Self-Care has become buzzy. When you Google “Self-Care,” you get 2,630,000,000 results. A lot, right? 

Feeling down? Self-Care! Angry? Self-Care! Nervous, depressed, tired, annoyed, frustrated, constipated? Self-Care!!!

This isn’t a bad thing. Self-Care is good. It is really, really good. We are told over and over again to Self-Care, but we aren’t necessarily told why it is important.

Here is the thing: Self-Care isn’t about having pretty nails or getting a massage once a month.

Self-Care is nervous system regulation.

Some background: Our Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) regulates the Fight/Flight/Freeze response. Your SNS can get activated for many different reasons: childhood wounding getting triggered, stress, anxiety, worry, frustration, perceived danger, etc. 

When we are in a state of SNS activation, our bodies get flooded with adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones), our heart rate increases, our breathing speeds up, among many other physical responses. This is a primitive brain response and happens because our body is getting ready to fight, play dead or run away from a predator. 

When we get activated or even stuck in a state of SNS activation, we need to turn on our Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which is like a parachute, to help bring us down after we get activated. 

The Parasympathetic Nervous System is like the brakes to the Sympathetic Nervous System’s gas. 

Self-Care activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Self-Care is your parachute. And the more your Self-Care, the more effective your parachute becomes. 

Self-Care is very important. And consistency with Self-Care is imperative. The more consistent you are with Self-Care, the better your parachute becomes at regulating your stress response. 

So, get your nails done, get a massage, take a walk. Do whatever speaks to you and helps calm your nervous system. And do your best to be consistent. Consistency is the key. 

More on Self-Care next time!

1-661-760-2745

25050 Ave. Kearny, Ste. 210
Valencia, CA, CA 91355

Serving
Valencia & Santa Clarita Valley

Erin is an out-of-network provider for insurance.

Self-Care has become buzzy. When you Google “Self-Care,” you get 2,630,000,000 results. A lot, right? 

Feeling down? Self-Care! Angry? Self-Care! Nervous, depressed, tired, annoyed, frustrated, constipated? Self-Care!!!

This isn’t a bad thing. Self-Care is good. It is really, really good. We are told over and over again to Self-Care, but we aren’t necessarily told why it is important.

Here is the thing: Self-Care isn’t about having pretty nails or getting a massage once a month.

Self-Care is nervous system regulation.

Some background: Our Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) regulates the Fight/Flight/Freeze response. Your SNS can get activated for many different reasons: childhood wounding getting triggered, stress, anxiety, worry, frustration, perceived danger, etc. 

When we are in a state of SNS activation, our bodies get flooded with adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones), our heart rate increases, our breathing speeds up, among many other physical responses. This is a primitive brain response and happens because our body is getting ready to fight, play dead or run away from a predator. 

When we get activated or even stuck in a state of SNS activation, we need to turn on our Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which is like a parachute, to help bring us down after we get activated. 

The Parasympathetic Nervous System is like the brakes to the Sympathetic Nervous System’s gas. 

Self-Care activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Self-Care is your parachute. And the more your Self-Care, the more effective your parachute becomes. 

Self-Care is very important. And consistency with Self-Care is imperative. The more consistent you are with Self-Care, the better your parachute becomes at regulating your stress response. 

So, get your nails done, get a massage, take a walk. Do whatever speaks to you and helps calm your nervous system. And do your best to be consistent. Consistency is the key. 

More on Self-Care next time!

1-661-760-2745

25050 Ave. Kearny, Ste. 210
Valencia, CA, CA 91355

Serving
Valencia & Santa Clarita Valley

Erin is an out-of-network provider for insurance.

Leave A Comment

  1. Jennifer Alamdari March 13, 2021 at 8:18 am - Reply

    This is a great post. Understanding that taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.

    • Erin Hickman April 3, 2021 at 9:50 am - Reply

      Thank you so much for your response. We often think of self care is as indulgence, but it is important to keep us balanced and better mamas :)