NEUROFIT WEEK 2: CLEARING

Last week showed how effective and nourishing embodiment practices can be for the nervous system. This week builds on that foundation by removing some of the habits that detract from proper nervous system health. We outline each of these below.

Eating within 3 hours of bed places undue strain on the nervous system. The majority of nervous system recovery takes place during sleep. By avoiding eating close to bed, you’ll allow your nervous system to properly recover, instead of diverting resources and attention towards digestion. NEUROFIT members who prioritize avoiding late-night eating report 6% more balanced check-ins.

Substances like alcohol (depressants) and caffeine (stimulants) also place undue strain on the nervous system. They impair the nervous system’s ability to properly recover and/or transition to a proper recovery state. Avoiding them leads to feeling noticeably more refreshed and focused as the nervous system re-balances itself.

Another major source of unnecessary stress on the nervous system is online content. The nervous system has not evolved to discern between what it sees online and in person - so removing triggering or activating content will help it to restore a proper resting baseline. Members who prioritize avoiding online stress report 22% more balanced check-ins.

One other source of stress is our interactions with other people. The emotional contagion effect is widely documented, and shows that we automatically absorb the emotions and beliefs about the world from those we surround ourselves with. An immediate way to reduce stress, then, is to reduce the time spent with those who we feel most stressed around. Members who prioritize avoiding social fatigue report 14% more balanced check-ins and 10% higher HRV.