08/25/2025
When we think of health, we think of the physical aspects like diet and exercise - or our outer fitness... but what about our inner fitness?
When we spend too much time in the sympathetic branch of our autonomic nervous system, or the fight or flight branch, we become dysregulated. We need this branch to get stuff done, but too much is too much. Modern society is set up as almost this onslaught of doing and producing with constant stimulation. Too much and we don't feel like ourself. We don't feel good. We don't feel healthy.
Our bodies are highly intelligent and are always seeking homeostasis or order or rhythm for us. We can help our bodies do their job better by keeping all aspects of our nervous system toned - not just the sympathetic branch. It's like going to the gym and only working the pecs and biceps. What about the legs?! And we wonder why our backs hurt.
The vagus nerves are the two longest cranial nerves in our body and they run right down the front of our bodies. They're the super highway for sending information from the heart to the brain to the body. They're the biggest players in the parasympathetic branch of our nervous system - the branch that's responsible for healing, repair, digestion, regeneration. If this system is out of tone, then no matter what great food you eat or how much you exercise, your system won't have the energy to absorb, repair, digest and heal to its fullest capacity.
So, we've got to prioritize inner fitness as well. And we can do this in many ways.
Here are some suggested "workouts" for your inner fitness:
taking more pauses for reflection and contemplation
listening to relaxing music
leaving more space in your day
adding in time-outs to rest (I call these time-ins)
humming
singing
breathing
being with people who feel supportive and safe
safe touch like massage and petting animals
gentle movement
time in nature
prayer
meditation
practicing feeling elevated emotions
Where your attention goes, energy flows. Just by giving your heart your attention, by placing a light touch on your heart - by slowing, deepening, quieting, completing a breath for a minute or two - you've just switched over to toning your inner world. You're doing an inner workout, toning and nourishing those vagus nerves. Add in an elevated emotion of the heart, like gratitude, and you've just done a super workout! 🏋️♂️💪🏼
It's not hard, it's just about making it a priority - the quality of your life depends on it. And like I always say... you're breathing anyway! Just bring your loving attention to it and you're there! No workout clothes, gym memberships, fancy shoes required. 💗
We'll be diving into this deeper in class next week!
To register for any class, to learn more, or to sign up to stay informed (and to not let them fall between the cracks of your algorithm), kindly visit https://www.sarahcookwholeness.com/ or send me a pm.
✨ Join virtually on Zoom or in-person in the classroom on Friday, September 5 at 5:30 pm in the Healing Arts Center on East Center St in the Health Not Hustle School for Well-Being. In person seats are limited, registration is required. $25 investment.
✨Or you can sign up for either the 1 pm or 3:15 pm class time at the Moab Women’s Festival on September 13. Click here to check out the festival line-up, buy your tickets and sign up for the class.
✨Both of these classes are the same and are one of the 6 classes that are a part of the signature HeartMath course called Coherence Advantage™ that begins Friday, October 3 at 9 am Mountain Time. This course will be held virtually and is the same course taught in hospitals world-wide, as well as to the US Navy, elite athletes and first responders among others. It's perfect for parents, partners, employers, employees and basically anyone with a beating heart who is interested in taking responsibility for their quality of life.
Love always,
Sarah 💗🧠
