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When Your Nervous System Takes Over (And How to Take It Back)
In this episode, we're breaking down what's really happening in your body during stress and trauma — and why your reactions make sense. From fight and flight to freeze, fawn, and even flop, you'll learn how your nervous system automatically responds to perceived danger — and why those responses are not weaknesses, but survival mechanisms designed to protect you.
We'll talk about what happens when you've been stuck in survival mode for too long — especially in toxic or high-stress relationships — and how that impacts your ability to think clearly, plan, and feel grounded. You'll also walk away with practical, research-backed tools to regulate your nervous system in the moment, including breathing techniques, grounding exercises, vagus nerve stimulation, and longer-term rewiring strategies.
If you've ever wondered why you reacted the way you did… or carried shame for not "handling it differently"… this episode will help you understand your body, calm your system, and move one step closer to thriving. You survived for a reason — and now you get to learn how to thrive.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Quick ways to settle your nervous system:
- Breathing: regulate your breathing through control breaths. Boxed breathing or 4-7-8 can work. Consciously lowers your heart rate.
- Grounding techniques: try the 5-4-3-2-1 method – 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. This moves you out of a panic or freeze state.
- Vagus nerve: for an immediate shift – splash cold water on your face, gargle water, or hum – they all trigger your calming response.
- Butterfly hug: cross your arms over your chest and alternately tap your shoulders. This will help you to feel more secure and grounded.
BEST MOMENTS
Your body will never forget how someone made your nervous system feel. –Unknown
The nervous system holds the key to the body's incredible potential to heal itself. –Jay Holder
A healthy nervous system is not always calm. It is flexible and resilient. –Jessica Maguire
If you want to improve the world, start by making people feel safer. –Stephen Porges
VALUABLE RESOURCES
If you're struggling in a relationship and wondering if it might be controlling, you're not alone. Download my free guide at locatecoaching.com/freegift to help you find clarity and confidence.
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Check out other episodes of Life After: From Surviving to Thriving:
https://sites.libsyn.com/460833/site
ABOUT THE HOST
Jill McKnight is a mindset coach and speaker as well as an Erickson Professional Certified Coach. She specializes in supporting those who are rebuilding their lives and finding their most aligned path forward.
Jill knows that the tips and tricks in each episode work – because she's used them to change her life and her clients have used them to change their lives! Jill has the education and life experience to help you rebuild your life, whatever the circumstances… and move from surviving to thriving!
Through her talks, events, programs, and podcast "Life After: From Surviving to Thriving", Jill provides her clients with a unique mix of thoughtful guidance and sincere care. She lives in a small town in Washington with her son and is committed to co-create a world with more hope, connection, and healing for us all.
CONNECT & CONTACT
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@locatecoaching
IG: https://www.instagram.com/locatecoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwEImRGJXX4hrdS_NM3wWXg
Email: [email protected]
View all episodes
By Jill McKnightIn this episode, we're breaking down what's really happening in your body during stress and trauma — and why your reactions make sense. From fight and flight to freeze, fawn, and even flop, you'll learn how your nervous system automatically responds to perceived danger — and why those responses are not weaknesses, but survival mechanisms designed to protect you.
We'll talk about what happens when you've been stuck in survival mode for too long — especially in toxic or high-stress relationships — and how that impacts your ability to think clearly, plan, and feel grounded. You'll also walk away with practical, research-backed tools to regulate your nervous system in the moment, including breathing techniques, grounding exercises, vagus nerve stimulation, and longer-term rewiring strategies.
If you've ever wondered why you reacted the way you did… or carried shame for not "handling it differently"… this episode will help you understand your body, calm your system, and move one step closer to thriving. You survived for a reason — and now you get to learn how to thrive.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Quick ways to settle your nervous system:
- Breathing: regulate your breathing through control breaths. Boxed breathing or 4-7-8 can work. Consciously lowers your heart rate.
- Grounding techniques: try the 5-4-3-2-1 method – 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. This moves you out of a panic or freeze state.
- Vagus nerve: for an immediate shift – splash cold water on your face, gargle water, or hum – they all trigger your calming response.
- Butterfly hug: cross your arms over your chest and alternately tap your shoulders. This will help you to feel more secure and grounded.
BEST MOMENTS
Your body will never forget how someone made your nervous system feel. –Unknown
The nervous system holds the key to the body's incredible potential to heal itself. –Jay Holder
A healthy nervous system is not always calm. It is flexible and resilient. –Jessica Maguire
If you want to improve the world, start by making people feel safer. –Stephen Porges
VALUABLE RESOURCES
If you're struggling in a relationship and wondering if it might be controlling, you're not alone. Download my free guide at locatecoaching.com/freegift to help you find clarity and confidence.
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Check out other episodes of Life After: From Surviving to Thriving:
https://sites.libsyn.com/460833/site
ABOUT THE HOST
Jill McKnight is a mindset coach and speaker as well as an Erickson Professional Certified Coach. She specializes in supporting those who are rebuilding their lives and finding their most aligned path forward.
Jill knows that the tips and tricks in each episode work – because she's used them to change her life and her clients have used them to change their lives! Jill has the education and life experience to help you rebuild your life, whatever the circumstances… and move from surviving to thriving!
Through her talks, events, programs, and podcast "Life After: From Surviving to Thriving", Jill provides her clients with a unique mix of thoughtful guidance and sincere care. She lives in a small town in Washington with her son and is committed to co-create a world with more hope, connection, and healing for us all.
CONNECT & CONTACT
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@locatecoaching
IG: https://www.instagram.com/locatecoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwEImRGJXX4hrdS_NM3wWXg
Email: [email protected]