Why predictable rhythms help the nervous system settle again
“Deckening” is my new word for gardening on the deck. You know… Deck + Gardening. 🙂
Spring this year came fast and intensely with a predicted temp today of a whopping 28 ℃… which is quite warm for southern AB. I have a deck that is roughly 12×16… but I have 45 pots of herbs, tomatoes, and other plants growing on it. That’s a LOT of work.
Lets be honest, if you’re “deckening” instead of just planting a few pots on your deck, AND you have chronic health conditions, you had better be honest about your abilities, AND what your body requires.
So first off, I cajoled the man of the house to help with the bigger pots, AND he carried the new soil up all 3 flights of stairs.
Then I added simple deck routines to my morning, my early afternoon and my late afternoon. Basically, I broke up my days, so that I was resting between “deck shifts”.
My spouse helped me replace dirt in ALL the bigger pots, then I could work on the smaller pots on my own.
But that’s only the “deckening” bit of the story.
Managing chronic illness and pain well means simplifying and sticking to regular routines.
So, I did my morning sunshine every day. I sat with my devotional time at exactly the same time each day, BUT I skipped my walk, figuring I was getting enough physical exercise instead in that time slot.
And I simplified lunch.
I’m not kidding, I ate either fried or boiled eggs and wilted spinach most days and broke that up with a few leftover soups that were made earlier this year.
The body actually LOVES a little boring. Predictable routines help calm the nervous system more than we often realize. No decisions and no extra brain fatigue on that end. Even every snack and drink was exactly the same.
And if you want to know what I’m doing with my drinks… It’s Hydrate first thing in the morning, followed by Energized about an hour later. And then after my morning “deckening” I use Fit. Man is that great for recovery!!
And each afternoon after my time on the deck, I rested with Netflix. And then based on how I felt I could either do a little bit more or much more.
Between routines and breaks, it’s amazing how much more the body can do when it has a project, EVEN WHEN you have Fibro and ME/CFS.
It doesn’t have to limit your life all the way when you implement some really good strategies. Sometimes the body simply responds better to peace, rhythm, and less overwhelm.
And honestly, I think this is where many of us misunderstand routines. We think routines are about rigidity, pressure, or doing everything perfectly every day. But often, gentle rhythms simply help the body feel calmer and more supported.
Predictable meals, familiar morning routines, quiet breaks, sunlight, prayer, rest, and reducing decision fatigue all help lower stress load on the nervous system more than we often realize.
I shared more about this connection between gentle rhythms, stress, safety, and the nervous system in my new free guide Faith + Science Harmony: How God Designed Your Brain to Heal.
If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, exhausted, or like your body struggles to fully settle down, I think this guide may really help connect some dots for you.