Beyond Bubble Baths: How to Hack Your Nervous System for Stress Relief

We all know the feeling: that constant knot in your stomach, the racing thoughts, the feeling of being one email away from a meltdown. Stress is a reality of our busy lives. What if there were ways to manage it beyond a relaxing bubble bath (although bubble baths are great too)?

Here we breakdown how our body reacts to stress and provide you with four practical tips for managing your stress.

Understanding The Nervous System

Our nervous system is the body's control centre, constantly monitoring and responding to internal and external cues (basically, everything that’s happening around you). It's a complex network of nerves that sends signals throughout your body, influencing everything from your heart rate and breathing to your digestion and emotions.

When we experience stress, the body goes into "fight-or-flight" mode, releasing stress hormones like cortisol. This can be helpful in short bursts (think running away from a bear), but chronic stress keeps the nervous system in overdrive, leading to possible health problems such as anxiety and fatigue. 

Let’s breakdown the key players in the stress response:

• The Two Branches: The nervous system has two main branches, each with opposing functions:
  
  
• The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" system, the SNS kicks in when you perceive danger or stress. It triggers a cascade of physiological changes to prepare your body for action. Your heart rate and breathing increase, blood sugar levels rise and blood flow gets diverted to your muscles. This is a vital survival mechanism, but chronic activation of the SNS can lead to negative health outcomes.
• The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Considered the "rest-and-digest" system, the PNS promotes relaxation and recovery. It slows down your heart rate and breathing, lowers blood pressure and aids in digestion. This is the state you want to be in most of the time to maintain optimal health and wellbeing.
• The Stress Hormones: When you encounter a stressor, your body releases a surge of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones trigger the SNS response, preparing you to deal with the threat. However, chronic stress keeps these hormones elevated, leading to problems like anxiety, insomnia and weakened immune function.

4 Practical Tools to Manage Stress for Busy Women

One of the key ways to manage stress lies in activating the parasympathetic system to restore calm to your body. Here are some simple techniques to regulate your nervous system and tame stress:

• Deep Breathing: This might seem basic, but it's incredibly effective. Focus on slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
• Mindfulness Techniques: Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness meditation or simply focus on the present moment. This can help quiet the mind and reduce stress.
• Movement is Medicine: Even short bursts of exercise can be incredibly beneficial for your nervous system. Go for a brisk walk, do some yoga stretches or dance it out to your favourite tunes!
• Connect with Nature: Spending time in nature has a calming effect on the nervous system. Go for a walk in the park, sit by a babbling brook or simply open a window and let the fresh air in.

There is no magical cure but every technique and tool forms part of the puzzle of better health and wellbeing. Remember that consistency is key! The more you practice these stress management techniques, the better you'll become at regulating your nervous system so you can say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to a life filled with energy, joy and purpose! 

PS - Please remember that all of this advice is general, and you should always speak to your healthcare professional for advice specific to you and your situation. Stress is complicated, and while these simple techniques can help reduce some overwhelm, chronic stress often requires professional, personalised support.