Sweaty palms. Sweaty feet. Anxiety in your chest. Racing thoughts. Adrenaline spikes at the most random of times. 3am wake-ups. Moodiness. Fibromyalgia. Muscle pain. Lions, tigers, bears…wtf?

Your body is a highway system filled with nerves that communicate all sorts of things through the body, up to the brain. It communicates things like, “Oh, that feels noiiiice!” and also, “Holy shit, that’s HOT!”

The symapthetic nervous system is also responsible for the fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses.  The parasympathetic nervous system is there to go, “It’s all good in the hood—go chill.”

Basically, it rules your entire day-to-day operations. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably going, “Wait……..I thought there was one nervous system?!” Alas, the human body is even more complex than they teach us in high school biology, my friend, so buckle up!

The Nervous System Overview

As you can see here, the nervous system has multiple layers, each one in charge of different aspects to your experience/reality. Yes, reality, because when your nervous system is out of wack, your perception of the world is different. How could it not be? If you startle at a mug being placed on the counter too hard or a door slamming, then the world will feel and even look like a scary place.

So let’s go over the different types you’ll want to research a bit more to help bring your nervous system back to chill-mode. I’ve been reading recently about manifestation and there’s a lot of convincing theories surrounding the connection between a regulated nervous system and the ability to manifest your dream life.

Motivated now? Let’s dive in.

Autonomic Nervous System

If you’re disassociated or in a fugue some days, but somehow your body still keeps on truckin’…you can thank your autonomic nervous system for this 24/7 favor. It’s what regulates your digestion, heart rate, metabolism, and even your temperature. Thanks ANS!

Somatic Nervous System

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands—because your somatic nervous system lets you! All of your intentional movements and also, the “holy crap, that’s hot!” reflexes are controlled by your somatic nervous system.

Sympathetic Nervous System

As you can see above, the Sympathetic Nervous System is more reactionary and fear-based. That’s why when people are really afraid, they pee themselves. Or sweat profusely. When you’re stuck in fight-or-flight, due to not regulating your nervous system, you gain weight, have anxiety, and can even be a pretty sweaty person. You don’t have to be facing down a scary bear in the woods to experience the activation of the Somatic Nervous System.

And if you look at the response system as a whole, it’s no wonder fatigue is a #1 component of these issues!

Parasympathetic Nervous Service

This is where the Chill Zone lies. When you have a regulated nervous system or even experiencing a nice, relaxing moment, that’s when your Parasympathetic Nervous System is activated. You can lay on the couch without anxiety. You can spend time alone without racing thoughts. You’re able to lose weight and have more energy. Your body can also detox and digest more efficiently, which is why when you’re at peak nervous system regulation, you’re at the “rest and digest” zone.

Wrapping Up

I’m sure it’s clear at this point that the nervous system is multiple systems keeping our meat suits alive every day! Of course, like with any part of the human body, if one thing is out of wack, 12 things follow—which is why it’s vital that we all spend time regulating our nervous system!