Mind Over Matter

Our nervous system is responsible for regulating our bodily functions and responding to stress. It is made up of two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.

When we are under stress or feeling anxious, our sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. This response is essential in times of danger, but when activated too often or for too long, it can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. This is something that POTS patients know all too well - we constantly find ourselves stuck in fight or flight with an activated nervous system. A massive part of trying to heal our nervous system is about calming our nervous system.

Meditation is a powerful tool for balancing our nervous system and promoting relaxation. When my doctor first told me to start meditating, I just about rolled my eyes. How could something so passive help my overactive body and mind? It seemed impossible and incredibly difficult. I tried several different apps that were recommended until I found brain.fm.

brain.fm is backed in science which I love. brain.fm holds patents on technology to elicit strong neural phase locking—allowing populations of neurons to engage in various kinds of coordinated activity. This makes our music unique, purpose-built to steer you into a desired mental state. brain.fm contains patterns that shift your brain state with entrainment.

Lets face it - sometimes meditating is HARD. With brain.fm, the music that is used in the meditations are scientifically proven to help calm your brain. That means that even when I feel like I’m having a hard time meditating and focusing, the music in the background of the meditation is still having an effect on my brain. How cool is that?! You can choose the length of you meditation and whether your intention is to focus, relax, sleep, or meditate. They even have 8 hour meditations to guide you to and keep you asleep.

If you want to give it a try (I highly recommend it!) you can use the code potsandplans when purchasing a subscription to get 20% off!

Here are some of the ways that meditation can help us to restore calm in our body:

1. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system

When we meditate, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps to counteract the effects of the sympathetic nervous system - which most of us with POTS are stuck in a cycle of (fight or flight!). This leads to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration while promoting a feeling of calm and relaxation.

1. Reduce cortisol levels

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to a variety of health problems. Research has shown that regular meditation can reduce cortisol levels, leading to a decrease in stress and anxiety, and (at least in my case) a reduction in dysautonomia symptoms!

1. Improve emotional regulation

Meditation can help us develop greater awareness of our thoughts and emotions, allowing us to respond to them in a more intentional way. This can help us regulate our emotions more effectively and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

1. Enhance mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. Regular meditation can help us develop greater mindfulness, which can help us manage stress and anxiety more effectively.

1. Boost mood and well-being

Research has shown that regular meditation can improve mood and well-being, leading to a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety. The mind is an incredible thing and there is so much power in positivity. My symptoms and my life really started to change when I started to focus on gratitude and positivity.

Meditation is a powerful tool for balancing our nervous system and promoting relaxation. Whether you're struggling with chronic illness, stress, anxiety or simply looking to improve your overall well-being, incorporating regular meditation into your routine can have significant benefits. It has been a game changer for helping my nervous system to stay calm. I hope you will give it a try too!