Finding the right activities to soothe a stressed-out nervous system isn’t always easy. Sometimes we need the safety of routine and familiarity, and sometimes we need something new to break out of unhelpful habits. Sometimes we don’t realize we’re in a fight-or-flight state until we’re spiraling into a full-blown meltdown or we’re already absolutely burnt out, and other times we’re able to heed the warning signs and prevent that from happening. Either way, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which has the power to override stress and bring the body back into balance, is the best defense for our overall health and well-being. Here are some ideas for keeping your nervous system regulated, your peace of mind intact, and your daily life in flow.

Do affirmations really have the power to change our lives? A practice of creating and reciting positive statements in order to manifest or affirm a positive reality, affirmations have been used in spiritual practice for a long time. They are also integral to many therapeutic practices, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping therapy), and becoming more common in clinical therapies like CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Because neuroscientific research confirms that affirmations work. Using an affirmative statement such as “my life is joyful” as part of a personal practice can, it seems, make life more joyful. To understand how, it helps to know about neuroplasticity.