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Good morning,
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing is particularly wrong… but everything feels like too much?
The email feels urgent. The dishes are suddenly personal. Someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” and you briefly consider moving to a remote island.
Or maybe you’re tired—but can’t settle. You’re exhausted—but your brain won’t stop spinning. You’re snapping at people you love. You’re craving quiet, space, sugar, scrolling… or all four.
It might not be that you need to try harder.
One important player in all of this is your vagus nerve—a major part of your nervous system that helps your body shift out of stress mode and toward rest, connection, and calm. Think of it as one of the pathways that helps your brain and body communicate, sending those important “you’re safe, you can exhale now” signals.
Your nervous system might simply be saying: “Hey, friend. We’ve got a lot going on over here.”
Your nervous system is constantly taking notes. It’s scanning your environment and your experiences, asking:
Am I safe?
Do I need to protect myself?
Can I relax?
When life feels overwhelming, stressful, unpredictable, or simply too full, your nervous system can get stuck in high alert. When that happens, it becomes harder to think clearly, sleep well, connect with others, make decisions, access creativity, or simply feel like yourself.
This is why regulating your nervous system matters. Not because you need to become some perfectly zen version of yourself who floats through life smelling faintly of lavender. But because you deserve to feel at home in your own body.
Regulation isn't about never being stressed.
Life is going to life. There will be hard conversations. Unexpected news. Traffic. Hormones. Work deadlines. Family stuff. Technology that refuses to cooperate. And people who chew loudly.
The goal isn't to eliminate stress. It's to help your body move through stress and find its way back to safety. Think of it as giving your nervous system a little reset button.
The beautiful thing is that regulation doesn't have to be complicated. You can try:
☀️ Get outside — Feel the sun on your face. Notice the sky. Put your feet on the earth. Let nature remind your body that there is a world beyond whatever is currently spinning in your head.
🌬️ Breathe a little slower — Try lengthening your exhale. No fancy technique required. Just breathe in… and make the exhale a little longer.
🌊 Cold water — A dip in the ocean, splashing cold water on your face, or even holding something cool can create a powerful moment of presence.
🚶♀️ Move your body — Walk. Stretch. Dance in your kitchen. Shake your arms out. Movement helps your body process energy instead of holding it all inside.
🎶 Use your senses — Listen to music you love. Smell your favorite lotion. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket. Sip something warm. Look for something beautiful.
😂 Laugh — Watch something ridiculous. Call the friend who always makes you snort-laugh. Play. Be silly. Your nervous system doesn't require everything to be serious.
🤗 Connect — A hug. A hand held. A meaningful conversation. Sitting beside someone you love. We regulate not only through what we do alone, but through safe connection with others.
🛑 Pause — Sometimes the most regulating thing you can do is stop adding more. Put down the phone. Step away from the computer. Say no. Sit quietly for five minutes.
And here's the part I really want you to remember: You don't have to wait until you're completely overwhelmed to regulate. You can do it before the breaking point. In fact, doing it before you hit your breaking point is key. It can keep you from hitting your breaking point.
I invite you to notice the signs of overwhelm. Notice the clenched jaw. The shallow breathing. The racing thoughts. The irritability. The urge to run away to that aforementioned island.
Instead of getting all judgy with yourself, get curious.
What is my body trying to tell me?
What do I need right now?
Maybe you need movement.
Maybe you need rest.
Maybe you need connection.
Maybe you need to cry.
Maybe you need to step outside and stare at the ocean for ten minutes.
Maybe you need to laugh until your belly hurts.
Maybe you simply need to stop.
There is no gold star for staying dysregulated. There is no prize for pushing through when your whole body is whispering, “Enough.”
Your nervous system is not your enemy. It is trying to protect you. Instead of asking yourself, “How can I get more done?” Try asking: “What would help me feel a little more safe, settled, and alive right now?”
Then listen. Your body may know the answer before your brain does. And sometimes regulation looks surprisingly simple:
A deep breath.
Bare feet on the sand.
A splash of cold water.
A belly laugh.
A good cry.
A long walk.
A song turned up loud.
A hug.
A pause.
Tiny moments. Big difference.
Your nervous system deserves your attention, your compassion, and a little playfulness too. Because this life isn't meant to be survived while holding your breath. It's meant to be lived. 💛
What are your favorite ways to regulate your nervous system? What will yu do this week to keep you from hitting your breaking point?
Wishing you a week of light, love and laughter,
Lisa
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