Understanding The Autonomic Nervous System

Our nervous system functions are essential because it affects how we are physically and emotionally and how quickly we can bring ourselves back into balance after a shock or a triggering event.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of your nervous system that controls most of the involuntary reflexes in your body, like your heart rate, pupil dilation, and digestion.

Adults who have experienced trauma at an early age are prone to experiencing dysregulation of the nervous system, especially when stressed. Dysregulation is known to be linked to depression, addiction, anxiety and emotional outbursts.

When the autonomic nervous system is dysregulated, there is an imbalance in these two systems. With the amount of stress many people experience in typical day-to-day living, most people find their fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) is overactive.

If you worry a lot and are flooded with stress hormones too often, these affect your nervous system’s ability to self-correct.

This is why it is important to do things that regulate your nervous system. Stay tuned for tips on how to do this.

I hope this is informative.

Love always, Jen