Nourish your nervous system, say what? You might be asking yourself how on earth can a person “nourish” his/her nervous system?
Your nervous system is made up of nerves, electrical transmissions, and of course, your brain. In fact, it accounts for about 3% of your total body weight and is the most complex organ in your body. It is vital for life, as well as, for how you experience and appreciate life. Swiftly and briefly, the nervous system temporarily modifies other organ systems’ activities. Its three main functions are sensory input, interpretation to determine the appropriate response and motor output.
Nerves are your ‘electric circuit board.’
Any hiccups at all from sensory input to motor output results in problems. Stress and negative electromagnetic transmissions (EMFs) disrupt and influence this body system. Nervousness, irritability, hyperactivity, depression, insomnia, poor concentration and overwhelm may indicate attention needs to be given to your nervous system.
Since emotions, thoughts, and sensory perceptions are transmitted through your nerves, stress can affect your nervous system. Basically, if your nervous system is overtaxed, overcharged and overwhelmed, all body systems will be affected.
Taking care of your nervous system can help you restore and replenish your energy, stay focused without the caffeine jitter, and feel calm and relaxed so that you can get the rest you need when you need it.
Approaches to care for your nervous system for increased energy:
1. Learn and practice stress management techniques like relaxation exercises, deep breathing, meditation, prayer, gratitude, journaling, yoga or walking in outside (in a forest is best). Stress reduction lowers the impact on your nervous system and how it interacts with the other body systems. As well, these techniques help to balance emotions and
2. Explore coffee alternatives such as Yerba Mate, green tea, black tea, or Rooibos (African Red Bush) to avoid the caffeine jitter. I particularly enjoy Rooibos tea for breakfast and in the evening. It also makes a lovely iced tea.
3. Calcium has a soothing effect on the nervous system. Eat calcium-rich food for dinner (e.g. leafy greens, bone broth). If you take a calcium supplement, take it with dinner. Calcium facilitates nerve conductivity. Click HERE to learn how to make your own bone broth.
4. Using calming herbs such as chamomile, valerian, lemon balm and oats to encourage calm and relaxation. These herbs used as teas are particularly great for the evenings to help your mind and body calm down and relax for a comfortable sleep. Dr. Alan Christianson, the author of The Adrenal Reset Diet, suggests using lemon balm as a morning adrenal tonic.[1] In a double-blind study of humans, the lemon-balm users felt calmer when challenged by stress. [2] Have a cup of lemon balm tea in the morning and finish your day with a mug of warm chamomile tea.
5. Incorporate fish like salmon, sardines or cod into your diet a couple of times per week. Alternatively, use fish oil supplements with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which help the nervous system to function, aid in mental clarity and provides anti-inflammatory protection.
6. Include wholesome natural foods that provide B vitamins. B vitamins help to make the myelin sheath that envelopes your nerves and acts as insulation much like the coating on electrical wires and cords. Stress tends to cause your body to burn through the available B vitamins. Many of the B vitamins are needed for energy production, so boosting them with nutrient-dense foods can only help with your energy levels. Simply incorporate a large leafy green salad daily. Then add legumes and whole grains to get your full complex of B vitamins.
7. Strengthen the nervous system with nervine herbs such as burdock, dandelion, ginkgo, nettle, oaks and Siberian ginseng. [3] [4] Nervine herbs can be taken as tinctures (extracts) or as strong infusions (teas). [5] “Consuming gentle nervines earlier in the day is very helpful for individuals who feel irritable or anxious as a result of stress, and for those who struggle with insomnia. Gentle nervines keep the nervous system from getting too revved up, and they encourage a person to have a relaxing evening and a more restful sleep.” [6]
Resources
[1] Alan Christianson, NMD, The Adrenal Reset Diet, (New York: Harmony Books, 2014) 123.
[2] DO Kennedy, W Little, CF Haskell, AB Scholey, “Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officials and Valeriana officials during laboratory-induced stress,” Phytotherapy Research 20(2): 96-102, http://www.herbalmedicineuk.com/anxiolytic-effects-combination-melissa-officinalis-valeriana-officinalis-laboratory-induced-stress/
[3] Dr. Marisa Marciano, ND, “What is a Nervine?” The Naturopathic Herbalist Blog, http://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbal-actions/l-r/nervine/
[4]Kathy Abascal, B.S., J.D., R.H. and Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H., “Nervine Herbs for Treating Anxiety,” Alternative & Complementary Therapies, Dec 2004, http://hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Nervine_Herbs_for_Treating_Anxiety.pdf
[5] Christa Sinadinos, Clinical Herbalist, “Stress Relief with Nervine Herbs,” Starwest Botanicals, http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/content/stress_relief.html
[6] Sinadinos.