“Lately, I just can’t seem to shake my fatigue.”
“When busy days pile up, it’s hard to switch gears.”
“My body is tired, but my mind is still wide awake at night.”
At times like these, you often hear the phrase “balance your autonomic nervous system.”
It comes up constantly when you read about health and sleep, but what does the autonomic nervous system actually do?
And why do our daily habits matter so much?
What Is the Autonomic Nervous System?
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that automatically regulates the many functions that keep us alive, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, sweating and body temperature , without our having to consciously direct it.
Broadly speaking,
the sympathetic nervous system
→ tends to be active during activity and tension
the parasympathetic nervous system
→ is involved in rest, digestion and similar functions
there are these two branches.
A common misunderstanding here is the idea that
“sympathetic = bad”
“parasympathetic = good”
That’s how many people see it.
Concentrating on work.
Exercising.
Reacting quickly to danger.
In situations like these, the sympathetic nervous system is needed, too.
What matters is not making one side dominant, but your body switching appropriately between times of activity and times of rest .
Why Does “Balance” Matter?
Modern life makes it easy to stay in an active state for long stretches.
A computer at work, a smartphone on the commute.
Social media during breaks, and videos and news after getting home.
On top of that, we keep thinking about work and relationships, and are often exposed to information right up until we fall asleep.
Of course, we can’t simply conclude that this alone “throws the autonomic nervous system out of balance.”
However, if life continues with little contrast between activity and rest, it becomes easy to run short of time to rest the mind and body at all.
The autonomic nervous system is involved in a wide range of bodily functions, including sleep, circulation, digestion and temperature regulation.
That’s why, rather than trying to directly “control” it with some special method, building a lifestyle that doesn’t easily disrupt the body’s natural rhythms is what matters.
Habits That Help Balance the Autonomic Nervous System
The first thing to value is sleep and daily rhythm .
Try to wake up at about the same time each day, and get some natural light in the morning.
Morning light is an important signal for setting your body clock.
In the evening, dim the lights a little and avoid exposing yourself to bright light and stimulation right up until bedtime.
The key is a clear contrast between morning and night.
Next comes moderate exercise.
Exercise habits you can keep up without strain, such as walking, have many benefits for staying healthy, including for sleep and coping with stress.
Also, bathing is an easy habit to adopt for switching from the day’s activity to rest.
Soak in the bath, and afterward spend some quiet time a little away from your smartphone and work.
“Once I’ve had my bath, I’m done with work for the day.”
Setting a routine of your own like this can be a good idea.
The Surprisingly Important “Time to Do Nothing”
And something people today especially should keep in mind is time with less stimulation .
Social media during work breaks.
A smartphone on the train.
TV and videos once you’re home.
News and messages right up until bedtime.
Even while your body is sitting on the sofa, new information keeps pouring into your head.
So sometimes, put your smartphone down and
look out the window.
Close your eyes.
Breathe slowly.
Simply do nothing and let your mind wander.
Making time like this is one good option.
There’s no need to strain yourself, thinking “I have to rest my brain completely.”
What matters is stepping away for a while from always looking at or thinking about something, and reducing the stimulation coming in from outside .
Value Rest as Much as Activity
At La HEAD, you close your eyes in a calm, fully private room while we slowly care for not only your head but also your neck, shoulders and arms.
The busier your days, the more likely it is that
working,
filling your schedule,
exercising,
studying,
you’re used to “doing something,” while “doing nothing” tends to get pushed aside.
The autonomic nervous system isn’t something you can switch directly by will, like flipping a switch.
That’s exactly why
get morning light,
move your body moderately,
aim for regular sleep,
take a relaxing bath,
and sometimes, do nothing at all.
Rather than doing something special just once, it’s important to weave these small habits into your everyday life.
When it’s time to be active, be active.
When it’s time to rest, rest properly.
Your body works hard every day, so why not turn your attention not only to “what to do,” but also a little to “how to rest”?
We look forward to welcoming you.