Why Do I Feel on Edge Even When Nothing is Wrong?

Your nervous system is constantly asking, 'Am I safe?' When the answer is yes, you can think clearly, connect with others, and respond flexibly. When it senses danger—whether it's happening now or reminds you of something from the past—it automatically shifts into survival mode. That might look like anxiety, anger, wanting to escape, shutting down, or feeling numb. These aren't character flaws; they're protective responses. 

Think of your nervous system as a ladder with three “zones.”  At the top of the ladder is the Ventral Vagal zone where we feel safe enough, connected, and present in the moment and our world feels safe and secure.  The middle zone of the autonomic nervous system is the Sympathetic branch which mobilizes us to be ready for potential danger and perceived threat, best known as fight-or-flight response. The world feels dangerous or overstimulating.  At the bottom of the ladder is our Dorsal Vagal zone which feels like collapse or shut down.  This is an effort to be safe enough by conserving energy and a sense of hopelessness may take over.  The world feels unsafe and we feel disconnected from both our world and our own body.  

At Resolve Counseling Group in Murfreesboro we can help you learn to navigate your nervous system through Polyvagal regulation tools including mindfulness, breathing, and increased awareness and understanding of somatic clues your body is sending.  This teaches your nervous system that it doesn’t have to stay in survival mode all the time and that it is safe to return to connection.  We approach this care from a lens of “what has happened in your story and how did your nervous system adapt?”   Once we understand these automatic responses and that we can have choice in how we respond in the present moment, it is a game changer.  We would love a chance to work with you so you can get back to enjoying life and get out of survival mode!  Call us today at 615.900.4008 to get started.