What does Nervous System have to do with your recovery?

Why the nervous system needs to be activated when you workout to build muscle faster.

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Is nervous system just another self-care thing to worry about? Well, perhaps it is, but activating the nervous system is easier that you think. Let's see how we can build this into our routine.

Here’s why we should: Firstly, the central nervous system (CNS) allows for movement. It can promote healing and prevent injury with activation and synchronization. Athlete or not, you will experience mental fatigue. This is something that occurs in everyone with varying degrees.

As the saying goes, if you don't use it, you lose it. When the nervous system is connected and communication prevalent, your body will allow for more signals to flow to and from your muscles and at faster rates. For example, imagine someone's arm in a cast and what it would mean to not be able to move that muscle group for a long period of time. If the nervous system is activated before, during and after an injury, the are muscle fibers that have been dormant will be able to come back to life in a shorter timeframe. Fast twitch muscle fibers will engage, enabling you to rebuild muscle mass quicker - whether you are experiencing a lull in your routine or even after an injury.

There are simple steps or drills that both activate and prime our nervous system. I like to incorporate nerve gliding (also known as nerve activation or flossing) as a warm up, depending on the primary focus of my workout. Two types of ways I incorporate nerve gliding include:

1. Lower Body Sciatic Nerve Activation and

2. Upper Body Median Nerve Gliding

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Lower Body:

1. Laying supine, bring your knee to your chest

2. Straighten your leg and flex your toes as much as possible

3. Hold for at least 1 second

4. Lower and repeat 8-16 reps

Video

Upper body:

1. Standing, hold your arms out straight at 90 degrees

2. Flex your hands

3. Alternate as you bring one of your hands to your shoulder

4. Repeat this right, left, right, left for about 8-16 reps

Video

For more information, check out the following articles here, here and here. And as always, happy moving!