08/20/2026
Kind of a LONG read but well worth the time:
The last 9 days (since August 11) have wreaked havoc in the northwest Indiana area. We had storms of such magnitude that over 300,000 people were left without power, resources, a place to live, food, water, even losing their beloved pets, etc . After talking to several people who went through this-I could sense the anxiousness- the stress- the anxiety and it brought back memories of "2020" when we were all quarantined.
I know we are going to be hearing about more and more people who don't know how to deal with these last 9 days and even some have already said how mentally and emotionally overwhelming it has been for them. One person even posted how close they were to "ending it all"...... that worried me!! As things SLOWLY (and I do mean slowly) begin to be repaired and power comes back on, and people are doing their best to return to some sense of normalcy (if we will ever have normal again) here is a little bit of explanation about the brain and hopefully some of you will understand why you are feeling the way you are. Maybe you don't live in northwest Indiana and are still feeling these emotions.. Maybe this small explanation will help you:
If you feel exhausted even when you have technically had enough sleep, your "nervous system" may be carrying a burden your body has not yet had the opportunity to release.
Many people assume nervous system regulation is something that happens naturally when life becomes less stressful. Yet the nervous system does NOT automatically return to a state of calm simply because a difficult season has ended. The body often continues responding as though danger remains present long after the threat has passed. This is why nervous system regulation is less about finding one perfect solution and more about cultivating daily habits that communicate "SAFETY TO THE BRAIN AND BODY". Small, consistent practices can gradually shift the nervous system away from chronic survival mode and toward greater resilience, emotional stability and PEACE.
Nervous system regulation refers to the body's ability to adapt to stress while maintaining emotional, mental, and physical balance. A regulated nervous system can respond appropriately to challenges and then return to a state of rest once the challenge has passed.
When the nervous system becomes dysregulated, the brain may remain stuck in patterns of hypervigilance, anxiety, irritability, emotional overwhelm, exhaustion, or shutdown. Stress hormones remain elevated, sleep becomes disrupted, and even ordinary responsibilities can feel overwhelming.
The goal is not to eliminate stress. Human beings were designed to respond to stress "when necessary". The goal is to increase the nervous system's flexibility so that moments of stress do not become a permanent physiological state.
This understanding aligns with what many people discover while learning to identify the difference between everyday pressure and a brain that remains trapped in a persistent state of alarm.
The brain continuously scans the environment for signs of safety or danger. When danger is perceived, the amygdala (where memories are held) activates protective responses, while stress hormones prepare the body for action.
This response is remarkably effective during "genuine threats". The challenge arises when the brain begins interpreting ordinary experiences- an unanswered text, a difficult conversation, financial concerns, storms that disrupted our lives, or lingering emotions wounds as ongoing threats.
Over time, chronic stress can weaken the brain's ability to distinguish between present reality and past experiences. The nervous system remains activated even when NO immediate danger exists. This is one reason why practices that strengthen emotional awareness and renew thought patterns can be so valuable. Learning to recognize the connection between stress, thoughts, and physiological responses help create opportunities for healing.
MORE ON THE NEXT POST.
