17/02/2026
The body is amazing at letting you when something is up. But how often do we listen?
And me? Oh 🙆♀️ I’m terrible at stopping, listening or heaven forbid I’m sick cause I’m a bloody awful patient!
I am becoming more aware though and I’ve been very aware of my increased stress lately. My spicy brain more discombobulated than usual and the meds not doing their usual magic. And I have made some changes. No caffeine anymore (yea I know like anyone saw that coming!! 🤣) & making time for self care: yoga, floats, red light therapy, exercise, sauna & ice baths. But still today, my voice was gone. No soreness, no intermittent sounds. Some lymph swelling so I thought I’m obviously coming down with something and popped to the pharmacy.
Except after an initial consultation the verdict was: stress. A nervous system shutdown. No signs of infection or inflammation (though of course couldn’t be ruled out fully) but they were thorough. Checked my history, my pre existing conditions, discussed the correlation and the fact this is something that has been recurring for a while.
The advice: well just in case: twice daily vocal cord steams and complete voice rest for at least 3 days.
BUT it was time to pay attention:
Nervous System dysregulation to the point of shutdown needs immediate attention.
Starting at 6pm (ish) removing things causing brain fatigue. No increased demands, save brain energy where you can. Even things like prepping tea, so simple foods easy to prep, no snacks.
Turning the lights down low. Then lower at 7pm and lower still at 8pm. No overhead lights, reduce the brightness on the phone and changes the tv screen settings.
Take a warm shower. Follow with warming, fragrances body oil to soothe.
Breathe: I set up my treatment space with cosy blankets, forest sounds, my favourite wax melt simmering away and lay under the red light.
So clearly my body isn’t coping as well my brain would have me believe but thankfully I’ve done a huge amount of work to know when it’s time to REALLY pay attention.
So for the next few days there’ll be changes to routines, time made for proper rest, appointments made to access additional support and generally just a slower pace. And while previously I’d have apologised for any inconvenience and delay in responding to enquiries, that also has changed. I will not apologise for needing to regulate. To look after myself and prioritise my health.
And nor should you. It’s perfectly ok not to be ok and need space and time to look after yourself. Do it now before your body takes over and really stops you doing things. It’s much harder to pick yourself up from that space 🥰
