Is Your Nervous System Out of Whack? Here's How to Tell (and What to Do About It)

Are you constantly feeling on edge, fatigued, or disconnected from your body? If so, you may be dealing with a dysregulated nervous system - and let me tell you, that's no fun. As someone who has personally experienced the impacts of an imbalanced nervous system, I know how debilitating it can be.

Here are some common signs that your nervous system is out of whack, and let me just say, I can relate to every single one of them. Do any of these sound all too familiar?

Heightened Stress Response: You find yourself in fight-or-flight mode even when there's no real threat, like when you're just trying to get through your morning routine or sit in traffic. Your nervous system is stuck in high gear and it's exhausting.

Difficulty Relaxing: Remember what it feels like to truly unwind and let go? Me neither. You struggle to calm your mind and body, even during your designated "chill" time. It's like your system is perpetually wound up.

Sleep Disturbances: Falling asleep is a battle, staying asleep is a war, and waking up feeling refreshed? Forget about it. Your poor nervous system is so out of whack that it can't even let you rest properly.

Digestive Issues: Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux - the whole gastrointestinal shebang. Your gut and your nervous system are deeply connected, so when one is out of balance, the other tends to go haywire too.

Chronic Pain and Inflammation: Aches, pains, and inflammatory conditions that just won't quit. Your nervous system plays a major role in regulating your body's inflammatory response, so when it's dysregulated, the inflammation can spiral out of control.

But there's another lesser-known sign of nervous system dysregulation that's important to be aware of: functional freeze. Functional freeze is a state where your body essentially "shuts down" in response to overwhelming stress or trauma.

You might find yourself feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from your physical sensations. It's like your nervous system has gone into self-preservation mode, shutting down certain functions to protect you. While it may seem like a strange or even concerning reaction, it's actually a common nervous system response.

If you've ever found yourself in a situation where you felt frozen, unable to move or speak, even when you desperately wanted to - that's functional freeze in action. It's your nervous system's way of trying to keep you safe, even if it doesn't feel that way in the moment.

And the scary thing is, you can actually live in a state of functional freeze, where your nervous system is perpetually stuck in this shutdown mode. This can lead to chronic feelings of numbness, dissociation, and disconnection from your body and your emotions.

Another related concept is learned helplessness, which can also stem from a dysregulated nervous system. Learned helplessness is a state where you've essentially given up trying to change your circumstances because you've experienced repeated failures or losses of control.

This learned helplessness can manifest as a profound sense of passivity, apathy, or resignation - even in the face of situations that you could potentially influence or improve. It's like your nervous system has given up, and you've internalized the belief that you're powerless to make a difference.

So, if any of these signs resonate with you, know that you're not alone. A dysregulated nervous system is more common than you might think, and it's not something you have to just endure. There are proven, science-backed techniques you can use to bring your nervous system back into balance and I know the power of these techniques first hand as I use them everyday.

Ready to start healing your nervous system and create lasting change in your life? Book a Nervous System Reset Session with me for a personalized assessment and discover a sustainable path to regulation and wellbeing. Your calmer, more balanced future begins with this first step. Trust me, your body and mind will thank you.