If you’ve read my previous post on the nervous system, When Nervous System Tools Help – And When They’re Not Enough , this is the companion piece I wish I had when I was in the thick of it.
Looking back, I can clearly see that my healing unfolded in phases. At the time, it felt chaotic, unpredictable, and never-ending. But in hindsight, there was a rhythm to it—a progression my body was moving through, even when I didn’t understand it.
This is my experience.
A Gentle Disclaimer
This is not medical advice—just my personal experience navigating nervous system dysregulation and healing. Everyone’s body and timeline are different. If you’re in a similar place, take what resonates and leave the rest. Always work with a trusted healthcare provider when needed.
Phase 1: Stabilizing (Finding Safety)
This was the “when the dam broke” phase.
I was completely overwhelmed—physically, mentally, emotionally. I could barely leave my bed. It felt like I was stuck in constant fight-or-flight, like I was being chased by something I couldn’t see.
- Intense anxiety and fear (with no clear reason)
- Nausea and overstimulation
- Racing heart, shallow breathing, tight muscles
- Difficulty sleeping (falling asleep actually felt scary)
- A strong urge to withdraw from everything
Even the idea of meditation or yoga felt laughable. I wasn’t in a place to heal—I was trying to survive.
My only goal: Stabilize. Find safety.
What helped:
- Staying in my safest space (my bedroom, in bed)
- Heated blanket or heating pad on my chest
- Something cool on my forehead (surprisingly grounding)
- Quiet hertz music or nature sounds
- Box breathing
- Co-regulating with a trusted person (this was huge)
- Epsom salt baths
- Prayer/meditation (very simple, not structured)
- Listening to my body
- Cancelling everything
- Soft, grounded lighting
What didn’t help:
- TV, music, conversation
- Bright lights
- Scrolling
- Physical activity
- Supplements
This phase was about reducing input, not adding more.
(If you are going through something similar, please reach out for help if you need additional support during this time)
Phase 2: Resting (Holding the Line)
Eventually, things softened—slightly.
I no longer felt like I was in immediate danger 24/7, but I was still deeply depleted.
- Fatigue, nausea, and low appetite
- Waves of anxiety throughout the day
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling withdrawn, depressed
- Needing my “safe person” nearby
This phase lasted the longest for me—and it was the most frustrating because it felt like nothing was happening.
But something was happening.
This was deep repair.
What helped:
- Rest. And then more rest.
- Journaling daily (to track progress I couldn’t feel)
- Learning about the nervous system (validation mattered)
- Strict, consistent bedtime (9:30pm)
- Very simple whole foods (eggs, meat, soup, toast)
- No sugar
- Time with my pets
- Gradually expanding my space (other rooms, then outside)
- Sitting in sunlight for short periods
Lifestyle anchors:
- Minimal stimulation
- Digital detox
- Natural light
- Simple routines
This phase felt like a “holding pattern.” Quiet. Slow. Even boring.
But it was necessary.
Phase 3: Restoring (Gaining Strength)
At some point, I started to feel a shift.
Not dramatic—but noticeable.
I had a little more energy. A little more stability. It felt like my body finally had some capacity to begin repairing.
What changed:
- Appetite improved
- Anxiety-free moments became more frequent
- I could tolerate more movement and input
What I added:
- Short walks outside
- Grounding (bare feet in the grass)
- Gentle stretching → eventually yoga
- Basic supplements (kept simple: multivitamin, vitamin D)
My daily rhythm looked like:
- Wake
- Stretch
- Pray / gratitude
- Sunlight
- Whole foods
- Movement
- Journaling
- Reflection / prayer
- Sleep
I still kept my world very small. I didn’t want social interaction beyond a few close family members. No scrolling. No music.
But I could feel it: I was getting stronger.
Phase 4: Rebuilding (Expanding Capacity)
This was where I began stepping back into life—slowly and intentionally.
I started introducing more supportive therapies:
- Acupuncture
- PEMF-at home mat
- Somatic movement
- Vibration plate (this feels like it is shaking the trauma out of me)
- Craniosacral therapy
I also:
- Began meditation and visualization
- Worked with a naturopath
- Ran labs to check for deficiencies or imbalances
- Added a few targeted supplements (magnesium, omega-3s)
This phase wasn’t always easy.
Sometimes things felt stirred up. Sometimes I was pushed out of my comfort zone. But I could handle it now.
This was growth.
Little by little, I started to feel like myself again.
Phase 5: Maintaining (Living Again)
This is where everything began to integrate.
Life didn’t become stress-free—but I could move through stress and return to baseline.
That was the difference.
I began:
- Seeing friends again (slowly, one at a time)
- Re-engaging with life in a meaningful way
- Setting and maintaining boundaries
But more importantly, my mindset shifted.
What changed internally:
- I trusted my body
- I believed healing was inevitable
- I stopped forcing the process
- I stopped focusing on my symptoms
- I focused on living—not just healing
My foundations stayed simple:
- Whole foods
- Rest
- Water
- Sunlight
- Nature
- Movement
- Family
- Breath
- Faith
I stopped chasing healing… and let it happen.
Signs Your Nervous System Is Healing
If you’re in this process, progress can be hard to see. These were some of the signs I noticed along the way:
- Longer periods of calm between anxiety waves
- Feeling safer in your body (even briefly at first)
- Improved sleep or less fear around sleep
- Increased appetite or interest in food
- Tolerating more stimulation (light, sound, conversation)
- Wanting to go outside or change environments
- Moments of joy, curiosity, or hope
- Faster recovery after stress
- Feeling more “like yourself” again
Healing isn’t linear—but these small shifts matter.
If I Were to Create a Healing Tool Kit for Myself or Someone Else:
There were definite standouts for tools I used along the way; things I used daily that helped so much. I get asked over and over what I did, what I used, so here were my non-negotiables: (all of which I still use to this day)
- Heating Blanket
- Heating Pad
- Nod Pod Bean Bag For Face
- Sound Machine
- Salt Rock Lamp
- Magnesium Salt for Baths
- Vibration Plate
- PEMF Mat
- Journal
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love or believe will add value to your home and wellness journey. Thank you for supporting my work!
What I’d Want You to Know
If you’re in the early phases, I know how intense and isolating it can feel.
But your body is not broken.
It’s responding exactly how it was designed to. Your body is constantly trying to return you to safety.
Your job isn’t to force healing.
It’s to create the conditions where healing can happen.
For me, that looked like:
- Safety
- Simplicity
- Consistency
- Trust
And most of all—time. My healing wasn’t fast. I was “mostly” functional by month 7-not said to discourage anyone, but to just remind you that healing has its own timeline and just be patient with yourself. Everyone’s timeline will be different.
Do not hesitate to get additional support if you need it!
*People also loved reading: Gratitude as a Practice (Not a Personality Trait) and What is Forgiveness (and why is it so hard?)
Final Thoughts
If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this:
You’re not stuck. You’re in a phase.
And phases pass.
Be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself. Hugs!
Ryne and Pixie 
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