10 Ways Having a Dysregulated Nervous System Can “F” Up Your Life

A dysregulated nervous system can wreak havoc on your life in ways you might not even realize. It's not just about feeling stressed or anxious—when your nervous system is out of balance, it can affect your mental health, physical well-being, relationships, and how you show up in the world. Here are ten ways a dysregulated nervous system can totally fuck things up:

1. You’re Constantly Anxious or on Edge

A dysregulated nervous system keeps you stuck in fight-or-flight mode, so you're always bracing for danger—even when there’s none. You might find yourself hypervigilant, unable to relax, and endlessly worrying about the future. It feels like your brain is always scanning for threats, making it hard to focus or enjoy the present moment.

2. You Struggle with Relationships

When your nervous system is dysregulated, it impacts how you connect with others. You may become reactive, easily triggered, or withdrawn. Intimacy and trust can feel impossible because your body is constantly signaling "danger," even in safe situations. This creates misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance with the people you care about most.

3. Emotional Rollercoaster

A dysregulated nervous system can cause you to swing between emotional extremes. One moment you’re calm, and the next, you’re overwhelmed by rage, fear, or sadness. These emotional shifts can feel out of control and exhausting, making it hard for others—and even yourself—to know what to expect from you.

4. You’re Always Tired, But Can't Rest

When you’re stuck in fight-or-flight or freeze mode, your body is burning energy as if you're under constant threat. This leaves you feeling drained. But when it’s time to actually rest or sleep, your nervous system is too revved up to let you relax, creating a vicious cycle of chronic fatigue and sleeplessness.

5. You’re Prone to Physical Illness

Chronic stress from a dysregulated nervous system weakens your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to illness. Conditions like autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, and heart disease are more common when your body is stuck in survival mode. Over time, stress becomes inflammation, and that can lead to all sorts of long-term health problems.

6. Addiction Becomes a Coping Strategy

Anyone automatically reach for the phone? To escape the discomfort of a dysregulated nervous system, many people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol, drugs, overeating, or excessive screen time. These habits provide short-term relief but only make things worse in the long run. What started as a way to numb the chaos inside can quickly become a full-blown addiction.

7. You Sabotage Your Own Success

When your nervous system is out of whack, self-sabotage becomes the norm. Whether it’s procrastination, perfectionism, or avoiding opportunities, you’re constantly getting in your own way. The fear of failure—or even the fear of success—can keep you from taking risks, pushing forward, or fully stepping into your potential.

8. You Feel Disconnected from Your Body

A dysregulated nervous system can cause you to dissociate, making you feel disconnected from your body and your emotions. This might show up as numbness, a lack of awareness of your needs, or feeling like you’re just “going through the motions.” Without a solid mind-body connection, it’s hard to stay present or fully engage in life.

9. You Can’t Trust Your Own Instincts

When your nervous system is dysregulated, it’s hard to tell the difference between real danger and perceived danger. This means you might react to situations in ways that don’t match the actual threat level, making you doubt your own judgment. You may end up making impulsive decisions or second-guessing everything, eroding your confidence over time.

10. You Live in a State of Overwhelm

A dysregulated nervous system makes it hard to manage everyday stress. What might seem like a minor inconvenience to others can feel like a full-blown crisis to you. Tasks pile up, responsibilities feel crushing, and even the simplest decisions can send you spiraling into overwhelm. Living like this makes life feel like an uphill battle every day.

So, What’s the Fix?

The good news is, you can regulate your nervous system. It takes work, but the first step is awareness. Practices like breathwork, meditation, somatic therapy, and nervous system regulation exercises can help you get out of survival mode and into a state where you feel safe, grounded, and connected.

If any of this sounds familiar, know that it’s not your fault. Your nervous system is just trying to protect you—but it’s possible to retrain it to respond in healthier ways. Might I humbly suggest checking out my new book, Always Enough, Never Done that might help get to the root of some of the dysregulation.

Text the keyword “Enough” to (719) 521-7971 to get updates on preorder discounts and entered to win a free copy of the book and accompanying workbook.

Taking control of your nervous system might be the most powerful thing you can do to step back into your power and live a life that is in alignment with who you really are.