Brain Regions (Part 2): The Limbic System
The limbic system is the emotional center of the brain, shaping our feelings, memories, and survival responses. When balanced, it helps us build meaningful relationships, feel joy, and navigate stress with resilience. But under chronic stress or trauma, it can leave us reactive, overwhelmed, and disconnected. In this post, we’ll explore the amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, and basal ganglia—what they do, how they can get hijacked, and actionable ways to restore calm and balance with craniosacral therapy, herbal support, and mindful practices.
Brain Regions & Their Roles in Thought, Mood, and Movement (Part 1)
Explore the incredible complexity of the brain and its key regions, from decision-making in the frontal lobe to emotional learning in the temporal lobe, and coordination in the cerebellum. Learn how these areas shape our thoughts, moods, and movements, and discover actionable tips—including craniosacral therapy, nourishing herbs, and simple lifestyle shifts—to support optimal brain health. Whether you're curious about the "little brain's" role in balance or how to sharpen your visual processing, this post offers insights to help you care for your most vital organ.
Somatic Nervous System & Cranial Nerves
Discover the incredible systems that allow you to move, sense, and connect to the world around you. In this post, we explore the somatic nervous system and cranial nerves, how they work together to create voluntary movement and sensory perception, plus actionable tips to keep them healthy. From dancing to smiling, these systems make everyday life possible—and amazing.
Enteric Nervous System
The enteric nervous system (ENS), often called the "second brain," is a complex network of neurons embedded in your digestive tract. It operates both independently and in close communication with your brain, regulating digestion, supporting gut health, and even influencing mood through the gut-brain axis. From controlling gut motility with the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) to partnering with your microbiome to produce mood-boosting neurotransmitters, the ENS is vital for overall health. Explore how this intricate system impacts your digestion, immunity, and mental well-being—and discover actionable tips to support your gut-brain connection.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Explore the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)—the "rest and digest" counterpart to the fight-or-flight response. Learn how the vagus nerve, neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, and supportive players like nitric oxide work together to calm your body, improve digestion, and support immune function. Plus, discover actionable tips like diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, and craniosacral therapy to activate your PNS and bring balance to your nervous system. Dive in and give your body the relaxation it deserves!
Sympathetic Nervous System
Ever feel your heart race at the sound of a sudden noise or tense up when you’re running late? That’s your sympathetic nervous system kicking into gear—your body’s own ‘fight or flight’ mode. In this Tour of the Body post, we’ll dive into the our sympathetic system, exploring how it works, what chemicals like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol do to keep you alert, and the real impact of being ‘on’ too often. Plus, we’ll share actionable tips for shifting back into balance so you can manage stress and feel more at ease in your body.
Autonomic Nervous System
Our autonomic nervous system (ANS) works tirelessly behind the scenes, managing essential functions like heart rate, digestion, and stress response—even while we sleep. In this post, we dive into the ANS and its three branches: the sympathetic (“fight or flight”), parasympathetic (“rest and digest”), and enteric (our “second brain” in the gut) systems. Discover how these systems shape your daily experience and set the foundation for balanced health. Join me in noticing how your body responds throughout the day as we prepare to explore each system in depth over the coming weeks.
Nervous System: The Body’s Connection Network
The “Tour of the Body” Series continues with the nervous system—our body's software and connection network. This is a brief intro. This is a complex system, I'll do my best to make it easy, engaging, and of course, empowering!