Feeling on Edge? Your Nervous System Might Be Calling for Help

Question: Did you know that your nervous system is constantly shaping how you experience stress, relationships and even success?

You may have heard people talk about “regulating your nervous system”—but what does that actually mean? And why does it seem like everyone (including your barista) is suddenly obsessed with it? Here’s the thing:

Your nervous system is like your body’s command center, constantly scanning your environment to decide if you’re safe or under a threat. When it’s well regulated, you feel clear-headed, resilient, and able to handle life’s curveballs (even the Monday morning ones). But when it’s dysregulated—stuck in fight, flight, or freeze—it’s a different story. That’s when you might notice things like:

• Overreacting to small things

• Feeling drained, foggy, or like your brain has 37 tabs open but none are loading…

• Trouble setting boundaries or handling conflict without spiraling into stress

• Physically tense, restless, or exhausted—even when you should be relaxing

Now, consider your daily life, both personal and professional. Can you see how an unregulated nervous system makes everything harder? You may struggle to focus, second-guessing decisions, or feel emotionally reactive when you’d rather be calm and in control? If not you, perhaps you’ve seen this in people around you—maybe someone on your team or in your family/ friend’s circle?

Personally, I’ve been working on regulating my system since the head-on car collision last year. I’ve also watched one of my adult kids come back to life after leaving an abusing work situation. Together we have clocked tens of thousand steps together, enjoyed time on my BioMat and shifted from a surviving to thriving mindset.

So, the good news is: You can shift this (for yourself, that is. We can only control ourselves). Regulating your nervous system isn’t about forcing yourself to “be calm”—we all know how well that works. It’s about learning how to work with your body, so stress doesn’t run the show. Breathwork, movement, and intentional awareness can help you shift from survival mode to a state of balance, clarity and confidence.

At all of my upcoming retreats: Blue Ridge, Sweden and Croatia, this will be something we’ll explore and experience. Our inner worlds are affected by the outer world—unrest, uncertainty and division. Now more than ever it’s important to self-regulate and tend to your emotional inner landscape.

Final questions: Have you been paying attention to your nervous system and how it’s affecting your daily life? How would you implement a self-regulating protocol? I’d love to hear from you—let’s connect!

To Powerful, Positive Change…Cheers!

-Adela