nervous system regulation: just trendy or truly beneficial?

I’m sure you have seen “nervous system regulation” trending all over social media. It has become a much talked about term in the last couple of years, a little overwhelmingly so. Nervous system regulation has become a movement for health influencers and brands alike. Let’s dive in and talk about what nervous system regulation is and if it is truly beneficial for everyone. 

what is “nervous system regulation”?

I really like this analogy: 

“Imagine your nervous system as the conductor of a vast orchestra. Every musician (organ, tissue) plays a role, and the conductor ensures harmony. When everything’s in sync, you feel calm and focused. But when chaos ensues, it’s time for the conductor to step in.” (Meridian Health)

When you hear people talk about nervous system regulation, they are really talking about the autonomic nervous system. Specifically, the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic systems (rest and digest) and the vagus nerve, which is the primary driver of the parasympathetic nervous system. Regulating your nervous system means helping your body stay balanced between both systems to have an appropriate amount of stress: not too much or too little. 

The autonomic nervous system effects temperature regulation, blood pressure, heart rate, pupillary function, sexual function, gastrointestinal and bladder, and “extends from the central to the peripheral nervous system and help to maintain and control system homeostasis” (Gibbons).

sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic nervous system is what activates to protect us when danger is identified. It pulls us into the fight or flight response in times of stress, danger, or when there is a perceived threat. It activates an adrenaline response with a release of cortisol. It is a necessary bodily response that protects us and is often referred to as simply the stress response. 

parasympathetic nervous system

The opposite system is called parasympathetic (para meaning “against”) to combat stress. It is often referred to as the “rest and digest” function of the nervous system. The parasympathetic system provides calm and helps bring the body out of the stress response. The vagus nerve, which runs from the brain stem to the abdomen, is the longest component of the autonomic nervous system and helps bring relaxation to the body. 

what is a dysregulated nervous system?

To regulate the nervous system, something needs to be dysregulated and not working correctly. A dysregulated nervous system means either the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system is overactive or underactive causing imbalance and issues in how our body responds to stress. Typically, people are referring to an overactive sympathetic nervous system that causes chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, and cortisol issues. 

The opposite can also be true: the body can have an overactive parasympathetic nervous system, which can lead to chronic fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and digestive problems. A regulated nervous system means our bodies are using a proper amount of both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. When that is not the case, the nervous system is dysregulated and can cause various symptoms throughout the body. 

do i need to regulate my nervous system?

I personally have experienced autonomic nervous system issues directly correlating to a dysregulated nervous system. I have struggled with dysautonomia due to a brain injury and a few concussions. Dysautonomia is a diagnosis used to describe when the nervous system is unbalanced and leads to symptoms such as: blood pressure and heart rate issues, dizziness, temperature control, and digestive issues. 

That being said, not everyone needs to regulate their nervous system. It is not something everyone struggles with nor needs to worry about. I worked directly with my healthcare professionals to determine how I needed to assist my nervous system and address the symptoms I was experiencing. This is not going to be the case for everyone. But if you are experiencing symptoms related to stress, you may want to look into it with your doctor. It is not something I recommend self-diagnosing or relying solely on social media to teach you about regulating your nervous system. 

Now, some things people are recommending to regulate the nervous system are just good habits to have. Such as breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, being out in nature, less screen time, etc. Those are not bad things to integrate into your life and routine! Those small healthy habits are going to be good for pretty much everyone. It’s the specific or costly products, supplements, and equipment that not everyone is going to need. 

final thoughts

Nervous system regulation has become a topic of conversation for a reason. More and more people are realizing it is affecting their life and are seeking guidance on how to help their nervous system work properly. It is also being capitalized on with many influencers saying that everyone needs to be focused on their nervous system. Nervous system regulation has become a buzz phrase used to sell products, courses, and boost social media profiles. It is also a valid health concern. I recommend using discernment to determine if nervous system dysfunction is something you should look into with your doctor. We all go through stressful times in our lives and making it a focus may be beneficial for a season, but that doesn’t mean you have an autonomic nervous system condition. As with anything on social media, take what you need and leave the rest behind. 

Nervous system regulation: trendy, but sometimes valid. 

teresa margaret