They say 'dumplings over flowers,' but this was also the autonomic nervous system's fault.

Hello. I'm Fukuyama, the chiropractic therapist who blames everything on the autonomic nervous system. I'm going to link things to the autonomic nervous system again this time.

There is a saying, 'dumplings over flowers' (hana yori dango).

It means choosing practical benefits over elegance. It refers to people at a cherry blossom viewing party who are eating and drinking instead of paying attention to the flowers.

When I was young, I was the type to just say 'meh' when looking at flowers, but it's strange how as I've aged, my eyes have turned toward elegance rather than eating.

Should I call it 'kacho fugetsu' (the beauties of nature)? No, wait, flowers come first in that phrase, so that's not quite right.

Regardless, there is a certain number of people whose hearts are moved more by delicious food than by beautiful scenery. Even when they go to an art museum, their minds are full of the pudding at the cafe near the exit.

However, I don't want you to misunderstand here: this tendency doesn't simply mean you have low sensitivity.

Let's explain this from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system.

Why can't some people be moved by beautiful things?

There are people who look at cherry blossoms and think, 'How beautiful,' and others who just think, 'Meh.'
Even though they are looking at the same scenery, where does this difference come from?

The human brain is constantly selecting 'what to prioritize for processing now' from a vast amount of sensory information. At this time, it is the state of the autonomic nervous system that decides what to prioritize.

When the sympathetic nervous system is dominant, the brain prioritizes processing information related to survival. The field of vision narrows, attention turns toward threats, and 'things not immediately necessary' recede into the background.

From this perspective, beautiful scenery, music, and art are information that is not directly related to survival in the short term. To a nervous system in combat mode, cherry blossoms just look like trees.

On the other hand, it is only when the ventral vagal system is working and the nervous system judges that 'this place is safe' that a person can finally turn their attention to other things.

Music soaks into the heart, one feels depth and space in casual scenery, and one perceives the nuances of people's expressions and emotions favorably.

Such moving or aesthetic experiences are originally meant to soothe rough, coarse emotions, but ironically, they can only be felt when one is safe.

Choosing dumplings over flowers might not be because you like dumplings more, but because your nervous system is operating on a priority list of 'secure food first.'

The story of people who can't see the flowers at a flower viewing

For those in a state of chronic over-tension, this happens on a daily basis.

If that is the case, it is inevitable that the scenery won't catch your eye even if you walk through a park, and your heart won't be moved even if you listen to music. Going on a trip will only make you tired.

When this state continues, it seems some people think, 'Maybe I'm a person with low sensitivity.'

However, rather than a problem of sensitivity, the reality is that because the nervous system's alert mode—which is a more fundamental part—cannot be turned off, the processing of aesthetic information is being put on the back burner.

Therefore, when you end up choosing dumplings over flowers, there is no need to be disappointed and think, 'I'm a crude person.'

If you are eating a dumpling and feeling, 'This dumpling is delicious,' then that in itself can be said to mean your ventral vagal system is working properly.

The reason why 'trying to be moved' makes you feel cold instead

For example, the act of looking at flowers while thinking, 'I should be moved because I'm here,' unfortunately does not work to stir your emotions.

The moment the thought 'I must enjoy this properly' flashes through your mind, your sympathetic nervous system rises a little.

As I have mentioned many times,in the article about aura,the more you are conscious of it, the more your nervous system enters tension mode.

In the first place, being moved is something that happens as a result of safety. While actors and the like may be an exception, 'being moved' is not something you can force yourself to do.

The scenery changes after treatment

People who have received treatment at my clinic sometimes say on their next visit, 'On the way home last time, the city looked beautiful for some reason.'

It goes without saying that the city didn't change before and after the treatment. However, when the state of the nervous system changes, information that had previously blended into the background and was invisible can now be properly perceived.

It seems that when the ventral vagal system returns like this, there is a feeling that the field of vision changes.

There are also voices saying that colors look more vivid or sounds sound rounder. The moment comes when a person who used to choose dumplings over flowers suddenly turns their eyes toward the flowers.

In conclusion

Choosing dumplings over flowers is not a bad thing.

However, if you only see dumplings all the time, it might be a sign that your nervous system has been running in 'combat mode' for a long time. The leeway to appreciate flowers only emerges when the nervous system feels safe.

To you who end up choosing dumplings over flowers during the changing seasons: you are not cold-hearted, your nervous system might just be a little tired.


One final note.

Speaking of 'dumplings over flowers' (hana yori dango), Hana Yori Dango = Jun Matsumoto = Arashi (it's a stretch, but...)

To everyone in Arashi, thank you for your 26 and a half years of hard work.

#AutonomicNervousSystem #VentralVagalSystem #OverTension #FlowerViewing #Sensitivity #DumplingsOverFlowers #TheOldGuyWhoBlamesEverythingOnTheAutonomicNervousSystem #Arashi #Chiropractic

The person writing this note is Fukuyama, a chiropractic therapist in Machida, Tokyo, specializing in 'over-tension and the autonomic nervous system.'
I have been facing states like 'my thoughts won't stop,' 'my fatigue doesn't go away even after resting,' 'my shoulders and neck are always tense,' and 'my body feels heavy for some reason' for 14 years.
If you read this article and think it might be about you, please feel free to consult with me.
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