If you would rather watch this instead of read it, you can watch the full YouTube video HERE.

This article expands on that video and walks you through what is actually keeping your nervous system dysregulated, why these patterns matter physiologically, and how to begin shifting them in a realistic, sustainable way.

What Keeps Your Nervous System in a Dysregulated State (And How to Fix It)

If you feel anxious, wired, exhausted, or unable to truly relax even when life looks “fine,” there is a very real reason for that.

Your nervous system may be dysregulated.

Nervous system dysregulation does not mean something is wrong with you. It means your body has been in survival mode for too long without enough signals of safety.

One of the biggest myths around nervous system regulation is the belief that you need to feel calm all the time.

That is not what a healthy nervous system looks like.

A healthy nervous system knows how to activate when needed and how to return to baseline once the stressor passes.

A dysregulated nervous system stays stuck. It stays alert, guarded, or overwhelmed even when there is no immediate threat.

This is why so many people feel like they are constantly “on,” mentally tired, emotionally reactive, or unable to fully rest.

In my work as a Naturopathic Doctor, I see people who are doing everything right on paper. They eat well. They exercise. They meditate. They take supplements. Yet their nervous system still feels dysregulated.

This is because nervous system regulation is not just about adding calming practices. It is about removing the patterns that continuously tell your body it is not safe.

Below are the three most common factors I see keeping nervous systems dysregulated, and what actually helps instead.

Constant Overstimulation Keeps the Nervous System Activated

We live in a world of constant stimulation. 

From a nervous system perspective, constant input signals that something is always happening and always needs attention.

Even when content feels entertaining or harmless, your brain is still processing information. This keeps your nervous system in a state of alertness.

True rest is not simply the absence of work. True rest is the absence of stimulation.

When every quiet moment is filled with scrolling or content consumption, your nervous system never fully downshifts into a restorative state. Over time, this creates a baseline level of low grade stress that many people normalize.

Clinically, this often shows up as difficulty relaxing, restlessness during downtime, and trouble falling asleep because the mind will not shut off.

How to fix this? You do not need to eliminate your phone or technology. But you do need moments throughout the day where your nervous system experiences stillness.

Instead of reaching for your phone while waiting in line or sitting in your car, allow yourself to pause. Notice your breath. Notice your body. Notice your surroundings.

These micro moments of low stimulation are incredibly powerful. When repeated consistently, they teach your nervous system that it is safe to relax.

Chronic Urgency Trains the Nervous System to Stay in Survival Mode

Urgency is one of the fastest ways to dysregulate the nervous system. Your nervous system does not differentiate between real danger and perceived pressure.

When you rush through your day, multitask constantly, or hold unrealistic expectations for yourself, your body interprets this as a threat.

Living with chronic urgency keeps stress hormones elevated. From the nervous system’s perspective, urgency means time is running out. And a body that believes time is running out will not relax.

This is why so many people feel anxious even when nothing is objectively wrong.

How to fix this? One of the most regulating shifts you can make is learning to slow down without judging yourself for it. This does not mean letting go of ambition or productivity.

It means setting realistic expectations for the season of life you are in. Choose one or two true priorities instead of trying to do everything.

Slow down transitions between tasks. Allow yourself to finish one thing before starting the next. Slowing your physical pace helps slow stress signals to the brain.

This is why people often feel calmer on vacation or during slow mornings. It is not the absence of responsibility. It is the absence of urgency.

Blood Sugar Dysregulation Creates Hidden Nervous System Stress

Blood sugar regulation plays a foundational role in nervous system health, yet it is often overlooked.

Your brain relies heavily on stable glucose levels to function properly. When blood sugar drops too low, your body perceives this as a threat to survival. In response, it releases cortisol and adrenaline to bring blood sugar back up.

These are stress hormones. This means blood sugar swings create stress responses, even if you feel emotionally calm.

Common contributors include skipping meals, relying on coffee instead of food, eating meals high in sugar without enough protein or fat, and going too long between meals.

You cannot calm a nervous system that believes it is starving.

How to fix this? Support blood sugar stability by eating regular meals, prioritizing protein, including healthy fats, and balancing carbohydrates.

For many people, this alone leads to significant improvements in anxiety, energy, and brain fog. In practice, I often see people labeled as anxious when the root cause is physiological stress driven by unstable blood sugar.

Nervous System Regulation Is About Removing Stress Signals

Many people believe they need to find the perfect nervous system tool.

But nervous system regulation is not about hacks or perfection. It is about reducing the signals that keep your body in survival mode.

You can do breathwork daily, but if your life is filled with overstimulation, urgency, and physiological stress, your nervous system will remain dysregulated.

When you remove these stress signals, your nervous system finally has the opportunity to recalibrate. Sleep improves. Digestion improves. Emotional resilience increases. Focus becomes clearer. Most importantly, your body no longer feels like it is fighting against you.

What a Regulated Nervous System Actually Looks Like

A regulated nervous system is not calm all the time.

It activates when needed and returns to baseline once the stressor passes. It can respond to life without staying stuck in survival mode.

This flexibility is the true marker of nervous system health.

Where to Start If Your Nervous System Feels Dysregulated

If this resonates, start small. Choose one area to focus on. Reduce stimulation. Slow your pace. Support your blood sugar.

These are not small changes. They are foundational shifts that signal safety to your nervous system.

When your nervous system feels safe, everything else becomes easier.

If you would like support creating a personalized nervous system regulation plan, you can book a complimentary discovery call HERE to explore what your body needs most right now.