5 Signs Your Nervous System is Overloaded (And What to Do About It)
Feeling wired, tired, and unable to truly relax? You’re not alone.
Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more women in my Newcastle clinic who arrive exhausted but “stuck in go-mode.” Their minds are racing, their bodies feel tense, and they can’t seem to fully switch off — even when they want to.
This isn’t just regular stress. Often, what’s going on is nervous system overload — when the body’s “on” switch gets stuck and can’t easily reset itself.
What Is Nervous System Overload?
Your nervous system is designed to keep you safe. When it senses danger, it flips into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode — giving you the energy to respond.
The problem? Modern life keeps triggering that same stress response, even when there’s no real emergency.
Deadlines, constant notifications, relationship pressures, perfectionism… they all add up. Over time, your nervous system starts operating as if it’s always under threat.
That’s when you start to notice the symptoms.
5 Signs Your Nervous System Is Overloaded
1. You Can’t Switch Off — Even When You’re Exhausted
You finally sit down after a big day… and your brain is still going. You’re replaying conversations, worrying about tomorrow, or scrolling on autopilot because stillness feels uncomfortable.
2. Digestive Upsets or Unexplained Body Tension
Tight shoulders, clenched jaw, butterflies in your stomach — or even bloating and reflux. When your body is stuck in stress mode, digestion takes a back seat, and muscles hold tension “just in case.”
3. Emotional Reactivity — Snapping or Crying Easily
Small things feel big. You might snap at loved ones or burst into tears over something minor. It’s not weakness — it’s your nervous system signalling it’s overloaded and has little capacity left.
4. Constant Brain Fog or Forgetfulness
You walk into a room and can’t remember why. You reread the same sentence three times. A stressed nervous system diverts resources away from memory and focus, making clear thinking harder.
5. You Feel ‘Disconnected’ from Your Body
It’s like you’re moving through life on autopilot — functioning, but not truly feeling present. This “shut down” can be your body’s way of protecting you when stress feels unrelenting.
Why This Happens
When stress and unresolved experiences build up, the body can lose its ability to return to a calm, balanced state.
For many women, this happens quietly over years — juggling careers, families, and expectations while putting self-care last.
Your nervous system isn’t broken. It’s simply learned to stay on high alert. And the good news? It can relearn safety.
What You Can Do About It (The Reset)
Here are a few small steps you can start today:
Breath Awareness: Spend one minute noticing your breath. Gently exhale for longer than you inhale — this signals safety to your nervous system.
Body Check-In: Pause and notice — where am I holding tension right now? Can I soften that spot just a little?
Micro-Moments of Rest: Lie down for 2–3 minutes, close your eyes, and let your body sink into the support beneath you.
While these simple practices can help, sometimes the overload runs deep — and that’s when somatic work and spinal energetics can create a real shift. This gentle, hands-on approach helps your body release stored stress and re-pattern into a calmer state.
Finding Support in Newcastle
If you recognise yourself in these signs, know that you don’t have to push through alone.
In my Charlestown clinic, I work with women from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie to gently unwind their nervous systems, restore balance, and reconnect them with their bodies.
You can:
Join the waitlist for our upcoming nervous system healing workshops