Navigating a Dysregulated Nervous System
A Story We Can All Relate To
Last week, a client of mine described her day like this:
“I woke up exhausted even though I’d been in bed for eight hours. By 9 a.m., I was already snapping at my kids over spilled cereal. My chest felt tight during a job meeting, and by the afternoon, I had such a bad stomachache I couldn’t think straight. By the time I finally sat down at night, I was so wired I couldn’t fall asleep.”
She’s not alone. I hear versions of this story all the time—from parents, students, professionals, and even teens. In fact, a dysregulated nervous system is the single most common complaint I hear from my clients. No matter what brings them in—anxiety, trauma, sleep problems, or even physical pain—it nearly always connects back to the nervous system falling out of balance.
The Orchestra Inside Us
The human nervous system is like an orchestra conductor, guiding every movement, thought, and sensation. It has two main players:
- The sympathetic system, which revs us up for action (fight or flight).
- The parasympathetic system, which soothes us into rest and recovery (rest and digest).
When this system is balanced, we flow easily between these states—energized when we need to be, calm when it’s time to rest. But when stress, trauma, or overwhelm take over, the conductor loses control. The orchestra falls out of rhythm. That’s when symptoms start to show up.
The Many Faces of a Dysregulated Nervous System
You might recognize some of these signs in yourself:
Emotional and Mental Symptoms
- Racing thoughts, chronic anxiety, or a sense of always being “on edge.”
- Mood swings, irritability, or emotional shutdown.
- Feeling detached, foggy, or “checked out.”
Physical Symptoms
- Tight muscles, headaches, or unexplained aches and pains.
- Sleep struggles: insomnia, restless nights, or waking up drained.
- Digestive issues like IBS, nausea, or appetite changes.
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.
Sensory and Awareness Symptoms
- Feeling overwhelmed by light, sound, or crowded places.
- Being hyper-aware, constantly scanning for danger even when you’re safe.
Research even shows that people with nervous system dysregulation often have lower heart rate variability (HRV), which makes them more vulnerable to stress-related conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic illness (Vogue).
What Throws the System Off Balance?
- Chronic Stress & Trauma: Long-term stress or unresolved trauma can trap the body in a “fight-or-flight” loop.
- Overstimulation: Constant screen time, deadlines, and busy schedules leave no room for rest.
- Biological Factors: Hormone changes, gut imbalances, or chronic inflammation can keep the nervous system on high alert.
- Allostatic Load: The cumulative wear and tear of stress—what scientists call “allostatic load”—gradually erodes resilience.
Simple Ways to Find Your Rhythm Again
The good news? Healing is possible. Even small shifts can begin to restore balance.
- Breathe: Try box breathing or the 4-7-8 method to calm the body.
- Move Gently: Walking, yoga, or stretching helps release built-up energy.
- Ground Yourself: Spend time in nature, journal, or create daily rituals that bring calm.
- Connect: Lean on trusted friends, family, or even pets to help restore safety.
- Seek Support: Holistic therapies can help the nervous system relearn balance.
How LENS Helps Restore Balance
One powerful approach I use in my practice is LENS neurofeedback (Low Energy Neurofeedback System). Unlike traditional talk therapy or coping strategies that rely on effort and willpower, LENS works directly with the brain’s electrical patterns.
Here’s how it helps:
- Gentle and Non-Invasive: LENS uses extremely low levels of stimulation—so subtle that most people don’t feel it. Yet it can help “nudge” the brain out of stuck patterns.
- Resets Dysregulation: Many clients describe it as if their brain gets a “soft reboot,” allowing their nervous system to let go of chronic fight-or-flight responses.
- Wide Impact: It has been shown to support conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, sleep issues, and chronic stress—all of which tie back to nervous system dysregulation.
- Fast and Lasting Shifts: Some people notice improvements within just a few sessions, with effects that continue to build over time.
Because nervous system dysregulation is the most common issue I see, LENS has become an invaluable tool in helping clients move from chaos to calm, from reactivity to resilience.
Final Takeaway
If your nervous system feels like it’s stuck on fast-forward—or like it has completely shut down, remember this: you are not broken. Your body is simply trying to protect you the best way it knows how.
With small daily steps—like mindful breathing, movement, and connection—and with deeper support tools like LENS neurofeedback, your system can learn to find harmony again. And when it does, the world feels calmer, clearer, and a whole lot lighter.
-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain for a Happier Life-