Simple Steps to Connect to Your Nervous System with Angela Johnson - Episode 39
While many factors influence how we feel and respond to life’s challenges, the nervous system is often an overlooked contributor to emotional well-being. At its core, the nervous system acts like an electrical grid running throughout the body, directly shaping how we feel, think, and move. When this system is stuck in overdrive—constantly alert and tense—it can hinder our ability to process emotions and foster lasting calm. But by learning how to understand and regulate the nervous system, we can tap into a deeper sense of peace, healing, and self-awareness.
In this conversation, Certified Adult Chair® Master Coach Angela Johnson, Open Hands Coaching, shares simple, effective steps to help you instantly reconnect with your body and bring your nervous system back to a state of calm and balance. From understanding the power of a single breath to easy practices you can use throughout the day, Angela’s knowledge and experience will inspire you to find pockets of peace in the chaos of life.
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This episode covers:
(10:08 - 14:24) Angela discusses the nervous system, explaining its structure and its three main states.
(17:00 - 18:14) Understand the significance of feeling emotions to heal and how stimulating the vagus nerve can help shift from fight or flight to a more regulated state.
(40:12 - 41:07) Learn how to feel safe in your body to process emotions.
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The Hidden Costs of Constant Fight or Flight
Living in a perpetual state of fight or flight can take a toll on emotional health. Everyday stressors—like social media, relentless news cycles, and modern demands—trigger this ancient survival response even when no physical threat is present. This can lead to reactive, rather than responsive, ways of handling life’s challenges. Over time, the body’s energy becomes drained, and a sense of disconnection sets in, making it harder to access a calm, centered state.
The Healing Power of Feeling
Central to emotional healing is the practice of actually feeling emotions, rather than suppressing them. Many people have learned to disconnect from their feelings, often out of self-protection or fear of what might surface. But when emotions remain unprocessed, they can manifest as anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms. Creating safe spaces to feel and express these emotions—whether alone or with supportive witnesses—can provide a profound release and reset for the nervous system.
This also ties into generational patterns: emotional suppression and trauma can be passed down, yet even simple, intuitive practices—like singing, humming, or mindful movement—can be powerful ways to reclaim a sense of calm.
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Practical Tools for Regulation and Renewal
Regulation is a skill, and like any skill, it starts with small, consistent steps. Practices like breathwork and gentle mindfulness can help stimulate the vagus nerve, bringing the body back into balance. These exercises create an internal sense of safety and help individuals shift from fight or flight to rest and digest—a shift that promotes emotional resilience and self-awareness.
Over time, these tools build a foundation for feeling more present and grounded in everyday life. For those who have experienced deeper trauma, working with trauma-informed professionals can offer additional support, helping to re-establish safety within the body.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the nervous system’s role in emotional regulation offers a powerful framework for healing and self-discovery. By reconnecting to the body’s signals and embracing simple practices for nervous system health, you can cultivate lasting calm and build the resilience needed to move through life with calm and balance. This work not only supports personal growth but also nurtures the health of relationships and communities, creating ripples of well-being that extend far beyond the individual.
Connect with Angela Johnson
For a more in-depth understanding about the nervous system, check out Angela’s FREE 21-Day Nervous System Reset program.
Email: angela@openhandscoaching.com
Website: www.openhandscoaching.com
Listen to These Episodes Next:
Episode 35 - Nervous System Regulation: Where Inner Connection Begins
Episode 29 - Feel It to Heal It: How Somatic Healing Techniques Improve Emotional Wellness with Karena Nuekirchner