Our nervous system is highly sensitive for a good reason: its job is to protect us. However, over time, with the amount of information we process and the constant stimulation around us, many of us have become over-sensitised. This often leaves us stuck in a fight-or-flight response — the survival part of our nervous system.
Nervous system reactions are deeply rooted in our prehistoric, animal brains. Although we are human, we still share many traits with the animal kingdom.
When we find ourselves stuck in stuck in the fight-or flight response we can feel constantly 'on edge' and anxious.
Living in this state for long periods can create many mental and physical problems. The body is constantly flooded with stress chemicals designed for survival, not for everyday functioning. This puts us in a continual crisis-management mode.
I often compare this to emergency services: they are essential in a crisis, but they don’t resolve the underlying issue, so the crisis is likely to happen again.
When the body and mind remain in fight-or-flight for years, this response can become the default setting. In other words, the system stays permanently switched on. It’s easy to imagine the long-term effects this can have.
As one client wisely said in a recent group therapy session, the mind becomes the prescription for the body.
What we need to do is give the body a different prescription.
We can do this by changing how we respond. Calming the nervous system through practices like meditation and mindfulness, spending time with people who nurture and understand us — people who truly see and hear us — and allowing ourselves proper rest.
A note on rest: during recovery, you may find that when you stop working or enter a more restful state, things feel worse at first. This is normal. It’s part of the body adjusting to change. The mind and body often resist change, even when it’s healing.
During this time, it’s important to be especially kind to yourself. Use therapy, increase self-care, say “no” when needed, and give yourself the time and space to heal.
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