What is the Nervous System and how do I strengthen it?
What is the nervous system?
The body’s nervous system is divided into a Central and Peripheral Nervous System.
Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of your brain, spinal cord and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) are all the nerves which make up the highway to all your body organs, muscles, tissues, and cells and your sensory organs (eyes, ears, tongue, sensation of touch, etc).
The PNS can be divided further into the Autonomic and Somatic nervous systems.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Does the work for you involuntary. It keeps your heart beating, your lungs breathing, and does not require your conscious effort to work.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS): You can volunteer to do the work, e.g. moving a muscle. It carries information to the brain, and sends motor movements to the muscles.
Lastly, the ANS is divided again into the Parasympathetic Nervous System and the Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic System: Your rest and digest phases. It facilitates digestion, sleep, down regulates your heart.
Sympathetic System: Your fight or flight mechanism. It increases your heart beat, increases airflow, and keeps your body strong for the battle.
Your brain is like the master controller- nothing you can see, feel, smell, touch, hear, taste, perceive can occur without your brain telling your body.
Common disorders of the Nervous System
There are several common disorders of the nervous system. Some include:
Stroke
Alzheimer’s
Dementia
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Migraines
Seizures
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
How to strengthen your Nervous System
Stay hydrated. Your brain is 70% water - it will know when you have not met your daily recommended water intake.
Eat good fat! Your brain’s dry weight is 60% fat, over ½ of that is omega 3s…
Get lots of B Vitamins. They play a role in how well your brain and nerves function.
Get a chiropractic exam and adjustment.
Practice Deep Breathing. Yoga, meditation, conscious breathing to combat stress
Rest. During deep sleep is a chance to reset/reboot your body - take advantage of that nightly by getting 8-10hrs of sleep/night.
If you have any of the Following Symptoms get checked by a medical doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Room.
Irregular heart rate/ heart beat
Dizziness/Lightheadedness
Fainting
Unsteady/Poor Coordination
Pain that is worse at night and is described as deep, achy
“The Worst Headache of my Life”
Blurred Vision/ Double Vision
