When life feels overwhelming, it’s not just your thoughts that are affected.
It’s your nervous system.
In this third episode of the When the World Feels Like Too Much series, we go beneath sleep and movement to the foundation underneath them both: how your nervous system responds to stress, threat, and uncertainty.
This episode isn’t about calming down or forcing yourself to feel better.
It’s about understanding what your nervous system is doing right now — and why your reactions make sense given what you’re living through.
We’ll explore why survival states like fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown become more active during hard times, why “just relaxing” often doesn’t work, and how small moments of safety and regulation can help without forcing stillness or positivity.
This episode is about working with your nervous system instead of fighting it.
✨ Next up in the series:
The Missing Layer of Care You Might Be Skipping
—CHAPTERS—
00:00 Introduction to Overwhelm and the Nervous System
00:20 Series Overview and Previous Episodes Recap
00:51 Today's Focus: Understanding the Nervous System
01:31 Welcome and Host Introduction
02:30 Deep Dive into Nervous System Regulation
02:53 Polyvagal Theory Explained
04:03 Fight, Flight, and Freeze Responses
05:58 Coping with Current Events and Trauma
08:27 Feeling and Processing Emotions
24:27 Practical Coping Tools and Techniques
29:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
✨ If you found this episode helpful…
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💛 Connect with me on social media!
Youtube: @Jenbarnes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbarneslicsw/
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health or medical advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice or psychotherapy.
If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency please contact emergency services in your area. If you are in the USA, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis line or 911 for a medical emergency.
