is it depression, or is it dysregulation? 💌

you’d be surprised to know how much of your mental health issues can actually stem from being in a state of chronic ✨physical✨ dysregulation.

a lot of times we go back and forth with ourselves, wondering why life feels soo difficult when it doesn’t really seem like it should be…

it could very well be your body, not you! whether you actively struggle with your mental health or not, regulating your nervous system is an important part of a healthy lifestyle (physically AND mentally)!

💛💛💛

10 signs your nervous system is dysregulated:

1. you constantly feel on edge and overwhelmed

2. you’re frequently snappy, irritable, and reactive

3. you experience chronic pain and illness

4. you’re highly sensitive to sensory stimuli

5. you have problems going to or staying asleep/experience daytime fatigue

6. you have chronic attention and concentration problems

7. you have cravings and extreme appetite changes

8. you’re highly sensitive to other people’s emotional states

9. you experience chronic stress/anxiety

10. you oscillate between very high activity and very low activity frequently

20 ways to naturally regulate your nervous system:

🛏️ deep, uninterrupted sleep (7-9 hours)

😮‍💨 deep breathing

👟 low intensity movement (yoga, walking, etc)

〰️ somatic release (dancing, shaking, crying)

🫂 co-regulation w a loved one in a safe/secure relationship

🎤 singing or humming

🌱 walking barefoot on the earth

💆🏻‍♀️ massage - self or otherwise

🫶 resting and relaxing without obligation

🫂 hugs

🏋🏻 resistance activities (lifting weights, pushing/pulling)

❄️ cold plunges/cold shower

🧘🏻‍♀️meditation

📵 tech-free time

🌞 sunshine

🌳 nature/forest bathing

📓 journaling

👣 sensory grounding practices (smell, touch, etc)

🛀 epsom salt baths and hot showers

🍒 fasting, getting more B Vitamins and magnesium

save this for later 💌

( and take care of yourself ♡ you’ve got this! )

#nervoussystem #nervoussystemregulation #mentalhealthadvice #traumahealing #healingtips #healinglifestyle #physicalhealth #regulatingstress #wellnesstips #healingmyself