Overview of the Nervous System

Anxiety to Energy is based on the science of the nervous system. This is the home of our fight/flight stress response and our calm restorative rested/ready response.  When we are 'activated' or stressed this means our Sympathetic Nervous System is switched on. When this happens a whole lot of other things happen in our bodies including:

• Digestion slows or stops

• Pupils dilate to help us see what's immediately in front of us and we lose focus on what is around us (peripheral vision)

• Heart rate increases

• The brain starts to drip hormones that ready us to run or fight

• The body burns larger amounts of energy by carrying tension in the muscles 

• We lose access to our higher thinking (wisdom, problem solving, relating to others) because we are in survival mode

Anxiety occurs when we spend too much time in an activated state like what is described above.

Instead, we should be spending 80% or more of our time with our Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) switched on.  What happens when the PSNS is switched on? Take a look:

• Our body becomes receptive to food and nutrients

• We become aware of what's going on around us (pupils constrict to take in more information)

• The brain drips calming hormones like serotonin

• Heart rate slows

• The body creates energy reserves by being relaxed

• Our brain comes full 'online' because we are not in survival mode

• We can build relationships and connect to other people

So we can see that being in a Parasympathetic state (rested, ready and calm) is really important on many levels.  But for some of us, it's hard to switch into that mode.

Anxiety to Energy aims to help you switch from an anxious state to a rested / ready state more easily.  Breath is the fastest and most direct route to interact with your nervous system.

The course is designed to help you:

• Skill build your ability to calm anxiety and move yourself into a calmer, rested & ready mode with breath

• Support you in building self awareness around when you are anxious or becoming anxious

• Build your confidence that you can pilot your mind & body, not just be a passenger

Check out the visual guide below and let's get started with some breath techniques to support nervous system health.