Why Your Nervous System Matters More Than You Might Think in Midlife

If you'd told me ten years ago that my nervous system could have such an influence on my health, I'd probably have assumed you were about to suggest meditation.

Thankfully, there's a lot more to it than that.

When we talk about stress, we often think about how we feel emotionally but stress is physiological too. It involves real changes throughout the body, and when demands are frequent or prolonged, those changes can affect far more than our mood.

The nervous system is involved in how we respond to those demands, which is why understanding it can be particularly useful in midlife.

Stress affects more than you might think

When we're under pressure, the body activates its stress response. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol help us respond by making energy available, increasing alertness and changing how different systems function, which is useful when we need it.

The difficulty comes when life keeps demanding more than we're able to recover from.

Ongoing stress can influence sleep, digestion, blood sugar regulation, immune function, pain and reproductive health.

You might notice that your digestive symptoms worsen during stressful periods, or that a poor night's sleep leaves you feeling less able to cope the following day.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes can also affect sleep, mood and how we experience stress. These things can overlap, making it difficult to work out what's contributing to what.

That doesn't mean stress is responsible for every symptom but it means it's worth considering as part of the bigger picture.

It's not just about breathing exercises

This is where I think conversations about nervous system regulation can become a bit frustrating.

We're told to meditate, practise deep breathing or take more time for ourselves.

Those things can help, but what if you're caring for ageing parents, managing a demanding job, dealing with a difficult relationship or simply carrying far too much?

Ten minutes of breathing exercises won't necessarily change the circumstances you're living in. Sometimes the nervous system needs support and sometimes the circumstances need to change. Often, both matter.

Supporting your nervous system might involve better sleep, regular movement, eating enough, spending time with people who make you feel good or having genuine opportunities to rest.

It might also involve recognising that something in your life is no longer sustainable.

Does the nervous system need to come first?

Not necessarily, which is an important part of the Allyonics™ approach. The nervous system can influence many areas of health, but that doesn't make it the cause of everything.

For one woman, addressing menopausal symptoms with HRT might make an enormous difference. Another might need help with a digestive condition, poor sleep or an overwhelming workload.

For some women, supporting the nervous system may be the most useful place to begin but for others, something else deserves attention first.

The nervous system matters enormously. It doesn't need to come first in order to matter.

That's why I believe it's so important to look at the connections rather than assume there's one explanation for every woman.

I explore these connections in much more detail in my forthcoming book, “Wired But Tired”, including the science behind them and how to work out what might actually help you.

Ally x