The second Sunday in May is a time that we celebrate mothers. There will be breakfasts in bed, long lunches and gifts given. It is a time that we reflect on those whom we loved that have passed and of those mothers who didn’t meet the cultural criteria of what a mother should be. But let’s call a spade, a spade. Being a mother can be very difficult. It’s not all Hallmark cards or Kleenex ads. I’m sure all of you mothers, partners of mothers, friends of mothers and children have seen a mother stressed and strung out.
This article will explore the physiological changes that can occur in our bodies during times of prolonged stress. My focus will be on mothers; however we are not the only ones whose nervous systems can be wired in this state. If you have a brain and heartbeat, then this can also apply to you.
We have a part of our nervous system that controls many bodily functions. The autonomic nervous system acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. This is then split into two other parts 1) Sympathetic and 2) Parasympathetic. In simple terms the Sympathetic nervous system is the accelerator and primes us for threats/ danger. The Parasympathetic nervous system is the brake and slows us into rest, digest and repair. Both parts of our Autonomic Nervous Systems are important and to be dominant in one longer than necessary is not useful.
My personal experience as a mother and my professional experience as a Chiropractor seeing women in all ranges of the mothering spectrum, is that as a collective we tend to be wired more in the Sympathetic Nervous System. We are wired but are incredibly tired. We wind ourselves up in the morning with caffeine and wind ourselves down at night with alcohol. Mmmm ringing any bells Mama’s???
Some of the common signs that our bodies are wired in the Sympathetic Nervous Systems are:
- Sensitivity to light and sound – do you always have to wear your sunglasses and any small bit of light in our bedrooms at night will keep you awake? Does the noise of the kids in the afternoon/early evening and the TV have you screaming like a banshee to “Turn it down”!
- Experience headaches that develop as the day progresses
- Tightness in your neck and shoulders but usually wake in the morning feeling ok in these areas
- Feel cold even when you shouldn’t
- Find yourself tired and low in energy
- Digestive complaints- why would you need to digest your food properly if your body thinks its running away from a tiger?
- Heavy periods.
- Decreased fertility – once again why would your body be willing to make a baby when it perceives it is in danger?
- Low libido – need I say more Ladies???
The list goes on. There may be other reasons that could account for some of the above signs and symptoms, but it may also be of interest to note that it could all be connected. Mums are the barometer of the family. When we are out of balance it often has a flow on effect to the rest of the family.
Now that you may identify that you are Sympathetically Dominant, what can be done about it?
Talk to your Chiropractor
We will have lots of advice to help guide you to dampen down your sympathetic nervous system and help tip you more into your parasympathetic nervous system. We may suggest you look to hire out from our library or download the book by Dr Wayne Todd ‘The SD Protocol’. It has a wealth of information and goes into more depth than this article. It also gives you an action plan to work toward change.
Get adjusted.
Adjustments have a direct effect on your nervous system. Ribs adjustments have a particularity important ability to calm our nervous system. When our ribcage as a unit is moving well and our breathe is deep and slow it sends information to our brain that we are OK and am not running away from the proverbial tiger.
Breathe
Breath is something that we do automatically and unconsciously. Respiration is the only part of our autonomic (automatic) nervous system that we can have any conscious effect to change. So deep breathing is critical. Enhance your breathe and calm your nervous system further by adding in mediation at the same. Even if it is 10min a day. I assure you busy Mums of the Sunshine Coast, it is worth it.
So to all you Mama’s out there, I salute you. You are guiding and helping your children grow. It is constant and at time relentless. The lessons that our children give back to us are confronting and interesting at the same time. But I urge you to be OK to take time for yourself. Just 5-10 minutes if that is all you can manage. You are deserving of your own self-love.
Your sister (in motherhood),
Karen
