Mindfulness is a beautiful self healing tool we can use to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system, rest our sympathetic nervous system, as well as cultivate more joy and ease in our days. There are practices that offer a deeper connection to mindfulness such as yoga, Tai Chi, breathwork, hot and cold therapy, and journaling. These practices heighten our self-awareness, deepen the connection to ourselves, and make space for healing and growth. There are habits that we can cultivate to practice mindfulness daily.
We have a beautiful autonomic nervous system that includes our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. As you may know, our sympathetic nervous system responds to our stressors in life, which is really important. It prepares our body and mind for that "fight or flight" response, literally. It prepares us to give that public speaking piece, run that marathon, or a classic example of fighting that bear you may come across in the woods. When our sympathetic nervous system responds there are many things going on in the body at a biological level. This stress response is healthy short-term. When this stress response is frequent or chronically activated is wreaks havoc on our wellness. Biologically, stress hormones are released (initially epinephrine and norepinephrine, then cortisol), blood sugar becomes elevated to send energy to our muscles, there is a pause to the digestion process, we may empty our bowel or bladder to become lighter and more prepared for the stressor, and our vision is narrowed on the real or perceived threat. This is just a basic example of some of the biologic responses of the sympathetic nervous system response. So, imagine if we allow ourselves to be in such a state frequently or chronically.
Living in a modern world that moves very fast, there are societal pressures, maybe family stressors and pressures, constant to do lists, and being constantly on the go activates our sympathetic nervous system more often than our ancestors. We are seeing stress as a common causal factor of illness. It is actually recognized as a major contributing factor to chronic preventable disease. I was thinking about something this morning while driving. We come into this world, grow, and evolve dependent upon conditioned beliefs from our parents and society. We learn different values and belief systems. We find out education is important and we should go to college and become something. In America, getting married and having a family is encouraged and seems to be a priority in our culture. These are all stressors. Figuring out a career, going to college, and giving birth all cause a stress response in the body biologically. Naturally, change can ignite a stress response in the body. As I mentioned before, it is a beautiful thing that our body can aid us in this. One important thing I don't recall learning is how to manage stress. There are amazing self healing modalities we can make a part of our lifestyle to manage our stress, support our body's wellness, vitality, and longevity. We can't eliminate the stressors of life, but we can certainly learn ways to manage stress in healthy ways so we don't imbalance our nervous system which can alter our state of health. Allow mindfulness to be preventative medicine for you! Sometimes, we don't even know how certain stressors are affecting us until its a little too late and we are unwell. So, nourish your nervous system, tap into the power and healing of your own body, and at the same time you can cultivate more joy and ease in your life.
Maybe ask yourself where you are living most of your days... in a sympathetic nervous system state or a parasympathetic (rest and digest) state? Cultivating more of this rest and digest state enhances our life, our well being, our joy, and our peace. So, mindfulness is a tool that can allow us to activate our parasympathetic nervous system more often. There is such a blend of the science and spirituality on this topic and that is why I love it so much. Take some time in the morning when you rise to create some mindful moments. When you rise, take three deep breaths, connect with your breath, your essence, and your being. Become aware of your breath flowing through you and find gratitude in rising for a new day. When you rise and drink water (hopefully you are hydrating first before coffee!), become aware of the access you have to clean drinking water and the ability to hydrate and support your bodily functions for the day. Step outside and take some deep breaths, as you do so pause and connect to your senses. What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel? What do you taste? Connecting with the essences of nature in moments allows for presence, ease, gratitude, and joy. Hear the birds song, feel the warmth of the sun, smell the fresh air...let your body and mind connect to just being and find presence. Nature is a beautiful way to connect to the present moment. Nature is medicinal, make space for a daily dose,
as we know moving through this lifetime we will encounter and accumulate many stressors. The more we practice having mindful moments, the more mindful we become.
How amazingly beautiful is it that we can use our breath, our intention, our awareness, the sunshine, gifts from mother earth, and connection as medicine for our body, mind, and spirit. It is medicine for our autonomic nervous system. It is medicine for optimal health, vibrant health, and longevity. We no longer have to define health as the absence of disease. Health should be something that makes us feel alive and should be optimized as we live out this precious gift of life each day.
A little poem I wrote during one of my mindful mornings...
With so much love and healing energy,
Ali <3
Commenti