Revitalize Your Resilience: The Power of Central Nervous System Care
Health is often viewed as only physical well-being, but our resilience is also a critical aspect of overall health. It encompasses our emotional and mental well-being, as well as the state of our bodies.
“Resilience is not just about being stable and robust at all times, but also having the ability to use tools to recover and restore balance when faced with challenges.”
Maintaining physiological soundness is crucial in fostering resilience.
Understanding Resilience
The resilience theory refers to the ideas about how someone’s affected by and adapts to challenging things like change, loss, risk, and adversity.
Researchers often discuss these principles below, involved in building resilience:
● Gratitude (for everything)
● Acceptance (self-acceptance and that of others)
● Forgiveness (toward yourself and others)
● Meaning (your ability to find it)
● Compassion (toward yourself and others)
● Central Nervous System Regulation
I firmly believe that development of resilience is a highly individual and multifaceted process, that requires a delicate balance of inner fortitude and the right external support. To enhance one's resilience, it is imperative to attend to the regulation of the central nervous system, including stimulation of the vagus nerve.
Unleash Your Resilience: A Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation
An anatomical sketch of the 10th cranial nerve, also known as the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that originates from the brainstem and extends to various organs in the body. It is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves and has both sensory and motor functions.
The vagus nerve has two branches, the dorsal and ventral branches, each with distinct functions:
Dorsal Branch: This branch is primarily responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain. It conveys information related to sensations such as pain, temperature, and pressure.
Ventral Branch: The ventral branch has motor functions and is responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to the organs in the body. It controls the activity of various muscles, glands, and organs, including the heart, lungs, digestive system, and larynx.
Overall, the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating numerous physiological processes, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory function, among others. It also plays a role in regulating mood and reducing anxiety and stress.
“Your vagus nerve is responsible for helping your body switch between your flight-or-fight response and rest and repair mode. ”
Stimulating the vagus nerve can have a positive impact on overall health and resilience.
A journal on soft fabric, in a cosy environment
Stanley Rosenberg, a psychologist and expert in the field of Vagus Nerve Health, identifies the dorsal and ventral branches of the vagus nerve as part of the Polyvagal Theory, which explains how the vagus nerve and its two branches play a crucial role in regulating our autonomic nervous system and emotional state.
According to Rosenberg, the dorsal branch is associated with the "freeze response," which is a survival mechanism that occurs when we perceive a threat. This branch activates the body's defense system, which results in a state of immobility and reduced sensory input.
On the other hand, the ventral branch of the vagus nerve is associated with the "social engagement system." It is responsible for regulating the muscles of the face and voice, enabling us to engage in social interaction, express emotions, and make vocalizations. The ventral branch also plays a role in regulating heart rate, breathing, and digestion, among other functions.
In summary, according to Rosenberg, the dorsal branch is associated with the body's defense system, while the ventral branch is associated with social engagement and regulation of various physiological processes.
Here are several key practices you can implement to support and care for your vagus nerve, which will enhance your resilience and foster a more optimistic mindset:
Mindfulness
Meditating on God’s Word
Exercise
Massage
Music
Cold water immersion
Deep breathing exercises
humming
progressive muscle relaxation