27/11/2025
5 Signs Your Nervous System is Struggling
Youâre over there -> minding your own business, living on caffeine, protein drinks and the âI can do anything I set my mind toâ attitude untilâŚ
You start to notice some things changingâŚ
Your nervous system is required to process A LOT of information, stimulation and expectation and thereâs a certain point where itâs going to communicate to you that itâs downright exhausted or at least headed in that direction. We would be wise to listen, and then DO something about it.
What to look out for:
1. Weakness: things that once felt easy like plank, down-dog, taking the stairs with a full basket of laundry just FEEL heavier and more challenging. We just donât feel as strong.
2. Inflammation is on the rise and you feel it in your body as you experience more aches and pains than usual.
3. Sleep disturbances. You struggle to fall asleep or you fall asleep fine but then your wide awake around 2-3am and maybe even experience a heightened heart rate, restlessness and racing thoughts. These things are closely tied to cortisol which is also related to blood sugar.
4. Mental fatigue. You canât remember things as well, brain fog, irritability and lack of patience because your brain just feels heavy & overstimulated.
5. You find yourself constantly chasing new symptoms. Tight neck, tight pelvic floor, vulvodynia symptoms like external pain/itching/burning, low back tension, decrease in range of motion or even being super stiff in the mornings. It seems like one gets better and another one starts or worse, they just pile up on top of each other.
Is this list all because of your nervous system? Probably not. Nothing in the body is that âsimple,â but itâs a big part of it.
What can you do right now to support your nervous system?
- Rest. I know, duh, right? But seriously, take some time off from the HIIT, heavy weight lifting, intense cardio or even the 15K steps a day. Give your body a full 4-5 days of just rest and recovery.
- Focus on movement that supports the nervous system like mobility, gentle flow, myofascial release is excellent and somatic movement where you are listening to where your body wants you the move instead of your brain.
- Pause. Take more breaks. They donât have to be long. When you get to your destination, or when youâre leaving, take 2-5 minutes in your car where you just sit and breathe, connect to your pelvic floor, center your thoughts to the present moment.
- Eat nourishing foods. I have a 90/10 rule. 90% nutrition, 10% entertainment. Iâm going to eat the gluten free cookie but Iâm also going to eat the protein and veggies. My soul needs the cookie and my body needs the broccoli đ
- Stop mindlessly scrolling. Have you ever noticed how your heart rate goes up after scrolling for a while? It literally messes with your brain chemicals. If youâre going to scroll, set a timer on your phone so you donât lose an hour before youâve realized.
In short. Be mindful.
You are valuable. Itâs okay to slow down. You donât have to earn rest.