Self-Care Commandment number 2. I Will Regulate My Nervous System
In today’s fast-paced, always-on world, it’s easy for our nervous systems to become overstimulated and overwhelmed. Stress, anxiety, constant notifications, and the pressure to do more can leave us feeling frazzled, exhausted, and disconnected.
But here’s the truth:
You have the power to regulate your nervous system.
You can create calm within your own body.
And it starts with one simple intention:
“I will regulate my nervous system.”
What Does That Mean?
Regulating your nervous system means guiding your body and mind back to a state of safety, calm, and balance. It’s how you shift out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-restore. This isn’t just about feeling better emotionally — it also supports your immune system, digestion, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
Here are a few gentle, effective ways to do it:
🌿 Manage Stress and Anxiety
Stress is a natural part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on your nervous system. The first step is awareness. Notice your triggers, and begin to explore how you can respond with care instead of reacting on autopilot. Small, intentional daily practices can help lower your baseline stress level and build emotional resilience over time.
🌬️ Deep Breathing
Your breath is your anchor. It’s always with you, and it’s one of the fastest ways to signal safety to your nervous system.
Try this simple practice:
Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6.
Repeat for a few minutes and notice the shift in your body.
Longer exhales help activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the part responsible for rest and relaxation.
✋ EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique)
EFT combines gentle tapping on specific acupressure points with affirmations or statements about how you’re feeling. It helps release stuck energy, calm emotional distress, and shift your nervous system out of stress mode.
It’s easy to learn and incredibly effective. You can tap through rounds while saying something like:
“Even though I feel anxious right now, I accept how I feel and allow calm to flow in.”
🧘♀️ Meditation
Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind. It’s about becoming present — noticing your thoughts without judgment and returning to your breath or a mantra.
Even a few minutes a day can help create more spaciousness in your mind, soften anxiety, and rewire your brain for calm.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a guided meditation, or simply sit in silence and breathe deeply for two minutes.
Final Thoughts
When you regulate your nervous system, you create space to respond rather than react. You build a foundation of inner safety and peace that supports every part of your life.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, pause and remind yourself:
“I have tools. I have choices. I can regulate my nervous system.”
A Gentle Invitation:
✨ Choose one of these practices to try today.
Whether it’s a breathing exercise, a round of tapping, or a few moments of quiet stillness — give your nervous system the gift of calm.
You are worthy of peace. You are safe to slow down. 💛
