10 WAYS STILLNESS BENEFITS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Learn how adding Stillness to your daily routine can improve your nervous system balance and well-being.
A well-balanced nervous system is the foundation of our mental and physical well-being - and stillness is an often overlooked but powerful tool to balance it.
This is supported by our NEUROFIT App data: members who prioritize stillness report 27% more balanced check-ins and 5% higher HRV.
Sitting at the top of the NEUROFIT Ring, the Stillness state combines our body's rest-and-digest and Dorsal Vagal immobilization responses - and it can be beneficial to our wellbeing in many ways.
The NEUROFIT Ring shows the six possible nervous system states, and the transitions between them.
1. Reduces Chronic Stress
Chronic stress has become a silent epidemic, affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. By integrating moments of stillness into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce stress levels.
This quiet time helps your body shift from a high-alert state to a more relaxed one, easing the strain on your nervous system and reducing built-up stress in the body:
Chronic stress builds up in the nervous system, leading to mental and physical health challenges.
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular relaxation techniques can lower stress and improve overall health.
2. Enhances Emotional Balance
Stillness allows you to process emotions without overwhelming your nervous system. When you take time to be still, you give your body and mind the space to reset. This practice can lead to improved emotional stability and decreased mood swings. Adding stillness can also reduce the emotional imbalances stemming from chronic stress.
3. Improves Sleep Quality
A consistent stillness practice can improve the quality of your sleep. When your nervous system is balanced, falling asleep and staying asleep become easier. Try adding a few minutes of stillness before bed to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. For example, you can try the Eye Press Breathing exercise to prepare your body for sleep:
The NEUROFIT App's smart exercise library matches you with somatic exercises that relieve stress within three minutes.
4. Boosts Creativity
Stillness supports greater mental clarity, which is essential when you're trying to access creativity.
When your mind isn’t cluttered with stress and anxiety, you can think more freely and creatively.
Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or problem-solver, adding stillness into your routine can be a game-changer. I’ve personally experienced breakthroughs in business after moments of stillness.
5. Strengthens the Vagal Brake
The Vagal Brake is a part of the Vagus Nerve that controls the shifts between different nervous system states. A regular stillness practice strengthens the Vagal Brake, leading to smoother transitions between states and a more resilient nervous system. This resilience is key for handling life’s ups and downs with grace and composure.
6. Supports Digestive Health
Your digestive system is closely tied to your nervous system. Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on digestion, leading to issues like IBS and indigestion. By practicing stillness, you can calm your nervous system, which in turn supports better digestive health. Our NEUROFIT app users often report improved gut health as a secondary benefit of nervous system regulation. Recent research also highlights the connection between stress and our gut-brain axis.
7. Reduces Anxiety and Overthinking
Anxiety and overthinking are common symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system. Stillness helps quiet the mind and reduce the mental chatter that fuels anxiety. By creating a habit of stillness, you can break the cycle of overthinking and find a sense of inner peace.
8. Enhances The Mind-Body Connection
Stillness fosters a deeper connection between your mind and body. This connection is essential for overall well-being, as it allows you to tune into your body’s needs and respond appropriately. Through stillness, you learn to listen to your body’s signals more clearly, and cultivate a more harmonious relationship with yourself.
9. Promotes Better Decision Making
When your nervous system is balanced, you can make decisions with greater clarity and confidence. Stillness provides the mental space needed to reflect and consider your options, leading to more thoughtful and informed choices. Harvard Business Review highlights the importance of stillness practices for leaders and decision-makers in high-stress environments.
10. Facilitates Nervous System Recovery
Finally, stillness is a powerful tool for nervous system recovery. Whether you’re recovering from burnout, trauma, or chronic stress, adding stillness into your routine can accelerate the healing process. At NEUROFIT, we’ve seen firsthand how moments of stillness can transform lives by restoring balance and promoting overall well-being.
Practical Ways to Apply Stillness
Morning Meditation: Start your day with 5-10 minutes of quiet reflection.
Mindful Breathing: Take breaks throughout the day to focus on your breath. For example, try the Heart Focused Breathing somatic exercise:
Evening Wind Down: Spend a few minutes in stillness before bed to signal your body it’s time to sleep.
Nature Walks: Find a quiet spot in nature to sit and be still.
Body Scanning: Practice body scanning techniques to tune into how different parts of your body feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I practice stillness each day?
Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day, and gradually increase the duration as you feel more comfortable.
Can stillness help with physical ailments?
Yes, stillness can support the healing process by reducing stress and promoting relaxation, which are key for recovery from physical ailments.
How does stillness benefit mental health?
Stillness helps reduce anxiety, improve emotional balance, and enhance overall mental clarity, contributing to better mental health.
Is stillness the same as meditation?
Stillness can include meditation, but it can also be as simple as sitting quietly and focusing on your breath or surroundings, or doing a stillness-focused somatic exercise.
Incorporating stillness into your daily routine can have lasting benefits for your nervous system and overall well-being. At NEUROFIT, we’ve dedicated our technology to making nervous system regulation accessible and effective.
The NEUROFIT App's guided nervous system program is designed to reduce stress and resolve burnout within a few weeks.
