How to soothe your nervous system in the daily juggles of life as a woman

Whether you work full or part time or you’re are a successful or aspiring entrepreneur, it’s all too easy to find yourself on the edge of burnout.

As Zoe Haydn Jones, host of the Women Work Well-being podcast, so eloquently puts it, “our bodies are always whispering to us long before they scream.”

In a recent episode, Zoe opened up about her own personal journey with burnout and the powerful lessons she’s learned about the importance of soothing the nervous system.

Burnout: More Than Just Feeling Tired – Zoe explains that burnout goes far beyond mere exhaustion. “Burnout isn’t just about being tired,” she shares. “It’s about your nervous system being completely overwhelmed, stuck in a state of constant alert, unable to rest and recover.”

When our nervous systems are in a state of constant overdrive, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the space for restoration and rejuvenation. This can lead to a host of physical and emotional symptoms, from headaches and sleep disturbances to feelings of unease and an inability to focus.

Embracing the Flow: Balancing Force and Softness – One of the key insights Zoe shares is the concept of “force vs. flow.” She reflects on the tendency to constantly push forward, driven by ambition and a desire to achieve our goals. “Is it push? Is it force? Is it flow?” Zoe questions.

Zoe encourages listeners to consider a more balanced approach, one that allows for a softer, more intuitive flow. “Could we just allow a bit more softness to come in?” she asks. “Could we just let it flow a little bit?” By finding this equilibrium between force and flow, we create the space for sustainable growth, honoring the needs of our nervous systems along the way.

Practical Tips for Soothing the Nervous System

Throughout the episode, Zoe shares three powerful practices that can help soothe the nervous system:

1. Breathe with intention: Inhale for 4-5 seconds, exhale for 6-8 seconds. This simple breathing exercise signals the body to shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest mode.
2. Ground through your senses: When feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to look around and name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This anchors you in the present moment.
3. Embrace stillness: Set aside 10 minutes to simply be, without any agenda or distractions. “You’re not doing anything,” Zoe explains. “You’re just giving yourself permission to be.”

By incorporating these practices into our daily routines, we can begin to recalibrate our nervous systems, creating the space for true restoration and sustainable success. Prioritising Well-being for Lasting Impact As Zoe so eloquently states, “our well-being is not a luxury, but a necessity.”

By honouring the needs of our nervous systems, we empower ourselves to show up more fully, both in our professional pursuits and our personal lives. So, let’s heed Zoe’s advice and start soothing our nervous systems today. After all, as she reminds us, “the growth comes through the difficult times.”

With a balanced approach and a commitment to self-care, we can navigate the highs and lows of our journeys with greater ease and resilience.