Uncovering Calm: The Path to a Balanced Nervous System

Feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, or just plain anxious all the time? You’re not alone - and this brand new She Found Motherhood Podcast episode is for you.

Dr. Sarah Lea sits down with the incredible Rachel Mark - Registered Acupuncturist, Integrative Health Coach, and self-proclaimed body-nerd with degrees in Kinesiology, Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. What do these fields all have in common? They have formed Rachel's journey to deepening her understanding of the nervous system and the body's incredible interconnectedness in its ability to heal.

Dr. Sarah and Rachel unpack the trickle-down effect of constant stress and overwhelm, especially in motherhood, and share relatable, real-life insights alongside practical tools to help you shift from “always on” to more ease and balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic states. Let's break it down here.

Understanding the Nervous System

In today’s fast-paced environment, many of us find ourselves in a constant state of stress, often without even realizing it. The autonomic nervous system specifically focuses on the balance between the parasympathetic (relaxed) and sympathetic (activated) states. Recognizing where we fall on this continuum is the first step to managing stress.

The Awareness Step

To address stress effectively, spend a few minutes each day reflecting on daily activities and rating the level of stress you're experiencing, to identify patterns. Utilizing tools like the Aura Ring can help monitor levels of stress throughout the day and acknowledge triggers that heighten alertness, which you might not have noticed consciously, but without fancy tools, you can also just take a moment to breathe and check in with yourself. As part of this practice, pay attention to what media you consume and what impact it can have on your state of mind throughout the day.

Morning Routines Matter

After you've brought awareness and noted your patterns, it's time to start addressing them and making some changes. Begin by starting the day off on the right note. Implementing a calming morning routine, even as brief as five minutes of quiet time or reflection, can set the tone for the entire day and create a buffer against daily stressors.

The Power of Breath

Another good approach is starting with breath. Techniques like elongating an exhale or using box breathing can help us shift from a stressed state to a more relaxed one. Breathing is unique in being both an involuntary function and one that you can consciously control, making it an effective strategy for restoring balance and staying present.

Achieving balance isn't about eliminating stress entirely but finding harmony between the parasympathetic and sympathetic states. Raising awareness, adjusting small daily habits, and incorporating breath-work, can help manage stress effectively and enhance well-being. Remember, we are all doing our best with the tools we have - expand your toolkit so you can improve your life experience!

For a deeper dive, be sure to check out Radiant Effect, an online somatic coaching community, and Rachel's Instagram, at RachelMark.ca and website!

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