The Nervous System and Trauma: Why You Feel Stuck (and How Brainspotting Helps)
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a loop—exhausted but unable to relax, tired but wired, constantly running on stress fumes? Maybe you chalk it up to too much coffee or the fact that adulthood seems to be an endless list of responsibilities. But here’s a secret: it’s not just you. And it’s not your caffeine intake (although… maybe cut back on the fourth espresso). It’s your nervous system.
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel edgy, drained, or flat-out frozen when nothing “bad” is happening, you’re not imagining things. Trauma—whether from childhood, difficult relationships, or those “small” events you thought you got over—lives in the body. And more specifically, it hangs out in your nervous system.
The Nervous System: Trauma’s Favorite Hideout
Your nervous system is basically the command center for how you feel. It runs the show when it comes to stress, relaxation, and everything in between. When things are working well, you can handle life’s ups and downs without feeling like you’re constantly stuck in survival mode.
But trauma changes the way your nervous system operates. It’s like your body has an overzealous security system that never shuts off. Even when you’re safe, your brain might still be scanning for danger, your muscles tensed like you’re bracing for impact, and your thoughts running through every possible worst-case scenario—just in case.
And here’s the kicker: this can happen whether you’ve experienced a big, obvious trauma (like an accident or a loss), or smaller, chronic stresses over time (like growing up in a household where you never felt quite safe or accepted).
Signs Your Nervous System Might Be Stuck in Survival Mode
If you’re thinking, “That sounds familiar,” you’re not alone. Here are a few ways your nervous system might be waving a little red flag:
-You feel constantly on edge, as if something bad is about to happen—even if you’re just sitting on your couch watching a baking show.
- You’re exhausted but can’t fall asleep because your brain is holding an emergency meeting that you did NOT schedule.
-You find yourself overreacting to small things, like your partner forgetting to take out the trash… again.
- You feel emotionally numb or disconnected, like you’re watching life happen but not really in it.
- You’re always “fine” on the outside but secretly feel like you’re one small stressor away from a meltdown.
Sound familiar? Yep. It’s not just stress. It’s your nervous system doing its best to protect you, even if it’s a little overenthusiastic.
Why Traditional Talk Therapy Doesn’t Always Cut It
Talk therapy is amazing. (I’m a huge fan!) But sometimes, no matter how much insight you gain, you still feel stuck. That’s because trauma doesn’t just live in your thoughts—it lives in your body. You can’t logic your way out of a nervous system that’s stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.
This is where Brainspotting comes in. Think of it as a way to gently guide your nervous system back to its natural, balanced state—without having to explain every single detail or relive your worst moments.
How Brainspotting Helps Regulate Your Nervous System
So, what is Brainspotting? In short, it’s a brain-body therapy that helps you process trauma by accessing the parts of your brain where those experiences are stored.
Here’s how it works:
We identify what’s going on. Maybe it’s a feeling of overwhelm, a specific memory, or just a sense that something isn’t right.
We find your brainspot. That’s a spot in your field of vision that connects to the unresolved experience in your brain and body.
You focus on the brainspot while noticing what comes up. And your brain does the heavy lifting—processing, releasing, and integrating at a deep level.
You feel lighter. Seriously. Most clients describe a sense of relief, calm, and clarity after a session.
Real-Life Example Time
Take Sarah (not her real name), for example. Sarah was a go-getter, always busy, always “fine.” But inside? She felt like she was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sleep? Forget about it. Relaxation? What’s that?
After a few Brainspotting sessions, Sarah noticed she was sleeping better. She wasn’t jumping out of her skin every time her phone buzzed. And when her kid spilled a gallon of milk on the couch, she calmly reached for the towels instead of having a full-on panic attack.
It wasn’t magic. It was her nervous system finally getting the memo: “Hey, we’re safe now.”
Brainspotting Helps You Move From Survival Mode to Thrival Mode
(Yes, “thrival” is a made-up word, but it fits!)
When your nervous system calms down, you can:
✨ Make decisions without second-guessing yourself 47 times.
✨ Actually enjoy downtime without feeling guilty.
✨ Sleep through the night without your brain writing a novel at 3 a.m.
✨ Respond to stress instead of reacting like the world is ending.
✨ Feel present in your relationships instead of distracted or numb.
You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Own Body
If you’ve been running on survival mode for years, it might feel normal—but it’s not. Your nervous system was designed for balance, not burnout.
Brainspotting can help you find that balance again. It’s gentle, it’s powerful, and it works even when words fail.
Ready to Get Unstuck?
If you’re tired of living on edge, let’s talk. Brainspotting can help you release the tension your body’s been carrying and help you feel grounded, safe, and fully present again.
Click here to schedule a session, and let’s get your nervous system back on board with calm.