Stress doesn’t always end when the situation does. Even after pressure eases, many people continue to feel restless, alert, fatigued, or unable to fully relax. This happens because the nervous system adapts to prolonged stress by staying in a heightened state of readiness. Long after the trigger is gone, internal signals like hormone fluctuations, inflammation, and disrupted sleep patterns can keep the body stuck in on mode.

Why The Stress Response Doesn’t Switch Off Immediately

Having stressful situations

The stress response, or fight-or-flight system, does not switch off immediately because it is designed to ensure survival against immediate physical danger, not to handle the constant, low-level pressures of modern life. Once triggered, the body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that take time to metabolize and remove from the bloodstream.

Hormonal Lag:

• Adrenaline provides an instant, short-lived burst of energy.
• Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, has a much longer half-life. It keeps the body on high alert, increases blood sugar, and suppresses non -essential functions long after the initial stressor has passed.

What The Nervous System Needs To Return To Baseline

Stretching and doing yoga

The Physiological Sigh: Two quick inhales through the nose, followed by a long, slow exhale through the mouth.
Long Exhale Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 or 8 seconds.
4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8.

Physical and Somatic Movement

Rhythmic Movement: Walking, dancing, or, for some, light running.
Somatic Shaking: Gently shaking the body to release built-up tension.
Yoga and Stretching: Gentle,, restorative poses that release tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw.

Returning to baseline does not mean being in a state of constant, high-energy happiness. It is a state where the body is not bracing, muscles are relaxed, breathing is steady, and you feel, rather than just think, that you are safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the body to recover from stress?
Some people may start to feel better in a few weeks, while others may need months or longer to recover fully.

What triggers an overactive nervous system?
Chronic stress or anxiety can cause the body's fight or flight response to become constant leading to an overactive nervous system.

Can the nervous system repair itself?
Nerve cells can regenerate and grow back at a rate of about an inch a month, but recovery is typically incomplete and slow. This is a complete nerve injury, where the nerve sheath and underlying neurons are severed.