The nervous system is largely responsible for emotional balance because it regulates our stress hormones.
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CO-CEO, NEUROFIT
1 MINUTE READ
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UPDATED MAY 17, 2023
EMOTIONAL IMBALANCE & DYSREGULATION
The nervous system is a major factor in emotional balance. It is responsible for regulating the body's response to stress, and for maintaining a healthy level of hormones such as serotonin, cortisol and norepinephrine. It follows that when the nervous system is dysregulated, emotional imbalance is often experienced as a result.
SEROTONIN: THE HAPPY HORMONE
Serotonin is a hormone that helps to regulate mood, and it is often referred to as the "happy hormone". When levels of serotonin are low, we can feel depressed or anxious. And it turns out that the Enteric Nervous System (gut-brain) is responsible for producing over 90% of our body's serotonin. So it makes sense that when our gut is out of balance, our mood can suffer as a result.
CORTISOL: THE STRESS HORMONE
Cortisol is another hormone that plays a role in emotional balance. It is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because it is released in response to stress. When levels of cortisol are too high, we can feel anxious or overwhelmed. And when levels are too low, we can feel tired or sluggish.
NOREPINEPHRINE: THE FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT HORMONE
Norepinephrine is yet another hormone that is involved in emotional balance. It is sometimes referred to as the "fight-or-flight hormone" because it is released in response to stress. When levels of norepinephrine are too high, we can feel anxious or on edge. And when levels are too low, we can feel tired or apathetic.
BALANCING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM TO BALANCE EMOTIONS
One simple way to regulate the nervous system is through lifestyle changes. For example, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can all help to promote a healthy nervous system.
Another commonly effective way is to reduce the stress input to the body. Taking a social media break, avoiding alcohol or other substances that stress the body, and practicing self-care are all great ways to reduce stress input.
If you're struggling with emotional imbalance, remember that it may very well be impersonal and due to a dysregulated nervous system. Fortunately, there are a number of different ways that you can help to regulate your nervous system and achieve emotional balance.
80% of the nerves in the human body are "afferent" - running from body to brain. Under stress, when the nervous system and thinking brain tell different stories, the nervous system almost always wins.
NeuroFit is a nervous system trainer. Through daily check-ins, biometric measurements via your phone's camera, and tailored exercises, it removes stress at the source. Available for iOS & Android.
Dysregulation is when the nervous system stops functioning properly and perceives events as stressful or overwhelming due to high allostatic load (baseline stress level). This happens when its baseline has moved significantly away from the default ventral vagal state, often due to chronic stress, trauma, poor sleep, and poor diet. This brings about a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even autoimmune disease.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. This is the body's natural response to a perceived threat. The sympathetic nervous system kicks in and prepares the body to either fight the threat or run away from it. The body's heart rate increases, blood flow to the muscles increases, and the body releases adrenaline and other hormones.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.
Nervous System Fitness is the degree of flexibility and resilience of one's nervous system. The name implies that the nervous system can be trained and strengthened, much like physical fitness.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.