The Missing Link to Your Health
Today we are talking about the importance of community, and how it relates to the health of our nervous system. The question of the day: do you have a community of people who you can go to in a time of celebration, grief, or stress? As we will learn today, this is one of the most vital pieces to health that we could have.
Our vagus nerve is one of the most important nerves in our body. Vagus means “wandering” and that describes this nerve perfectly. Starting in our head, it wanders all the way down into our gut, making it the longest nerve we have. It is a two way street, communicating from our brain to our gut, and vice versa. This nerve also is largely responsible for how we respond to stress in our daily environments, and is strongly impacted by community.
There are multiple studies that show when we are in community with people –singing together, learning each other’s stories, or just having interactions with those we love– it helps to calm our nervous system, and it all starts with interactions of the Vagus nerve. How cool is that?
We were created for life to be lived in community, and the reaction of our nervous system clearly demonstrates that.
Community can be found in so many different places: parent groups, churches, business networks, high school or college friend groups, sports teams, pickup sports, and many more. They all serve different purposes, and it is important to have multiple community outlets. Some should be there for you when you have to grieve, or celebrate. Some should be there as creative community outlets. Some, for relaxing or enjoying life to the fullest. Each serves its own purpose, and all help the regulation of our nervous system.
If you don’t have any community groups you can go to for all those different life seasons, I recommend finding one, or two, before changing anything else in your life. It is seriously that important. We learned many things from the pandemic of Covid-19, and one of the most important lessons was the effect of isolation on all aspects of health. If you don’t have a community yet, or you know a friend who doesn’t have a community like described above, ask these questions:
What is holding me back from engaging with others?
What activities do I love doing, and where can I find others who also love that thing?
How can I seek intimacy and vulnerability with my good friends and make them great friends? (this one was the one I struggled with most, and found that others wanted the same thing, it was just no one was having the conversation)
Do I look for events and activities to engage in and find a local community?
Not a question, buuut, take note of how you feel after the next time you engage in community. Chances are you will feel revitalized, energized, ready to take on the day ahead, and/or grounded and at peace.
If you would like to learn more about your health, the foundational principles of health with chiropractic care, and learn with others seeking the same thing, check out Rooted Chiropractic’s 2nd community growth night! It’s gonna be a fun night, and you just might learn something that changes your life.
-TOPIC: Stress Responses and Stretegies
-DATE: 1/25 @5:30-6:30 PM
-Tickets are FREE for all Rooted Members, and $5 for any friends you bring.
-Tickets are $15 for anyone not yet a Rooted Member, $10 if you bring a friend.
I hope this helps you start to manage your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health. And I hope to see at the Rooted Community Growth Night :) Have a great day!
-Dr. Kevin
