How Your Stress Affects Your Success

Stress is the price you pay for success, but only if you buy into hustle culture. 

Overwhelm, anxiety and burnout have become the norm in this frenetic society we find ourselves in. From juggling careers alongside the demands of family life to managing personal goals and financial obligations, stress can seem unavoidable and even a measure of success. If you’ve ever been stuck in a room full of people comparing how busy they are and bragging about how little sleep they’re getting, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

You might be familiar with meditation and yoga as stress management tools (provided you do them on a regular basis), you might also be familiar with alcohol and anxiety meds as stress management tools. But what if you’ve got everything you need right now, at your disposal, to better manage your stress?

Enter: nervous system regulation.

Get a handle on this and you’ll transform your ability to cope with life’s challenges, vastly reduce the effects stress has on your mind and body and achieve greater levels of life satisfaction. Sounds too simple right? Which is exactly why most people dismiss it.

What is nervous system regulation?

The nervous system is the body’s command centre, controlling everything from basic physiological processes to complex cognitive functions. It’s divided into two main parts: the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system which connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body via a network of nerves – these are the ones that other people get on.

Nervous system regulation refers to the processes that help maintain balance within this complex system. A regulated nervous system keeps your body in a state of homeostasis where it can respond to both external and internal stressors in an appropriate way and return to a state of calm once the stress has passed. The autonomic nervous system (ANS), a part of the peripheral nervous system, plays a crucial role in this regulation and is what’s being referred to when someone talks about nervous system regulation. The ANS is divided into two branches:

1. Sympathetic nervous system: often referred to as the “fight or flight” system, it prepares the body to respond to perceived threats (real or imagined) by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils and releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
2. Parasympathetic nervous system: known as the “rest and digest” system, it promotes relaxation and recovery by slowing the heart rate, aiding digestion and conserving energy.

Effective nervous system regulation ensures that these two branches are balanced, allowing you to respond appropriately to stress and then return to a state of relaxation once the stress has passed. The trouble is, most people are stuck in a constant state of stress and their nervous systems never return to a state of relaxation.

Why is nervous system regulation so important?

1. Improved mental health: chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. By regulating the nervous system you can reduce the impact of stress  and improve your emotional well-being
2. Enhanced physical health: Persistent activation of your sympathetic nervous system can result in health problems such as hypertension, heart disease
3. Better Cognitive Function: Stress impairs our ability to think clearly and make decisions. When our nervous system is regulated, we can maintain better focus, memory, and problem-solving skills.
4. Increased Resilience: A well-regulated nervous system enhances our ability to cope with life’s challenges, making us more resilient in the face of adversity.

How to Regulate Your Nervous System

1. Breathing Exercises: Deep, slow breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Techniques such as box breathing or the 4-7-8 method can be particularly effective (breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, exhale for a count of 8).
2. HeartMath: Learning to tap your heart’s innate wisdom, choose a calm, positive state on demand and influence your heart rhythms is one of the most effective ways to retrain an overstressed nervous system. When practised regularly, HeartMath helps to reduce cortisol levels and increase DHEA levels (the body’s natural anti-aging hormone). If this appeals to you, please get in touch with me – I’m a HeartMath practitioner and I LOVE sharing this powerful work with people.
3. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness meditation help shift the body from a state of stress to one of calm, enhancing nervous system regulation over time.
4. Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help balance the nervous system by reducing stress hormones and increasing endorphins, which promote feelings of well-being.
5. Healthy Sleep Habits: Quality sleep is essential for nervous system regulation. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and establish a consistent sleep routine.
6. Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in whole foods supports overall health, including the nervous system. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial. I also recommend supplementing with 5-HTP and Ashwagandha for stress support.
7. Social Connections: Positive social interactions can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Spend time with loved ones and engage in meaningful conversations.
8. Therapeutic Techniques: Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and somatic experiencing can help regulate the nervous system by integrating body awareness with movement and breath.
9. Professional Support: Sometimes, professional guidance from a therapist or coach can be invaluable in learning how to effectively regulate your nervous system.

Are you looking for a happier life?

Nervous system regulation is a cornerstone of mental and physical health. By understanding and implementing techniques to maintain balance within this system, you’ll enhance your resilience, improve your overall well-being, and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. In short, when you feel better, you do better. So if greater success is what you’re seeking, learning to regulate your nervous system is one of the keys to that success. Whether through simple daily practices like deep breathing or seeking professional support, taking steps to regulate your nervous system is an investment in your long-term health and happiness.

I’m here to help. With my HeartMath training I can offer nervous system regulation training alongside life coaching which is a potent combination for taking back control of your emotional life, achieving your goals and creating a life that’s everything you desire.

Get in touch with me here to schedule a free call to find out more.