over thinking on problems and worries can be programming the nervous system into a stress mode. Give your nervous system and brain some restoration by rejecting unhelpful thoughts. The power of choice is the greatest power that we have to positively influence our life. What are you choosing to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to today?
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #4
Be present with appreciation
Train your nervous system to calm by being present to the moment. Worries about the future or ruminating about the past can cause the nervous system to react in stress. Instead, focus on what you have to appreciate. What is good and right in your life right now?
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #5
Build inner trust
When we consistently dishonour the body’s needs or the soul’s wisdom we create an internal struggle and stress responses. Taking space and time each morning and frequently throughout the day gives you the chance to hear and act on your body’s needs and intuition. Then trust, power and confidence in yourself can be strengthened.
Send Safety Signals to Your Body #6
Release toxins and pathogens
Toxic burden from the likes of pathogens (mould, bacteria, virus, parasites, yeasts), heavy metals, pesticides, cigarettes and everyday chemicals can put the body into a fight/flight/withdrawal/anxiety kind of stress response. It is the body’s way of alerting you to the fact that the internal environment is not safe and needs to be dealt with. Supporting detoxification and immune function to clear out these toxins can reduce huge amounts of stress affecting the body and brain functions. These are the most common toxins that I find affecting the people who I work with for healing.
Parasites: Parasites can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to inflammation throughout the body. They disrupt sleep which is a powerful body function for healing. They can also cause constipation, which further increases toxicity.
Mold: Mold directly affects our body’s stress reaction pathways, creating an inflammatory response in the brain and other organs that can lead to chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It has the energetic affect in the body much like it has in nature where it is associated with the sense of ‘lay down and die’. So if you are feeling that deep sense of powerlessness and hopelessness then it is worth looking into mold or mycotoxin (the microscopic airborne component of mold) involvement.
Bacteria: There is a unique bacterial component in the gut and in the brain - it is called the microbiome. Microbes support the health of the gut and nervous system by providing the optimal environment and symbiotic relationships with the body for health. When there is a bacterial infection or overgrowth of bacteria that are not supportive, the nervous system of the brain and the gut can be dis regulated and show signs of stress such as irritability, headaches, fatigue.
Candida: This is a yeast that is naturally occurring in the body yet when it is overgrown, it will cause stressful symptoms such as sugar cravings, irritability, fatigue, brain fog, physical discomfort and agitation.
Chemical Toxicity: Toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and even environmental pollutants can all contribute to fight or flight mode by increasing stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Heavy metals in particular can cause a range of unwanted neurological symptoms such as memory problems, concentration difficulties, restlessness, irritability, mood swings and a range of other cognitive challenges. This can then contribute to those feelings of powerlessness and anxiety.
The first step to empowering your body in the face of toxicity is to make sure that you are always drinking filtered water. Be mindful of what you are putting on and in your body. Air quality is also important to consider.
And if all of this sounds too overwhelming or confusing then don’t worry. That is why we have muscle testing. I regularly use muscle testing to check in with my own body at times to find the root cause of what is disturbing my nervous system. This was a big part of the reason for our move to Bridgetown. My nervous system needed less noise, electromagnetic frequencies, wind and other stimulation that I was exposed to while living in Fremantle.
Stay tuned for my online courses that I am currently developing which will help you to tap into your own healing powers. In the meantime, I am conducting Kinesiology consultations Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and use muscle testing so that your body can show you its answers. You can email me at info@soulnurturing.com.au to enquire about appointments.