Nervous system repair after winter

Nervous system repair after winter

By the time winter begins to loosen its grip, many of us don’t feel energized. We feel wired, tired, or strangely unmotivated. The nervous system doesn’t automatically reset when the calendar says spring. I know that for myself, around this time every year, I feel that urgent need to “GO”. The days are longer and warmer, the sun beckons me to play in the park, and the plants are beginning to wake up and say hello- even though it’s still late winter.

Winter asks a lot of us- what with holidays, limited sunlight, harsh cold, reduced activity levels, more illnesses, and everything else that adds to our already overloaded plates. When spring finally seems near, many of us are still in fight or flight mode. Reduced daylight affects circadian rhythms. Our bodies are designed to sleep with the moon, but modern lifestyles often keep us from resting from sundown to sunup. Lack of sunshine comes with a host of other problems, especially for those of us so far north. It can increase stress hormones, there’s less time spent outdoors, we often spend more time on screens. Chronic immune activation depletes reserves. This fight or flight response can become chronic, or we shift into freeze or shutdown mode. And then we’re supposed to just shift gears and be ready for spring?? Nonsense. 

Our bodies need nourishment, kindness, and gentle support. 

Late winter is the perfect time to take stock of our nervous system health. Below are some signs that your nervous system may need a bit of support. Note that many of these symptoms can also indicate other problems, and if chronic, deep issues arise, it’s best to seek professional medical care. 

• Trouble sleeping

• Afternoon crashes

• Snappy or irritable

• Brain fog

• Feeling “flat”

• Digestive sluggishness

• Increased anxiety

• Low resilience to stress

Now, I’m gong to say something that goes against what a lot of herbal marketers are saying right now- Repair is not a 3-day cleanse. It’s not parasites. It’s not forcing productivity, and it’s not pushing harder. True repair means rebuilding resilience, supporting regulation, gentle nourishment, and safety + rhythm. The nervous system heals through consistency, nourishment, and cues of safety- not intensity.

Luckily for us, we can get all of these things from our plant allies. Some of the earliest plants are perfect nervous system tonics. And with a little bit of prior planning- or last minute shopping- we can stock our apothecaries with a plethora of goods- from nettles and dandelion to rose and linden. 

Nourishing Nerve Tonics- Helps rebuild over time

• Nettles

• Oatstraw

• Milky Oat Tops

Calming Nervines 

(Nervines are herbs that act upon the nervous system in any way, either calming, stimulating, or neutralizing)

• Lemon Balm

• Chamomile

• Skullcap

• Linden

Adaptogens- Helps with stress resilience

• Tulsi (Holy basil)

• Ashwagandha

• Eleuthero

Beyond herbs, I believe that a holistic approach is necessary to engage fully in taking control of our health. Participating in daily practices that help support repair helps the body by showing that it is safe. Our brains equate rhythm and repetition with safety. Some daily practices that support nervous system repair can include:

• Morning sunlight within 10 minutes of waking

• Mineral-rich tea daily

• Consistent bedtime

• Warm evening drinks

• Gentle walks

• Breathwork (long exhale breathing)

• Less caffeine

Early spring and late winter isn’t about rushing just yet. Let’s take some time to thaw, stretch and rebuild.

Nervous System Reset Tea

1 part Oat Tops (Avena sativa)

1 part Linden (Tilia spp.)

1 part Nettles (Urtica dioica)

½ part Rose petals (Rosa spp)

½ part Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) or California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)- Optional

Place 1 tablespoon in a strainer or infuser, add 6-8oz boiling water, cover and let sit 10-15 minutes. Drink as part of an evening ritual or as needed.