In the last blog we looked at energy form a Western and Eastern perspective. We explored the metaphor of energy being like that of a currency. We touched base with the concept of energy and physiology being two sides of the same coin. This blog explores the relationship between the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the energy system, when functioning well and then, not so well. It outlines the consequences of when lifes' challenges mount without creating time to pause and reset. I illustrate how I use the energy system to cultivate awareness of the multifaceted nature of wellbeing in the people I work with. Finally, we will look at how our beliefs shape our health and wellbeing. This is so often the biggest stumbling block to people moving forwards.
Energy and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
The analogy of a high striker at a fairground can be used to explain how the autonomic nervous system responds to various challenges. A high striker is a game where participants use a mallet to strike a lever, attempting to ring a bell at the top. The force exerted determines how high the striker goes. Similarly, the autonomic nervous system, which consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, responds to different stimuli, adjusting the body's physiological state.
High Striker and the Autonomic Nervous System: Imagine the high striker as a representation of the autonomic nervous system. The lever represents the body's response to challenges, and the bell at the top signifies a particular physiological state or response.
Striking Force and Stimuli: In the game, the force with which you strike the lever determines how high it goes. Similarly, the autonomic nervous system responds with varying intensity to different stimuli, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional. Each individuals response will be different, depending on their own unique life experiences.
Sympathetic Activation: When faced with a challenge or stressor, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system engages, much like the forceful strike on the high striker. This activation triggers the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for action.
Height Reached: The height the striker reaches on the high striker reflects the intensity of the body's response. In the autonomic nervous system, the degree of activation determines the physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and heightened alertness.
Parasympathetic Response: After the striker reaches its peak, it falls back down. Similarly, once the challenge subsides, the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system counteracts the sympathetic response. This is known as the "rest and digest" response, promoting relaxation and recovery.
This analogy provides a relatable way to explain the autonomic nervous system's role in responding to challenges, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional.
The analogy above can be used to highlight the dynamic nature of our energy levels too, and how they parallel the way the autonomic nervous system responds to challenges. Just as the autonomic nervous system modulates our physiological responses based on the demands of different situations, our energy levels adjust to meet the demands of our daily life. On a moment by moment or indeed daily basis our energy levels will rise and fall to meet our physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Maintaining balance within the ANS or Energy System is crucial for overall well-being. Our sympathetic branch of the ANS rises to meet our daily challenges, but is balanced out by the bringing online of the parasympathetic branch of the ANS. With our energy levels we can view this as balance sheet and reference it back to the currency analogy. We spend energy meeting all our daily challenges but we have to have energy coming into our account to restore and replenish. This is where self care , activities that nourish and nurture come into play. When the ANS and energy systems are in balance then we will feel energised, but what happens if they become imbalanced?
When Energy and the ANS gets stuck?
I have spent the last thirty years plus, working with people in pain. Perhaps the last 20 years, I have been working with those people primarily experiencing chronic pain. Chronic or persistent pain is different in nature to acute pain and requires a multifaceted approach. The evidence for taking this multifaceted psychosocial approach is now overwhelming. However, many healthcare professionals and patients alike are still rooted in the biomedical model, which primarily focuses on treating pain as a purely physical and biomedical problem.
It is my exerience, that many of those presenting with chronic pain, also present with a chronic overactive sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as sympathetic dominance or chronic stress response, which has significant consequences on both physical and mental health. As outlined above the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is designed to mobilize the body for immediate action in the face of perceived threats or challenges. However, when this response becomes chronically activated without adequate recovery, it can lead to various negative outcomes. Here are some consequences of a chronic overactive sympathetic nervous system:
Physical Health Implications:
Cardiovascular Issues: Prolonged sympathetic activation can lead to elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and potentially contribute to cardiovascular problems like hypertension and an increased risk of heart disease.
Weakened Immune Function: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Digestive Problems: An overactive sympathetic response can impair digestion and lead to gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux.
Metabolic Dysregulation: Chronic stress can disrupt blood sugar regulation and contribute to insulin resistance, potentially increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Muscle Tension and Pain: Prolonged muscle tension resulting from sympathetic dominance can lead to chronic muscle pain and tension headaches.
Sleep Disturbances: An overactive sympathetic nervous system can interfere with sleep, leading to insomnia or poor sleep quality.
Mental and Emotional Health Effects:
Anxiety and Panic: An excessive "fight or flight" response can lead to chronic feelings of anxiety, heightened nervousness, and even panic attacks.
