How the Nervous System Affects Your Health
Your nervous system runs and powers every organ and every other system, from your brain to your digestion, breathing and beyond. But what many people don’t consider is that the natural aging process, toxins and diseases can damage your nervous system, and therefor your overall health and well-being.
What does the nervous system do?
Your nervous system is a bit like the Internet. But instead of nodes, your nervous system is a large network of specialized cells called neurons that “talk to each other.” These messages, which are really electrical signals, travel between your brain, skin, organs, muscles and glands. And all of the messages help your body to feel sensations, move and work correctly, and help important information get back to the brain.
Keeping Your Nervous System Healthy to Keep YOU Healthy
Once you begin to understand that the nervous system is what powers the rest of your body, all of its organs and other systems, you begin to realize how important it is to keep your nervous system healthy. Any hit to your nervous system can result in headaches, migraines, muscles spasm, learning difficulties and more.
So how do you keep your nervous system healthy?
1. Exercise Regularly
If you want to protect your nervous system, you need to exercise regularly. Regular exercise is important not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well. When you exercise, your body releases a variety of neurotransmitters, which can help you keep your mind and body sharp. You do not necessarily need to run a marathon every day, but you should have a regular exercise schedule you follow.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
You also need to eat a healthy diet that will give your nervous system the support it needs. For example, you need to consume omega-3 fatty acids, plenty of B vitamins, and antioxidants that can help you scavenge free radicals and reduce inflammation. Take a closer look at your diet and make sure you are eating a variety of healthy foods. For example, you might want to eat more fresh berries, as they are a great source of antioxidants that can reduce inflammation throughout your body.
3. Get Plenty of Sleep
Next, you need to get plenty of sleep. You must give your mind a chance to recharge, and the only way to do so is to get enough sleep at night. The average adult requires between 7 and 8 hours of sleep every night, and the average child requires even more than that. Take a look at your sleep hygiene, and make sure you are getting the sleep your body needs to make a meaningful recovery.
4. Test Your Mind
Just as you exercise your muscles to keep them big and strong, you need to exercise your mind as well. If you do not exercise your mind, your nervous system will suffer. There are plenty of ways you can engage your mind. For example, you may want to try learning a new language. Or, you may want to test yourself with some mental puzzles, such as Sudoku or crossword puzzles, from time to time. Even engaging and productive conversations with other people can help you keep your mind sharp.