Re-wiring Your Nervous System is Simple!

Have you ever noticed that simple doesn't always mean easy?

I've been talking to people a lot lately about how to rewire their nervous systems and change the way they react to stress.

Patterns are how your nervous system conserves brain energy.

How many things do you do each day without even thinking about them? From brushing your teeth to unloading the dishwasher to driving home - you do these actions (and many more) on auto-pilot. You don't need to think about the process, unless you have a toothache, or a glass broke, or an accident or roadwork required a detour from your usual route.

You have other patterns - not just in actions, but in thoughts and emotions - that are equally hardwired - hugging your kid or partner and telling them you love them, reaching for potato chips or chocolate on a stressful day, looking forward to time with a friend, your reaction when someone says "we need to talk"...

Patterns are created when the nervous system repeats an action or thought. The more often the thought or action gets repeated, the more embedded it becomes, eventually becoming an automatic reaction, instead of a response you choose.

You probably have patterns that get in your way, that you want to change. You might also know that old patterns never disappear - but you can learn new patterns that, with practice, become your default patterns.

Rewiring your nervous system is simply a matter of deciding what new pattern you want to create and then practicing the pattern. Easy-peasy, right?

Theoretically, yes. But there's a paradox.

Even though you know the change will be good for you, your nervous system doesn't like change.

So, when you try to practice that new pattern, your nervous system - your mind and your body - will try to stop you. You might feel butterflies in your stomach, or irritable or confused; you might procrastinate or distract yourself. Or perhaps hear the voice of your inner critic telling you it'll never work and you're a fool to try.

These are all ways your nervous system may try to protect you from change. From that simple process of rewiring, of creating a new pattern.

So, what now?

Let's keep it simple. A good first step might be acknowledging these reactions aren't bad. And being curious about how to bring some ease into the process.

Then maybe thanking your body, your mind, your nervous system for keeping you safe...

And staying curious about what's next.

• What patterns of yours are beneficial?

• Which ones get in your way?

• What new pattern would you like to create?

• How can you start practicing that, knowing that your nervous system doesn't like change?

Would you like help finding your answers to those questions? Reach out and book 30 minutes with me - no cost, no obligation. I'd love to help you make friends with your nervous system!