Mood Disorders: Chronic stress can contribute to the development or exacerbation of mood disorders such as depression.
Cognitive Impairments: Prolonged stress can impair cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and decision-making.
Emotional Dysregulation: An overactive sympathetic response can lead to emotional dysregulation, causing mood swings and difficulty managing emotions.
Burnout: Chronic stress can lead to emotional exhaustion, reduced resilience, and burnout, particularly in high-stress environments.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Effects:
Poor Coping Strategies: Individuals with an overactive sympathetic nervous system may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.
Impaired Social Functioning: Chronic stress can lead to irritability and strained relationships due to emotional volatility.
Reduced Self-Care: People with chronic stress may neglect self-care practices that are essential for overall well-being.
Chronic Health Conditions: The cumulative effects of a chronically overactive sympathetic nervous system can contribute to the development or worsening of various chronic health conditions, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders.
If we return to the analogy of the High Striker, the default (point of balance) position is at the bottom. Everytime after the platform is struck, the striker drops back down to its starting position. View this from an active chronic overactive sympathetic system perspective and what effectively happens each time the striker returns from hitting the bell, it does so , but to a position thats higher than its starting position. Perhaps over the course of a day this return point ( or new default position) gets closer and closer to the bell at the top. We can become stuck seemingly unable to access our original default position. Much of the time we are not aware of this shifting position of the new default set position, as over a period of time it becomes the new normal. When we get to this point, some of the health implications outlined above may start to come online.
Joining up the Dots
This dysfunction of the ANS is reflected in the energy system (Eastern perspective). I find it hard to articulate how I engage with the energy systems of the people I work with, but here goes! I can see/feel the flow of energy in the people I work with. I can see where energy flows with ease where it is blocked, where it is stagnating etc. Energy has a certain quality, texture and feel to it, dependent on what it is reflecting. When I work with someone, I will listen intently and deeply to what their concerns are. As they talk, I observe the rise and fall of their energy. I notice around which topics their energy holds and where in the body. Conversely, when they talk of what inspires and motives them, I can see shifts in energy patterns.
When I do the physical assessment, the areas of energy holding observed whilst listening can be found in the tissues. In otherwords, if I observed energy holding in and around someones right shoulder/ribs whilst listening to their story, then in the physical assement I would find tissue tension around the right shoulder/ribs and most likely associated changes in their breathing patterns on the right side.
So that person may have come with a painful right knee. I will also assess their knee, (infact I asssess the whole body from top to toe) range of movement, tissue tension, muscle trigger points etc around the right knee. In both assessments I would tune the person into feeling their tissues, and noticing those areas of tension/holding. They are an active participant in the assessment.
The next step might be to treat the right shoulder/ribs with that person joining in the process with breathwork or visualisation perhaps around the things/people/animals that inspire and motivate them. They will then notice on reassessment how the tissues have softened, or movements have eased.
Then I would reassess the right knee and get the person to notice how things had changed in the knee. They can then recognise that those two different areas of the body are interconnected. The icing on the cake comes when I innocently get them to remind me of what their specific concerns are again. Once I see that energy holding return to the right shoulder/rib area, I ask them to pause and tune into that area and ask them to notice if they can feel how that area has tightened up again. They can then link their physical holding to their mental/emotional/social state.Expanding peoples' perceptions beyond the physical bit that hurts, and engaging them on several different levels,can be very empowering for the individual.
Weekly Challenge- What does your Health and Wellbeing Perception Box look like?
People's perceptions of their health and wellbeing are very much related to their personal life history and experiences. Many are rooted in the physical. Science is showing us otherwise, however, some of our outdated beliefs may well be holding us back. A very good example of how we may culturally expect our health and wellbeing to pan out came from an episode of Noddy and Big Ears, that I was watching with Cameron my son aged 4/5......Noddy had a headache, he was taken to the Doctors to get a 'magic' pill to make his headache go away! But fear not...I told him the 'magic' pill contained brocholli and curly kale!
Your challenge this week is to click on the link below, in which you will find a video as well as text, explaining the concept of the perception box. I am sure that the clothes the chap is wearing in the video is designed to challenge most mens' perception boxes as to dress sense. Although I might be asking for his shirt for xmas! Then reflect on how you might be able to expand your health and wellbeing perception box. I look forward to seeing/hearing your comments!
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