During a recent catchup with a friend I commented that my nervous system was super activated in a ‘take flight NOW’ kind of way and concluded with a dismissive ‘who knows what’s going on’. My friend listed the things I’d shared and I heard through her eyes that it was a lot. Neither good nor bad a lot, just…a lot. Super activating for my sweet nervous system just trucking along doing their best.

I wondered afterwards why knowing my nervous system was tightly strung wasn’t enough to check in and do something different. These are conversations I have with people (clients, friends, children, parents in the pick up line) every day. Do we have to know the reasons for overwhelm or is noticing feeling overwhelmed on its own enough? Can we pay attention to our state of being and take rest when needed, even without understanding it at a cognitive level? Does the reason for needing a break need to be ‘valid’ or can it just be a thing that’s needed in that moment?

I was speaking to my friend on Thanksgiving weekend after a tough week and on a day of horrific world news. My nervous system was clocking each and every stressor, even if my mind hadn’t catalogued them yet. My nervous system knew there was a lot going on and that it needed soothing - and it was right.

Our nervous systems are more intuitive, insightful, and informed than our intellect can keep up with sometimes. Consider taking cues from how you’re feeling instead of waiting for your cognition to catch up to offer approval. Play with practicing letting the noticing of internal state be enough to change direction, take rest, pause, or deep dive into self-care. Be gentle with yourself even if you don’t know why you need to be (yet).