7 Ways to Tell Your Nervous System Is in Overdrive

Some days, you might feel tired yet restless, wired but slow. You could have had caffeine, or perhaps you haven’t. You find yourself checking your calendar, re-evaluating your tone, half-forgetting lunch, and wondering - why does everything seem just a bit too loud?

Often, it’s your nervous system communicating before your mind can put it into words. Many of us have learned to ignore our bodies' early warning signs. We push through discomfort, adapt, and become efficient. However, when our bodies begin to overlook subtle cues and default to a sense of urgency, it’s not just a sign of stress -- it indicates that the nervous system is entering a survival mode, which can be difficult to recognize if it has been your norm for a long time.

Here are seven patterns to observe:

1. You’re not actually hungry, but you keep reaching for food anyway

This isn’t just about willpower or cravings; it’s about finding something grounding when the body feels unsteady. Chewing, swallowing, and tasting provide the brain with signals of safety and moments of pause. This is especially relevant if your day lacks opportunities to slow down.

2. Background noise starts to feel unbearable

What once felt like background noise now feels overwhelming. The sound of a partner opening a drawer, your neighbor’s music, or the ping of a group chat -- these everyday noises can suddenly seem intrusive. It’s not because you’re being dramatic; it’s because your sensory thresholds are heightened. When the nervous system is on high alert, even minor stimuli can be perceived as potential threats.

3. You pause mid-sentence, not because you lost your thought, but because your body went blank for a second

This feeling can be subtle. You might appear fine on the outside during a conversation, but inside, you sense your train of thought slipping away. This isn’t simply forgetfulness; it’s a temporary disconnect. Your body may be experiencing a state of freeze. This is especially common after extended periods of tension, where “doing” has been your only coping mechanism.

4. Deep sleep feels out of reach, even when you’re exhausted

Falling asleep isn’t always the problem; staying asleep often is. You may find yourself waking up at 2:00 or 3:00 am, feeling alert but unsure why. Your body isn’t malfunctioning; it’s simply interpreting internal signals as disruptions. Perhaps your blood sugar has dipped, your cortisol levels have risen, or you never fully transitioned away from the stress of the day. A nervous system that is in overdrive frequently doesn’t realize it is safe enough to relax.

5. You start questioning your capacity to handle things you used to manage with ease

It's not that the tasks themselves have changed; rather, your baseline has shifted. The email you’ve drafted three times, the laundry that seems oddly overwhelming, and the RSVP you haven't replied to -- logically, you know they aren't major issues. However, your system perceives them as threats.

6. Your shoulders stay lifted, even when you think you’re relaxed

Take a moment to check in with your body. Are your shoulders elevated more than they should be? Are your teeth clenching together without your awareness? This ongoing state of alertness is a sign of sympathetic dominance. It’s a background vigilance that your body has developed over time. This pattern of tension can become exhausting, as it’s not something you actively choose; rather, it’s a habit that your body has practiced for longer than you may realize.

7. You dread stillness, even though you crave rest

Many people experience a paradox that often goes unacknowledged. You desire rest, ease, and relaxation, but when you attempt to slow down, something inside you accelerates. Your thoughts become louder, and tasks seem more urgent. Instead of feeling restorative, stillness can feel unsettling. This reaction suggests a nervous system that hasn't yet learned to feel safe at rest. This awareness can serve as a starting point for healing, not a reason for self-judgment.

None of these signals, on their own, indicates that something is wrong. They are simply messages from the body. Like many signals, they often appear quietly at first until you acknowledge them. You might ask yourself, “Is my system in protection mode more often than I realize?”

There is no perfect solution, but there is the opportunity for inquiry and attunement. With this comes the space to observe when your body rushes, braces, or numbs, as well as the space to explore what can help alleviate that feeling of isolation.

Underneath the tendency to be in overdrive often lies a reasonable response to past or present stress. The more we acknowledge these feelings without rushing to fix them, the more capacity we build to choose a different reaction.

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