This is the second of a series about how pain can manifest from the emotional body. If you missed part one, you can read it HERE

Nervous system: My client was anxious and panicked. Always in pain and in a constant state of fear, especially with moving. When she moved, she was fearful of being in pain. Can you imagine being scared to move? It must be such a horrible feeling of being trapped within your own body. Fear is never a good emotion to internalize as it strains the nervous system. The fight or flight (sympathetic) nervous system is always stimulated. The body is in survival mode. The body is on, and in this mode, it releases stores of fat and holds onto for protection. This means it would be hard to lose weight. It’s also called the stress response. Being stressed creates heightened emotions. Sound decisions might be harder to make. Breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate increase. There is no relaxation in the body, so it fatigues easily. The systematic cascade of reactions in the sympathetic nervous system is important when you need it. But there is an eventual ending of the event, and the parasympathetic (also called rest and digest) kicks in to restore. But what if that never kicks in and the sympathetic is always activated? That is one body on stress lockdown! When it’s time to sleep, the body is too stressed to deregulate, and sleep is not restorative, then another day starts. And a cycle of stress resumes. It is important to explore what works for you to “rest and digest”? Is it meditation, reading quietly, going to a spa, getting a massage, napping, breathing, taking a walk? The Yin and Yang symbol is in balance on purpose. Yang is like the sympathetic, and Yin, parasympathetic. In our Yang society, you have to find your Yin.

How she shifted: She started going to a meditation practice. It really worked to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and bring calm and relaxation to the body. It quieted her mind and helped her manage her thoughts. This helped process and unravel negative identity. Change won’t happen unless we think we are worthy of it. How we identify ourselves may keep us trapped in a certain way of thinking that is non beneficial to living our best life. Do you feel worthy and take care of your body like a temple, or do you abuse it with punishing exercise and unhealthy food? Do you feel worthy of being a healthy person? What if you start thinking like a healthy person and that helps guide your choices? When she started thinking about herself as a healthy person who makes healthy choices as a consistent, daily practice, changes started happening. Daily practice is key. You are learning to play your own instrument with finesse and precision. There are no days off in trying to make changes. For example, there is a choice between fried chicken or a grilled chicken salad. What choice would the healthy person make? Yes, the grilled chicken! This leads to the next item to look at.