By JENNIFER MEADOWS
Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy
Los Alamos
You’ve probably heard the term “fight, flight, or freeze” in relation to how we respond to stress. When we are in a stressful situation, our bodies are more concerned about survival than anything else. Our autonomic nervous system (ANS) enters into a sympathetic state, meaning we are on high alert. We either fight back, flee the scene, or shut down/freeze until the situation (a perceived threat) has been resolved, and it is safe to move on.
When the sympathetic system is activated, adrenaline is released, our heart rate increases, bronchial tubes dilate, and muscles begin to contract. At the same time, secretion of mucus and gastric juices slow down, as do the churning of our intestines. These are all useful responses when we need to get ourselves out of a situation.
In contrast, when our ANS is operating in a parasympathetic state, healing and restoration can occur, and we enter into “rest and digest” mode. When the parasympathetic system is activated, the effects are the opposite of what happens in a sympathetic state. Saliva, mucus, and gastric juices are produced, motility in the intestines increases, and the heart rate slows. These are all responses we need if we are going to absorb nutrients, get good sleep, or reproduce.
The thing is, we can’t be in rest and digest mode when we are under stress.
Our brains have different ideas for what qualifies as “stress.” For our bodies, though, stress equals stress. There’s no differentiation between emotional stress, physical stress, mental stress, or biochemical stress. Whether we just had a fender bender, had an argument with a loved one, caught a cold, didn’t get enough sleep, or had to eat breakfast as we ran out the door late to a meeting, our bodies read those situations as the same.
You may be eating the healthiest foods available, but if you’re eating it with your ANS in sympathetic mode, you are not absorbing all the great nutrients you’re eating. To activate your parasympathetic nervous system, eat your meals at a table, sitting down, and take a few deep breaths to slow everything down before you begin your meal.
Wake up a little earlier to give yourself time to eat breakfast before heading out the door in the mornings. Guard your lunchtime so that you have the space to slow down to eat. Avoid watching the news or having hard conversations while you’re eating.
Give yourself the gift of a break from the fast-paced world we live in, and take a few minutes to enter into “rest and digest” mode. The nutrients you absorb will in turn provide your body with what it needs to handle the next stressful situation.
The information presented in this article should not be used to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or condition. It is intended for educational purposes only.
Jennifer Meadows helps people feel their best through targeted nutritional therapy at Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy. She uses testing alongside consults to identify imbalances and deficiencies, develops customized plans, and provides ongoing support to help clients reach their health goals. Visit her website at www.deeplyrootednutritionaltherapy.com to learn more.
