When the Season Overstimulates Your Nervous System

Hi community,

If you’re in the middle of family, food, conversations, noise, opinions, and history, this is for you.

Here are a few things that help in real time:

1. Orient your eyes when you feel tense

Look around the room slowly.
Find 3 neutral things.
Feel your feet on the ground.

Notice your breath. Feel the surface of whatever you’re sitting on. 

2. Slow down your chewing

Fast eating activates your system.
Slow eating helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system.

3. Don’t explain your boundaries

You’re allowed to say:
“I’m going to step outside.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not getting into that today.”

Short, clear, no justification.
Your body will thank you.

4. If you start to shut down, move your body a little

Stand up.
Stretch your hands.
Walk to the bathroom.
Movement wakes up your system without overwhelming it.

You can also use cold or warm things, feeling into the sensation, to help you. 

5. Give yourself one thing to look forward to after

A shower. A bath.
Calling a friend.

Listening to music. Making music.
Anything that helps you decompress.

You’re doing the best you can with a full nervous system, and that’s enough.

With love,

Daya