Overstimulated nervous system? Do you ever feel like your body just won’t turn off? Maybe your mind races at night, your heart feels like it’s on high alert, or you’re constantly tired but can’t relax. These could all be signs that your nervous system is overstimulated—and you’re not alone.
At Wellness 1st Chiropractic in Austin, MN, we see this all the time. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Let’s take a closer look at what this means, why it happens, and how chiropractic care can help bring your body back into balance.
What Does Overstimulated Nervous System mean?
Your autonomic nervous system has two main branches:
- Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
- Parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
When you’re in danger or under stress, your sympathetic system kicks in—your heart rate goes up, your breathing gets shallow, and your body gets ready to act. That’s helpful during emergencies. But when this system stays on high alert long-term, your body suffers.
Being overstimulated means your sympathetic system is overactive and your parasympathetic system (calming side) isn’t getting a chance to do its job.
Signs Your Nervous System Is Stuck in Overdrive
You might not even realize your body is living in a constant stress state. Here are some common signs:
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Muscle tension or jaw clenching
- Racing thoughts or anxiety
- Digestive issues (like bloating or acid reflux)
- Chronic fatigue, even after rest
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, or touch
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed
If any of these sound familiar, your nervous system could be overstimulated.
What Causes Chronic Nervous System Stress?
It’s not just big life events that cause stress. Small, ongoing pressures add up. Some common culprits include:
- Work deadlines or long hours
- Scrolling or multitasking all day
- Poor posture and spinal misalignment
- Caffeine or sugar overload
- Sleep deprivation
- Chronic pain or inflammation
- Unresolved trauma or emotional stress
Even sitting at a desk too long or breathing shallowly can trigger your body’s stress response.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Reset Your Nervous System
Chiropractic care focuses on the spine and nervous system—the very core of your body’s stress response. When your spine is misaligned (called a subluxation), it can irritate nearby nerves, disrupt communication between the brain and body, and keep your stress system “on.”
Here’s how adjustments help:
1. Restore Balance to the Overstimulated Nervous System
Spinal adjustments reduce tension and inflammation around nerve pathways, helping calm the sympathetic response and support the parasympathetic (rest and digest) system.
2. Support Vagus Nerve Function
The vagus nerve, your body’s “calm button,” runs from your brainstem to your gut—and chiropractic care helps remove interference to this powerful nerve. (Learn more in our blog: The Vagus Nerve: How Chiropractic Care Supports Your Body’s Calm Button)
3. Improve Sleep and Reduce Tension
Patients often report better sleep and less overall tension after a few visits. That’s a sign your nervous system is finally getting a break.
Other Natural Ways to Calm an Overstimulated Nervous System
Chiropractic care is a great foundation, but you can support your nervous system at home too. Try these tools:
- Deep breathing: Try 4-7-8 breathing or slow belly breaths.
- Cold therapy: A splash of cold water or cool shower stimulates calming nerves.
- Gentle movement: Walking, yoga, or light stretching reduces tension.
- Less screen time: Give your brain a break from constant alerts and blue light.
- Laugh, sing, or hum: These activities activate the vagus nerve.
- Regular sleep: Consistency is key to rebalancing your system.
You Don’t Have to Live in Fight-or-Flight
If your body feels like it’s always “on,” it’s time to hit the reset button.
At Wellness 1st Chiropractic in Austin, MN, we help you retrain your nervous system so you can finally feel calm, clear-headed, and energized again. Our personalized care focuses on your whole body—from posture to nerve health to stress relief.
Schedule your appointment today and start your journey toward a calmer, more balanced you.