How Does a Regulated Nervous System Look & Feel?
We talk a lot about dysregulation—anxiety, overwhelm, shutdown—but what does a regulated nervous system actually look and feel like? In this post, we’ll explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of nervous system regulation, so you can begin to recognize what safety, presence, and balance feel like in your own body.
Signs of a Regulated Nervous System
Felt Sense: In a regulated state, your body feels calm and at ease. You experience relaxed muscles, steady and deep breathing, and a clear awareness of your sensations and emotions. There’s a sense of vitality in your inner and outer world, where energy flows naturally, and you feel connected to your physical self in a positive way. Think about how you feel after an amazing massage, an awesome workout, or a relaxing yoga class.
Sense of Self: With a regulated nervous system, your sense of self becomes integrated and strong. You have the ability to acknowledge and embrace the different parts of your personality (yes, even the ones that you’re working on), leading to healthy self-esteem and confidence in your abilities, intuition, and decisions. You’re resilient, able to handle stress without losing your sense of who you are.
In Relationship to Others: A regulated nervous system fosters healthy, connected relationships. You feel safe in close relationships, able to be vulnerable and share openly. You engage with others from a grounded place, able to truly listen, receive constructive feedback with gratitude, express yourself clearly, and set healthy boundaries with kindness and respect for all involved. You maintain autonomy while enjoying meaningful connections, without overly relying on others for emotional support.
Perception of the World: When your nervous system is regulated, the world feels like a safer place. You can face challenges with confidence, maintaining an optimistic outlook and believing in positive possibilities and outcomes. Trust becomes easier—trust in others, trust in life’s capacity to offer good experiences, and trust in your ability to navigate whatever comes your way.
A regulated nervous system doesn’t mean you never get triggered—it means you recover more quickly, stay present more often, and meet life with greater resilience and self-trust.
Based in Pasadena, I offer nervous system regulation therapy for clients across California, combining somatic and integrative approaches to help high-achievers overcome anxiety, burnout, and emotional disconnection. As a registered associate marriage & family therapist (AMFT #149677), I specialize in breaking the trauma loop through personalized, trauma-informed care.
