Neurowellness is the word !

Last month I read an article about Neurowellness, which left me feeling conflicted, I was excited because there will undoubtedly be increased funding to explore both new & established techniques, but frustrated that the focus is on one system in the body. My training and belief is that wellness is about the whole person to encourage a healthy mind, strong body, emotional stability with a free spirit.

So with that in mind, I had a ‘coffee morning’ with Amber (an expert in cognitive neuroscience research), here’s the low down of our chat. It’s a bit word heavy in places, but hang in there as it highlights the importance of looking after all of the systems in your body.

The latest buzzword is ‘neurowellness’ - the idea that you can regulate the nervous system and improve stress resilience from the inside out. It boasts many restorative benefits including the improvement of sleep quality and cognitive function, essentially preventing burnout before it hits, rather than treating its symptoms.

We know that daily life is incompatible with our built-in stress response and that we are designed for short bursts of stress to keep us safe.

But we often find ourselves worried about things we cannot fight or run from, prolonging the rush of cortisol in our bodies.

As a result, this can be incredibly damaging, and is why our bodies respond negatively to frequent stress.

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The go-to techniques outlined in the article emphasise the use of neurofeedback (using biometric and EEG technology to assess stress levels), which forms the basis of a personalised, evidence-based treatment. They are available in clinics, and to purchase for at-home use too.

Technology such as vagus nerve stimulation tools, neurofeedback platforms, EEG headbands, and guided sleep systems encourage us to self-medicate with neuromodulation* so we can better cope with the repeated stress of daily life.

This all sounds fantastic, whilst these neurotechnologies are the cutting edge of modern neuroscience and brain health, we have to look at the bigger picture.

Stress is primarily driven by the nervous and endocrine systems, but it affects the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems (and we haven't even mentioned the mind and emotions yet).

This can either be intense and repetitive (repeated acute stress), or prolonged (chronic stress), both of which can be detrimental to all of the systems in the body. It seems reductive to only consider treatment of the central nervous system, when so much of the human body is negatively affected by repetitive or prolonged stress.

Reframing concepts we have known about for centuries appears to be the new normal. Many forms of holistic therapy have been proven to target multiple systems of the body in the same breath. It involves directly activating the parasympathetic nervous system**, which naturally inhibits the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the fight or flight response. This reduces the release of cortisol and stimulates feel-good neurotransmitters*** like serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine.

• Massage techniques focusing on the head, neck, and abdomen, can stimulate the vagus nerve, the number 1 channel of heart rate and digestive regulation, slowing the heart rate and decreasing blood pressure.

  
  

• Gentle skin pressure activates sensory receptors throughout the spinal cord and brain, sending calming signals to cut anxiety.

  
  

• Even the break down of muscle tension through a regular massage alleviates the physical manifestations of chronic stress, sending the ‘rest and repair’ signal to the brain.

While neuromodulation techniques have been shown to maintain only a temporary positive effect in studies for depression and motor rehabilitation, regular holistic treatment provides cumulative benefits, meaning that the reduction of stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, circulation, and relaxation will only get better with time.

Frequent massages/holistic treatments can sustain this resilience to stress and improvements in physical health in the long term, helping to build a tolerance for the stress life throws at us.

With all the new buzzwords, it can be so confusing to decide what is truly cutting edge science, and what are already established, holistic techniques.

Everyday life now seems wired for stress and constant stimulation, so don’t underestimate the power of taking the time out to relax, recharge, and dissolve it all.

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You know where I am if you are in need of a treatment &/or some quality time out.

Take care,

With love

Jilly xx

Oh and part 2 of our coffee morning is coming soon - neuroscents…

*Neuromodulation is a specialised medical field in which electrical or chemical stimulation is carefully used to alter brain activity without invasive techniques such as surgery. It is often used to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain.

**The parasympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that relaxes the body after periods of stress or danger.

***Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain, and are essential in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and muscle movement.

https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/the-rise-of-neurowellness/