Nervous System Regulation: The Key to Overcoming Burnout for Ambitious Female Entrepreneurs
Takeaway: Learn how to regulate your nervous system to combat anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout as a high-achieving woman. Discover practical tools to shift from fight-or-flight to a calm, focused state.
As a psychotherapist and anxiety treatment specialist, I've seen firsthand how burnout can derail even the most ambitious women. Here are some insights from a conversation with Michelle Grosser, an attorney-turned-life coach who helps high-achieving women regulate their nervous systems.
Many of us operate in a constant state of fight-or-flight without realizing it. This heightened state impacts everything from your decision-making to your ability to take risks in your businesses. When you're stuck in this mode, you're more likely to catastrophize, make impulsive choices, and struggle with scarcity mindsets.
So, how can you shift from this anxious state to one of calm focus?
It starts with recognizing your somatic cues – the physical sensations that signal our nervous system is dysregulated.
Your Body's Secret Language
The first step to breaking this cycle is recognizing your body's signals. For me, it's tension in my jaw and shoulders. For you, it might be:
Churning stomach?
Racing thoughts?
Tight chest?
These physical cues are your body's way of saying, "Hey, we need to regulate!”
Once you're aware of these cues, you can use body-based practices to regulate your system:
Move your body: When anxiety hits, don't force yourself to sit still. Dance, shake, or go for a quick walk to release that energy.
Use temperature changes: Splash cold water on your face or hold an ice cube to break through spirals.
Practice mindfulness: Ground yourself by tuning into your environment.
Try breathwork: Various breathing exercises can help calm your system.
Remember, the goal isn't to feel calm all the time. A regulated nervous system is resilient – able to respond appropriately to stressors and then return to baseline.
Beyond Band-Aid Solutions
While these quick fixes are helpful, true transformation comes from addressing the root causes. Ask yourself:
Are my daily habits supporting or sabotaging my nervous system?
How do I cope with stress? Is it serving me?
Am I suppressing emotions?
Where do I need stronger boundaries?
Redefining 'Success' for Your Nervous System
As entrepreneurs, you often glorify being "busy" and push yourself to the brink. But learning to regulate your nervous system isn't just about feeling better – it's about showing up as your best self in your businesses and lives.
Don't let burnout hold you back any longer – take the first step towards a calmer, more focused you today.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Justine Carino
Justine is a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in White Plains, NY. She helps teenagers, young adults and families struggling with anxiety, depression, family conflict and relationship issues. Justine is also the host of the podcast Thoughts From the Couch.
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