Episode Five: The Nervous System Switch

Episode five of a series of five bite-sized psychoeducational talks to calm the mind and spark change. Why your body reacts before your mind, and how to switch it off gently. Empower you with the truth: regulation is a skill, not a mystery, and it’s already happening every time you practice.

Transcript

If you've ever wondered,

Why do I overreact?

Why can't I just stay calm?

The answer isn't willpower.

It's your nervous system.

When something feels threatening,

Even a tone of voice or a stressful email,

Your body moves before your mind.

Fight,

Flight,

Freeze.

It's automatic.

But here's the good news.

You have a safety switch.

It's called name,

Notice,

Breathe.

First,

Name it.

Say to yourself,

This is stress or this is my body bracing.

Just naming it calms the brain.

Next,

Notice one thing.

Look around.

See the chair you're sitting in or the way your hands feel resting in your lap.

Finally,

Breathe.

One slow inhale.

One soft exhale.

And watch what happens.

Your body eases.

Your mind clears.

Because you've just flipped that switch.

You've told your nervous system,

I'm safe.

And the more you practice this,

The faster it works.

Until one day,

You notice that you don't just know you're safe.

You feel it.

And from there,

Everything gets easier.