Wellbeing Tools to Support your Nervous System

Stress, tension and constant stimulation have become a part of modern-day life, and this can have a real impact on our nervous system, leaving us feeling overstretched and on high alert. Some days, your body just needs that extra little bit of care, small moments of support and there are tools out there that can help you.

The nervous system responds powerfully to sensory input. Touch, warmth, weight and scent can all help your body to shift out of ‘fight or flight’ mode and into a calmer, more regulated state.

Here are our carefully chosen wellbeing tools that can help you to feel more grounded and calmer, all sensory, tactile and comforting items that can help you take a pause and reconnect with yourself.

Grounding Mat or Bedsheet

Using a grounding mat or sheet positively impacts the nervous system by helping to promote a shift from the “fight-or-flight” (sympathetic) state to the “rest-and-digest” (parasympathetic) state. This is because it involves the transfer of free electrons from the Earth’s surface into the body via the conductive mat or sheet, helping to neutralise the free radicals and stabilise the body’s internal bioelectric environment.

Sauna Blankets

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared sauna blankets use far-infrared light to heat your body directly rather than the air around you, allowing a deeper sweat at lower temperatures – perfect for home use. This infrared heat helps promote a calm, meditative state in the body. Many people find infrared warmth deeply calming and also helps to release tension. Consistent infrared use has been shown to lower cortisol levels too. Because this helps your body to wind down naturally after a long day, it can also promote deeper, more restful sleep.

Weighted Items

Weighted blankets and other items work through to their deep pressure stimulation, which is a form of gentle, evenly distributed weight that comforts the nervous system. This helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), counteracting the sympathetic nervous system’s (fight-or-flight) stress response, creating a calming, grounding effect. It’s like a comforting hug and may even help to reduce pain perception.

Breathwork Aids 

Breath is one of the most direct ways to support your nervous system. Slow, intentional breathing can help signal to your body that it is safe and to move out of the stress response.

These breathwork aids are gentle reminders to help you pause and slow your breath, particularly in those moments where tension builds before you even realise it.

Essential Oils & Aromatherapy

Scent is a powerful tool, and Essential Oils are particularly impactful on the nervous system. When essential oils are inhaled or absorbed, their volatile molecules can reach the central nervous system through several pathways including stimulating the nervous system, interacting with neurotransmitters and regulating the autonomic nervous system. These can all have different effects on the nervous system, producing calming or stimulating effects and even connecting to your mood and memories.

Supporting your nervous system doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need every tool; these are simply options that can help your body feel safer, calmer and more grounded.