Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

300 — Why Your Nervous System Feels Broken and How to Reset It Without the Woo-Woo

Mar 20, 2026
Explains why chronic stress can keep your nervous system stuck in survival mode and why it is not actually “broken.” Debunks one-time magical fixes and highlights the need for regular practice. Shares five science-backed strategies like the “smell the pizza” breathing method, movement to metabolize stress hormones, mindfulness grounding, and intentionally slowing actions to signal safety.
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ANECDOTE

Amy's Personal Grief And Professional Growth

  • Amy Morin shares grieving her husband's death while continuing to work and build a career.
  • She credits strategies from The Mental Strength Playbook for helping her survive and eventually create a fulfilling career.
INSIGHT

Why Your Nervous System Feels Like It’s Stuck

  • Your autonomic nervous system balances sympathetic (gas) and parasympathetic (brake) responses.
  • Chronic modern stress keeps the sympathetic engaged, causing burnout, anxiety, and impaired recovery due to less rest-and-digest time.
INSIGHT

Dysregulated Is Not Broken

  • Feeling chronically on edge does not mean your nervous system is broken or needs a magical one-time fix.
  • Amy warns against social media claims of instant resets and explains dysregulation is being stuck in survival mode from ongoing stressors.
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