Nervous System Health: Why contrast therapy is needed
Today, the biggest interest people are flocking towards is nervous system health. With more emphasis on the “chase” for remedies and quick repairs, people are grabbing at medications and “one” quick answer by searching the web and AI more than ever. But there it isn’t as easy as box breathing!
Our nervous system health is crucial. So to understand the biology is key.
In the previous six blogs I have written, I have made notes on the importance of contrast therapy, as well as the other hormetic stressors humans require.
This is going to be a short yet sweet blog, with some repetition. It bears repeating.
How contrast therapy helps regulate the nervous system?
Let us count the ways:
Exercises vagal tone response - vagus nerve function
Lowers cortisol baseline levels
Improves sleep = fundamental healing and reset for the whole being
Circadian rhythm reset
Hormone health = especially women*
Natural happy hormone balance
Homeostasis body = balance in cells
Releasing of huge toxin load in body, dumping stores = rested body
Mental calm
Reduction of inflammation and pain associated with it
Improve happy hormones
Neurotransmitter health
Neuron health
Incredible IMMUNE SYSTEM health
Vascular weaknesses will improve thus - prevent risk of heart related issues exponentially
Stop feeling small - you will feel large and in charge
Grounding energy allows for expansion within your being
Improved metabolic function = all diseases today are metabolic dysfunction
There is so much more ….
How much contrast therapy do you need?
The average person does not do enough hard work with their body. Meaning, hormetic stressors are REQUIREMENTS for life. What is hormetic stress? I invite you to read my last six blogs. But these are the necessary GOOD stressors we must have.
People constantly want a quick fix to “heal” by NOT using their own body. This is perplexing to me. The world spins us out of control… or we spin out of control because of how we live in the world… Whichever the case, the control is ours. We control our health. So it is my job and sharing of knowledge to you about how to use the tools (your biology) to your benefit.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
When using contrast therapy, I have a specific protocol for you to practice that makes sense. Forget what you have heard from the conflicting information on the web. As a Certified Thermalist and foremost specialist for how we humans/ mammals undergo GOOD stress, it really isn’t that complicated. But you do need to understand how to habituate and develop practices for you to be consistent.
I personally have been practicing for years. I am still shifting and changing my practices within the protocol I created, to keep the wonder and challenge my body needs. As with all my clients who started in coaching with me, and now on membership, I help them with their practices while sessioning here at Element Outdoor Sauna. They are also equipped with knowledge so when they go to various sauna spaces, they know what to look for.
Remember: when you practice at high intensity here at Element Outdoor Sauna, you do so under protocol we have set for the shortest amount of calm time, for the greatest benefit. More time in one session (cycles) is not usually better.
BIOLOGY - Coles notes
Humans/ Mammals REQUIRE functionality, fluidity and balance.
We have a ton of complex systems within the body and external body too. The thermoregulatory system consists of thermoreceptors. The intel collectors. They need to be understood and used for our exceptional health benefits = nervous system loves this!
We have more cold thermoreceptors than hot ones. Both are valuable - but sadly, most humans over do heat (over stressing the heat ones, and causing harm).
Our mammalian body must have cold, and to use heat correctly, for Homeostasis and balanced regulation.
HERE THEY ARE!
When we align our nervous system is balanced and regulated well so our ship is operating at highest efficiency. This includes the use of ALL hormetic stressors:
Resistance training/ intense exercise
Diaphragmatic breathing / hypoxia holds
Contrast therapy
Cold
Fasting
Nature
I added another one to the original list of five. Six is my new number.
So you see to this point that there is no one way to calm your nervous system. It takes work, fun, and dedication to yourself with consistency. Balancing out how your body and mind feel will provide that perfect connection and coherence.
FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:
1. Cold shower - 2 minutes - use breath (in nose, out mouth, slow, deep), then dress and go for a walk outdoors, in nature. Here we use 3 hormetic stressors.
2. Cold shower - 2 minutes, using breathing technique like #1 - come out of shower and go into lifting work out, planking, pushups, squats - then go for a walk
3 shower - go to work
4. Buckets of icy cold water with ice cubes - fill buckets with cold water, immerse your limbs deeply. Use breath as noted in #1. Go as long as you can and when done MOVE. Let your body respond and warm up by movement, massaging your limbs… but MOVE.
Thermogenesis is what we are going for here. Then you will feel how warm your limbs and body are, and even more… how happy and focused you are. You may even have a skip in your step.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Great first steps, Great conditioning steps. Do this practice 3 (minimum) to 5 times a week - or more… with added full contrast therapy.
You will begin to feel the difference with better sleep, more regulated nervous system health.
Denise Tompkins
Purveyor of thermal alignment
Certified Thermalist and owner of Element Outdoor Sauna
