Life is busy. Always.
From one activity to the next…
one child needing something, then another…
there’s rarely a moment to just reset.
But making that time, even just 5–10 minutes a day, is so important if you want to support your nervous system well.
Your autonomic nervous system is the state your body lives in.
It controls your involuntary functions—and it can truly make or break your day.
Your sympathetic nervous system is essential.
It’s your fight-or-flight response—the system that gives you energy and helps you mobilize when needed.
But here’s the problem…
So many of us are living in that state all day long(thank you, hustle culture).
We’ve lost the ability to distinguish between:
running a mile
and unloading the dishwasher
Everything feels stressful.
And home no longer feels like a place of calm.
Listen—life will have stressors.
That’s unavoidable.
But what is in your control…
is learning how to regulate your system when things become chaotic
(which they inevitably will).
Here are simple ways to help shift your body back into a parasympathetic state—
the state that calms your body and allows it to conserve energy.
Because there’s no reason your heart rate should feel like Zone 2…
while cleaning your kitchen.
✨ Ways to Calm Your Nervous System
Gentle Movement
Lowers stress hormones, releases physical tension, and strengthens the mind-body connection.
Repetitive movement (like walking) signals safety to your brain—allowing your body to relax.
Start Your Day with Prayer
Sets a peaceful, intentional tone before the day begins.
Surrender your anxieties to God and step into a
“Jesus, I trust in You” mindset.
Trade worry for peace 🤍
Deep Breathing
Belly breathing supports your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
Why? Because it stimulates the vagus nerve—the longest nerve in your autonomic nervous system—responsible for regulating digestion, immune function, and more.
Cleaning your Space
Even 10 minutes a day can significantly reduce stress.
It improves mental clarity, lowers allergens, and prevents overwhelm from clutter.
And teaching your children that a clean space = a peaceful space is invaluable.
Light a Candle
This creates a real physiological shift.
Warm, flickering light signals to your brain that it’s safe to slow down.
Unlike harsh artificial lighting, it supports melatonin production instead of suppressing it.
Scents like lavender and sandalwood can also calm the brain’s emotional center and reduce stress responses.
Dim the Lights
Your home should feel restorative—not like a grocery store or hospital.
Warm lighting helps create a sense of calm, signaling your body that it’s time to unwind.
Setting aside even a few intentional moments each day can completely shift your nervous system.
Because a chronically stressed body…
leads to chronic inflammation, burnout, and exhaustion.
It might feel impossible to make the time—
but it’s not optional if you want to truly care for your health 🤍
- Audrey Wagner / writer for Salt and Light by Sami