Now that we have a basic understanding of the human nervous system, we can go a little deeper. As mentioned in Part 1 the nervous system is divided into 2 primary parts. In Part 2, we will explore The Central Nervous System (CNS).

The Central Nervous System is the body's master processing center. It consists of 2 main organs — the brain, and the spinal cord, which are further divided into seven basic anatomical parts: the spinal cord, medulla, pons, cerebellum, midbrain, diencephalon, and cerebral hemispheres. Together these parts receive sensory information, integrate it, and generate motor and behavioral responses.

*The vagus nerve (vagus = latin for wandering) is a connector of the brainstem to the body. The vagus nerve originates in the brainstem but is actually part of The Peripheral Nervous System. Stay tuned to Part 3 for an in-depth look into The Peripheral Nervous System.

The seven basic anatomical parts of the brain and spinal cord integrate sensory information and direct all bodily activities:

Spinal cord: The lowest and most caudal part of the CNS. It acts as a major information highway, relaying messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and coordinating simple reflexes.
Medulla (Medulla Oblongata): The lowest part of the brainstem. It regulates essential involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Pons: Located just above the medulla, this structure acts as a bridge that relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum. It is heavily involved in controlling breathing rhythms and sleep.
Cerebellum: Positioned at the back of the brain, the "small brain" is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining posture, and ensuring balance.
Midbrain: The uppermost part of the brainstem, which serves as an important relay center for visual and auditory information.
Diencephalon: Sandwiched between the brainstem and cerebrum, it primarily contains the thalamus (a sensory relay station) and the hypothalamus (which manages body temperature, hunger, and hormones).
Cerebral Hemispheres (Cerebrum): The largest and most highly developed part of the brain. Divided into left and right hemispheres, it handles higher-level functions, including conscious thought, reasoning, memory, emotion, and voluntary muscle control.
The cerebrum is divided into the left and right hemispheres, and each hemisphere is further subdivided into these distinct sections:

— Frontal Lobe: Manages personality, decision-making, and voluntary movement.
— Parietal Lobe: Responsible for processing sensory information like touch and temperature.
— Temporal Lobe: Handles hearing, language comprehension, and memory.
— Occipital Lobe: Dedicated entirely to visual perception and processing.
— Depending on the medical or anatomical reference, some experts also include the insular lobe (involved in consciousness and emotion) and the limbic lobe (involved in memory and emotional regulation). The insular lobe (or insular cortex) is located deep within the lateral sulcus, a deep fissure that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. It is entirely hidden from the surface of the brain, tucked beneath the overhanging cortical "lids" (opercula) of the surrounding lobes.

In this summer series, we will be diving into more detail of each of the divisions of the nervous system and discuss ways to decipher the signs, as well as provide tools for better nervous system regulation. In the mean time, explore the resources center — there are all kinds of FREE RESOURCES meant to help in a pinch!

But for now, get curious of what state your body might be in… If you’re feeling overwhelmed it’s always great to start with self-care and a soundbath!

Other questions to ask yourself to get curious about your state:

Body — Am I breathing shallow or full? Are my muscles tense? Am I digesting regularly?
Mind — Am I thinking clearly and with focus? Do I have racing thoughts? Is my mind foggy or stagnant?
Emotions — Am I curiously engaged? Am I irritable? Am I anxious? Am I numb?
Energetic — Body Scan. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and gently focus your attention on your body. Notice if any specific areas feel tight, light, tingling, buzzing, heaviness, hot, or cold without judging them.

In closing, if any ideas for healthy coping tools popped into your mind while you were reading this, create a self-care toolbox specific to your needs. It’s always good to be ready and keep you’re tools handy.