Everyone is Talking About Nervous System Regulation: It’s Not Rocket Science!!!

How Do You Find Out If Your Nervous System Is Dysregulated?

Would you like to know if what you are feeling is your nervous system telling you it is out of balance? The whole system including your brain, your spinal cord and the network of nerves running through your body has its own self-regulating mechanisms. When they don’t work anymore, what happens ?????

What Does It Look Like?

The signs of a dysregulated nervous system can vary widely. You might notice symptoms like:

• Constant anxiety
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping or feeling sleepy all the time
• Low appetite or binge eating, drinking, or smoking
• Difficulty focusing or hyper-vigilance

Physically, it may manifest as:

• Muscle tension
• A racing heart
• A churning stomach
• A choked throat
• Repetitive colds
• Fevers

How Does It Feel?

On an emotional level, dysregulation can feel overwhelming. You may experience:

• Sudden spells of crying
• Getting snappy
• Deep sadness for no reason
• Startling easily at the slightest sound
• A preference for being alone or needing to be surrounded by people to feel safe

How Do You Access Instant Relief?

You may already be doing one or more of these to relieve stress:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Allowing yourself to cry
• Drinking adequate water
• Spending time in nature
• Moving your body through yoga, dancing, or walking

These activities help move energy and release built-up tension. You can also:

• Engage in creative activities
• Spend time with loved ones and pets
• Indulge in hobbies you love

For instant relief, even distractions like:

• Watching happy cat and dog videos
• Getting a head massage
• Listening to your favorite music

How Is This Different from Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation focuses specifically on managing and responding to your feelings directly. It involves:

• Recognizing what you feel
• Feeling it in a safe space
• Taking care of yourself

When Your Emotions Run Riot, How Does That Look?

When emotions run high, you might experience:

• Mood swings
• Sudden outbursts of anger
• Overwhelming sadness

If the emotional overwhelm cannot be recognized or labeled and the corresponding emotion expressed, it will also show up physically. This might manifest as:

• Tension headaches
• Stomach issues
• Fatigue

If you often feel emotionally exhausted or reactive, it’s a sign that both your nervous system and emotions need attention.

How Can You Regulate?

To effectively regulate your emotions, consider using self-soothing techniques. This may involve:

• Journaling to express your thoughts and feelings
• Reaching out to a friend to talk things through
• Working with a therapist to understand your patterns
• Engaging in creative outlets like painting or music

It’s vital to acknowledge your feelings instead of suppressing them, as this can help prevent escalation. Problems arise when your responses are disproportionate to the events that trigger them. Recognizing triggers and patterns in your emotional responses can also be beneficial. Developing coping strategies, like:

• Taking breaks when needed
• Practicing assertiveness in communication

These strategies can empower you to handle emotional challenges more effectively.

What Is Common?

The Body

Both nervous system dysregulation and emotional overload share a common ground—the body. You might notice symptoms such as:

• A racing heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• An overactive digestive system

These can lead to discomfort or even digestive issues like diarrhea. You may also find yourself constantly worried, upset, and crying or experiencing episodes of ranting and rage. If these signs are ignored, they can escalate into psychosomatic disorders, where emotional distress manifests as physical symptoms.

Psycho – of the mind
Somatic – of the body

Now Let’s Put It All Together

When you commit to addressing illogical thinking patterns and fully experiencing your emotions, you create space for healing. Once you have a cognitive awareness of why you interpret things a certain way, begin allowing your body to process and express these feelings—whether through movement, breathwork, or simply sharing with someone you trust.

By taking these steps, you connect all the dots between your mind and body, leading to a profound sense of relief and balance.

Understanding this connection is crucial for your overall well-being. Start taking small steps today toward better regulation, and notice how it positively transforms your life!