Intuitive-Seasonal-Sustainable-Local-Ethical
I have been musing a lot recently on the nervous system.
I am thinking about the nervous system because I am working closely during this season with one of my favourite plants: Milky Oats. The green fresh seeds of the oat plant; which are fittingly named due to their "milky" juices when squeezed that are one of the absolute best nervous system allies.
This form of oats is nourishing, nurturing, restorative and reparative. Milky oats are known to aid in repairing the nervous system and helping the nervous system return to a state of calm and regulation after stress, anxiety, grief or other states of nervous distress that cause us to lose our balance and feeling of wellbeing.
Milky Oats Elixir and Tincture
I have been grateful for the medicine of this plant this month as I am slowing down and turning inward on my journey towards the birth of our baby. We all need allies, support, guides, helpers of one kind or another during challenging journeys in our lives... and slowing down, tuning out the noise, turning inward, saying "no", and just generally going against the deeply ingrained programming of GO GO GO, always being available and receptive and productive... well, it is very challenging for very many of us. Myself included!
We live in a noisy, frantic, and numbed out culture in which overwork, busyness, extroversion and hustle is praised. It is aggressive and impatient. It leads to burnout, overwhelm, unhealthy coping strategies and addictions, and a tired but wired nervous system.
The solution- the true antidote to our current unsustainable culture is unfortunately often ridiculed and looked down upon. We are often shamed or teased (often in subtle and in micro-aggressive ways) for asking for this cure.
The antidote is any or all of these things, and more... It is quiet. It is slowness. It is tuning out and turning off. Saying no. It is taking long breaks from social media, news, screens, certain technology, certain people, long breaks from work, quitting people pleasing, more nature time, therapy, energy work, more time being "unproductive" and truly resting, naps, asking for help, doing less, consuming less, feeling securely, safely and authentically connected and the list goes on...
Can you see how challenging so much of this is? Our human world that we live in requires us to do more than what our nervous systems have the capacity for processing. Leaving us in perpetual states of disregulation, to some degree or another. How can you make micro adjustments to bring yourself more into a regulated nervous system state?
Essentially what we need in order to feel regulated within our nervous system is a sense of meaningful, safe connection-- and often that starts within ourselves, how safe we feel within our connection to our self. This "Story of Connection" is the story of a regulated Ventral Vagal System (part of the parasympathetic nervous system). When the Ventral Vagal is regulated we feel connected, creative, curious and in a general sense we feel well.
There are many techniques to help regulate our Ventral Vagal... including breathwork, exercise, humming or singing, mindfulness practices and more. Certain herbs such as Milky Oats, Scullcap, Tulsi Basil and Lemon Balm are wonderful support for a frazzeled, overwhelmed, tapped out nervous system.
Soothe My Frazzled Nerves Tea is a wonderful gentle ally for nervous system regulation
How are you able to support yourself in regulating your nervous system?---- For me, right now it is looking a lot like this:
-Unashamed naps -Milky Oats Tincture -Time off of Instagram -Earplugs or noise cancelling headphones to help with my sensory overload -Therapy -Reading more for fun -Saying no - mantras and breathwork- Learning more about the Nervous system- Time Outs- Fresh Air.
I hope any or all of this was useful, interesting or inspiring to you. Wishing you a wonderful October!
You can find my products at the Green Croft Farm Store, the Downtown Salmon Arm Farmers Market and the Enderby Farmers Market.
With Gratitude Xx
Jenny
