Nervous system health is something that should be taken seriously, as it is responsible for so many crucial functions in the body. However, it can often be easy to ignore this part of our health and wellness.
There are several things that you can do to promote a healthy nervous system, including eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and practicing stress-relieving techniques.
This article is dedicated to the Nervous System and provides 5 tips on how you can take care of yourself.
What Is the Nervous System and How Does It Work?
The Nervous System is the body’s main system of control. It coordinates all activities inside of you, whether that be moving your hands or digesting food. Nerves are responsible for sending signals throughout the body to initiate these activities and also to respond to ongoing sensory information coming from outside stimuli. Nerves work together through a network known as the nervous system.
Nerves: Nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body and serve as pathways for electrical impulses, chemicals, and hormones traveling throughout the body. Nerve cells function by transmitting electrochemical impulses which then travel down long nerve fibers called axons. These axons can be very long- up to 1 meter in some cases! Nerve endings communicate with other bodily cells, muscles, and glands. Nerve signals are generated by the flow of little molecules called neurotransmitters across a junction between neurons known as a synapse. Nerves can be broken up into two main categories: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The Nervous system is responsible for regulating all body activities which occur consciously or unconsciously, including breathing, moving your arms and legs, thinking, etc. Nerves transmit information both within themselves (intra-neural communication) and outside to other nerves, muscles, and organs (extra-neural communication). The Nervous system consists of 2 major parts- the Central Nervous System (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord, and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), which is divided into the somatic system and autonomic system.
Symptoms of Nervous System Disorders
The nervous system is a complex and vast collection of interconnected neural cells that coordinate our thoughts, movements, and the functions of all the organs in our body. Nervous system disorders can take on many forms including epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis; some symptoms include seizures, fatigue, paralysis, dementia, and tremors. Nervous system vitamins are important for overall health.
What are Nervous System Disorders?
Nervous system disorders can be divided into two major categories: Nervous system diseases which interfere with normal nerve function and Nervous system injuries which happen when the nervous system is damaged by outside harm, accident, or disease. Nervous system diseases include conditions like epilepsy while Nervous system injuries are common with accidents. Nervous system diseases are rare but Nervous System injuries can be quite common, especially in younger people.
Specialists recommend reading the following articles on Nervous System Disorders:
- Nerve Disorder Symptoms and Diseases
- Nerve Injury Symptoms and Diseases
5 ways to keep the nervous system healthy
1. Get enough sleep
You probably already know this, but we repeat it every time: The Nervous System works hardest when we sleep and needs its downtime to be ready for action again. In short: Nerve cells need time to rest and repair, which they can best do when we sleep.
2. Drink enough water daily
Your Nervous System works closely with your Cardiovascular system – meaning that both of them cannot work without a healthy fluid intake! By drinking enough water every day you keep the Nervous System properly hydrated and it can transport Nerve impulses better.
3. Say no caffeine
Caffeine can mess with the Nervous System – Drinking too much might cause Nervousness, Nausea, or Heart Pounding. Although the few cups of coffee or tea a day are generally not harmful, they can still have adverse effects on Nerves.
4. Eat your Veggies!
Food plays an important role in Nerve functions – Nervous System performs best when it is provided with healthy Nourishment. Make sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables every day, as they provide the Nervous System with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
5. Exercise your Nerves
Exercises for the Nervous System are not only a great way to relax and take a break from Nerves-intensive work, but also help you stay fit. Nerve cells need Nourishment to transport Nerve impulses properly – Physical exercise provides the Nervous System with the necessary nutrients it needs.
If Nerve cells are Nourished properly, they can Nerve Nerve impulses up to 200 times per second – that’s Nerves! The next time you feel Nervous try these tips for nervous system health and let us know how it works out for you in the comments below.
What Calms the Nervous System?
There are a few things that can calm the nervous system. Breathing, movement, and meditation or mindfulness practices all have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic division of our autonomic nervous system. Entering into a meditative state is one way to achieve many different types of results. However, not all people are comfortable with the idea of meditation and mindfulness. Other activities can help calm the nervous system as well!
Breathing and Movement Tools:
- Nostril Breathing
- Nerve Flossing
- Belly Breathing (Pranayama)
What Food Is Good for Nerves?
The Nervous system is composed of a complex network of neurons that work together to allow us to have senses and move our bodies. Nerves are found in the brain, spine, and all over the rest of the body.
Foods high in protein such as lean meats, eggs, poultry, and fish can help reduce anxiety levels according to Noodle Live. Protein also helps build muscle mass which stimulates cellular growth. Noodle Live also says foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that can keep your Nervous System healthy. Nerve cells need Vitamin B to work properly. Foods high in Vitamin B include lean meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and whole grains. Nerve cells also need Vitamin C to function properly. This vitamin is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruits, cantaloupe, and broccoli. Foods high in magnesium can help keep the Nervous System healthy too. Nerves depend on magnesium for proper conduction of nerve impulses throughout the body.
What Is the Best Vitamin for the Nervous System?
Niacin Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide Niacin is an essential vitamin that the body uses to support blood flow, digestive health, and nerve function. Nerves need Niacin to communicate with one another because Niacin assists in the production of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which enables nerves to send messages. Niacin is also important for brain function and the nervous system because Niacin helps form neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine that regulate mood.
Conclusion
Nervous system health is important to everyone. Nerve issues are complicated, but if you are experiencing any ill-feeling or signs of nerve malfunction, speak to one of our trained professionals today. As seen in this article, keeping your nervous system healthy is easy by maintaining your overall health with diet and lifestyle changes, among other things.