It is important to start with the understanding that there are two ways your nervous system operates: Sympathetic & Parasympathetic. These are two sides of the same coin. Both are necessary, but we often get stuck in one over the other causing an imbalance in our bodies.
In our modern world filled with all sorts of stressors, we tend to get stuck in sympathetic. Now, this sounds nice at first because it seems like we are just really compassionate and caring individuals! Unfortunately, that's not how this goes.
Your sympathetic nervous system is all about fight or flight. It's revved up and ready to make sure you survive and keep going. This is absolutely necessary if you run into a bear, but not so much when you are trying to meet a deadline or get somewhere on time.
The sad thing is that your body can't tell the difference, so this side of your nervous system gets turned on and often stays on due to the lifestyles we lead today.
The problem with this is that certain necessary processes can only take place if we are in parasympathetic. I'm talking about digestion, detox, and healing.
Super minor, right?
There's a reason we call parasympathetic "rest & digest." It's because your body can't do those things when it's stressed and ready to fight a bear at the drop of a hat. But I definitely don't want to smile and wave if I'm face to face with a bear.
We have now begun a two-way conversation.
Breathwork is one of the best and easiest ways to help facilitate this communication and flip back and forth between either side of the coin. When you find yourself about to rush through a meal, stop and breathe.
Take 3 - 5 deep slow breaths in and out through your nose. Not your mouth.
This signals to your body that it is safe and can start to focus on digesting the food you're about to eat by switching into parasympathetic. Something as simple as this can make the biggest difference for someone who experiences digestive upset after meals. Do you feel nervous energy or anxiety coming on? Come back to your breath.
This is the language of your nervous system.
If you have been suffering through painful periods for a long time, stop and notice how your breath changes when your cycle comes. The immediate reaction of panic when dealing with painful cramping is to hold your breath or breathe very shallowly. Consciously bring yourself back to your slow deep breaths to help your body switch away from the panic of a Sympathetic response.