01/02/2026
🌿 Nervous System Regulation
(Why It Matters + Simple Ways to Start)
Life moves with the ebb and flow of the seasons.
The plants know it. The animals know it.
But change isn’t linear.
We’re often given a glimpse of what’s coming—a warm day in winter, a burst of motivation—only for it to fade back again. I think nature does this on purpose. It prepares us gently. It reminds us that change takes time. And it offers compassion when we don’t move as fast as we think we should.
Here in the Upper Midwest, we’ve passed the shortest days of the year. The light is slowly returning, but winter still asks us to slow down. To reflect. To honor what we did manage. To have grace for what didn’t get finished. To decide what actually matters before spring momentum takes over.
Underneath all of this is something foundational to health that doesn’t get talked about enough:
Nervous system regulation.
You can take supplements to support cortisol or anxiety—and those can help—but if we don’t work with the nervous system in real time, adaptability becomes harder. We stay in survival mode: reactive, exhausted, disconnected.
A regulated nervous system doesn’t mean being calm all the time. It means having the ability to return to center.
Simple Practices to Support Nervous System Regulation
(Choose one. That’s enough.)
• Longer exhales: Inhale gently through the nose, then extend the exhale. Longer exhales signal safety to the nervous system.
• Orienting: Slowly look around the room and name 3 things you can see, 2 things you can hear, and 1 thing you can feel in your body.
• Warmth: A warm shower, heating pad on the low back or belly, or a warm mug held in both hands.
• Rhythm: Walking, gentle rocking, slow stretching—rhythmic movement helps settle the nervous system.
• Predictability: Same tea, same chair, same time of day. Consistency builds safety.
Herbal Allies I Often Reach For
🌱 Milky Oats – Deep nourishment for frazzled nerves and burnout; restoration, not sedation.
🌱 Lemon Balm – Gentle calming support, especially when stress sits in the chest or gut.
🌱 Chamomile – Supports digestion, the vagus nerve, and nervous tension held in the body.
🌱 Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Builds stress resilience and emotional steadiness over time.
🌱 Nettle – Mineral-rich nourishment that supports the nervous system indirectly by replenishing what chronic stress depletes.
This time of year, I often reach for my Rooted Resilience Tea—a grounding blend designed to support stress adaptation, steadiness, and deep nourishment during long winters and times of transition. It’s not about forcing energy, but about supporting the body where it’s at.
Herbs work best when paired with practices. Regulation isn’t something you “fix.” It’s something you build, slowly and consistently—just like the seasons themselves.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. One practice. One ally. One warm cup of tea.
That’s more than enough. 🌿
