Signs Your Nervous System Is Overwhelmed—and How to Reset It
I didn’t always know the signs. I used to think I was just anxious, tired, or “too sensitive.” But the more I began listening to my body—and learning through my healing and training—the more I realized: my nervous system was overloaded.
If you’ve ever felt wired and tired, stuck in survival mode, or unable to relax no matter how hard you try, you’re not alone. Here's how I knew something had to change—and what helped me find calm again.
The Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Signs
For me, it started with the obvious things:
I was easily overwhelmed and irritated
My anxiety was high
I couldn’t sleep
I had tension in my muscles and poor digestion
But there were quieter signs I didn’t catch at first—like twitching muscles, overeating, or trouble winding down even when there wasn’t a big stressor. I started noticing that I felt wired even in low-stress situations, and that’s when I knew it wasn’t just “a busy season.” My nervous system had been stuck in overdrive for too long.
How I Knew It Was More Than Just Stress
I didn’t come to this realization overnight. It happened through self-awareness—getting in tune with my body and asking, what’s really going on here?
Learning how the nervous system works during my IHP training helped it all click: this wasn’t just random anxiety or me overreacting—this was a sign that my body was stuck in survival mode.
What Helped Me Reset
When I finally started listening to my body, I realized that healing didn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent practices made the biggest difference:
Breathwork – especially the “in for 5, out for 8” method
Journaling – to get things out of my head and onto paper
Slow mornings – giving myself space to wake up instead of rushing
Magnesium – supporting my body physically
Better sleep and better food – prioritizing rest and nutrition
Tea and aromatherapy – calming, grounding, and soothing
And when it was hard? I reminded myself: I need to take care of me in order to care for others. That simple truth helped me keep showing up for myself, even on the tough days.
A Note for You
If your nervous system feels overwhelmed, I want you to know:
You are not overreacting.
It’s not “just anxiety.”
You’re not alone.
Sometimes, the first step is as simple as breathwork. Or journaling for 5 minutes. Or finally getting a good night’s sleep. Healing your nervous system doesn’t require a perfect routine—it just takes one step at a time.
So if you’re feeling off today, take a deep breath.
Let it out slowly.
And remind yourself:
You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to reset.
You’ve got this.
