“How to Reboot Your Nervous System in 21 Days without burn out...

Understanding My Nervous System

I used to think my body just responded to stress—but the truth is, my nervous system has layers as intricate as an onion. Understanding these layers helped me see why anxiety spiraled into full-body exhaustion, hormone glitches, and emotional ups and downs.

What I also didn't realise, is that there are layers to our Nervous System that focuses on different responses to external events.

Check out the 3 layers to the human nervous system.

2. What Happens When Anxiety and Stress Overload My System

I have a long history in the corporate world, as a facilitator, learning and business consultant. My week consisted of mostly 6 working days, and at times with 10 - 12 hour days. The pace and demand was immense and I thought this was normal. I did, however, have a daily routine of using "powdered mushrooms" like Ashwagandha, Astragalus and others to strengthen and fortify my immunity and support my nervous system, due to overload. This has been a very important ritual for many years and has definitely kept my system at a higher base level.

When I was caught in daily anxiety and stress levels, always rushing, overthinking [one of my traits] I unknowingly overloaded all three systems:

3. The Impact on Our Body & Hormones

When my nervous system broke, everything else followed:

HPA‑axis dysregulation : My hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis got stuck in overdrive from chronic stress. That led to erratic cortisol, DHEA, and adrenal hormone levels—what many call “adrenal fatigue.” And the resulting weight gain.

Thyroid Issues : Elevated cortisol disrupted my thyroid function. I experienced mood swings, weight gain, and energy crashes. I ended up going to a Homeopath to find supportive treatment for a hypo-active thyroid.

Blood Sugar Roller-Coaster : Stress hormones can spike blood sugar, creating insulin resistance. I felt wired then drained—increasing cravings and blood-sugar mood shifts.

Inflammation & Immunity : My immune system went on high alert. Inflammation rose, sleep suffered, and I became more prone to infections and inflammatory conditions

Recognise any of the above symptoms, or know someone who has these symptoms. If yes, then read on.....

4. Signs My Nervous System Was Overloaded

Eventually, I began noticing a pattern. If any of these ring true for you, your system needs attention:

1. Exhaustion despite sleeping - waking up tired, feeling lethargic

2. Racing mind or insomnia - a sign under chronic stress situations

3. Brain fog, indecision, memory slips - extremely common

4. Digestive distress: bloating, constipation, nausea

5. Chronic tension or soreness - very common

6. Mood swings, anxiety, irritability - one might recognise this in others as "highly strung"

7. Hormonal issues: PCOS, PMS, low libido

8. Sugar/salt cravings or energy crashes

9. Frequent colds or feeling hyper-alert

   
   

If you’ve ever said, “I’m always tired—even though I rest,” this could be your nervous system asking for help.

5. Actions You can take to Rebalance your Nervous System

I use a number of these approaches and still do.

A. CNS Care: Calm the Mind

1. Mindfulness & Breath work. Start with 10 minutes of daily mindfulness—just sitting quietly, watching thoughts, breathing. When your mind is panicked, use slow 4‑7‑8 breathing. You'll feel your amygdala softening.

2. Neuro-plasticity Practices. Journaling, solve puzzles, learn a new language: anything to shift your brain away from anxiety patterns. Small mental challenges helped rewire neural circuits.

3. Digital Detox: By removing phone notifications and weekday screen time after 8 pm, this helps to stop feeding your stress brain.

   
   

B. ANS Rebalance: Tame the Fight‑or‑Flight

1. Gentle Movement: I practice yoga, alternatives you could take up are tai chi, and nature walks. These are so healing for the parasympathetic state without ramping up cortisol.

2. Sleep Hygiene: Bedtime rituals became sacred: dim lights, no caffeine after 2 pm, black-out curtains. You will find having 7 - 8 hours deep, quality sleep will change your energy levels immensely. Try the Deep Sleep Spray or Sleep Tea blend, to assist with achieving a high quality, deep healing sleep.

   
   

C. ENS Healing: Soothe the Gut

1. Prebiotic & Probiotic Foods: For gut health focus on home‑fermented foods: sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha [now found at supermarkets]. They help rebalance your gut ecosystem or try the Gut Feelings Herbal Tea Blend.

   
   

2. Gut-Calming Foods: Bone broth, ginger tea, cooked vegetables, and glutamine-rich foods got added to my diet. Stick to protein rich foods and enjoy the sensation of a calm gut.
   

3. Stress Foods Reduction: Cut caffeine back. During my time as a facilitator, I would have an average of 6 - 8 cups of coffee throughout the day - ugh!!!]

4. Cut out sugar, processed snacks, energy drinks and high sugar drinks. These are proven to be addictive. They fuel stress and gut issues.

   
   

6. Simple remedies to support your - How to reboot your nervous system with herbal Allies That Strengthen all three layers of your Nervous System

I wove herbal remedies into my daily routine, many of which are available on Herbal Healing’s online store, targeting nervous system resilience:

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

An adaptogen I take daily. Studies show 300–600 mg reduces cortisol and improves sleep in stressed adults. [Coming soon]

2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

I sip my Relax Tea which has Lavender, Chamomile and Peppermint herbs as a tea blend in the evenings. A meta‑analysis concluded these herbs significantly reduce anxiety and depression without side effects 

3. Nervine Blends Herbal Teas – Skullcap, Chamomile, Passionflower, Valerian Root

Herbal Healing stocks nervine blends combining Skullcap and Passionflower, which are known to soothe nervous tension in the Sleep AB Tea.

Valerian root [a mild sedative, and naturally calming] is a potent herb found in Herbal Healing's Sleep Tea. A great blend that will noticeably calm your nervous system and offer a peaceful night’s sleep. A European agency reports Valerian safely relieves mild nervous tension and improves sleep. A simple and easy solutoin to support you in your thinking in how to reboot your nervous system

7. Here's a schedule that may support your Nervous System reset. A Sample Daily Routine

Here's a snapshot of a day's ritual:

8. What to Do If You're Nervous System Overloaded

If this post resonates, here’s your comprehensive action plan:

1. Learn your layer(s)

Which nervous system layer is your weak link—as I laid out above?

2. Track symptoms

Use a journal to note stress patterns—sleep, mood, gut, energy, cravings.

3. Implement daily support

• 5–10 min mindfulness

• Gentle movement

• Calm diet + restful routine

  
  

4. Incorporate adaptive herbs

• Ashwagandha twice daily

• Herbal Tea blends daily - Choose from Relax, Sleep AB [stronger relaxant tea], and / or Sleep Tea Valerian

• Nervine blend or valerian at bedtime or during high-stress days [as stated above]

5. Connect with professionals

Consider hormone testing (cortisol, DUTCH, thyroid), functional assessments, seek a herbalist for a consultation, or a Rongoā (Māori traditional healing) practitioner in NZ.

I trust this has been valuable and useful in your direction and approach to reset your Nervous system. And lastly been informative and educational in it's content.

Eloise Tzimas, Founder

Herbal Healing

www.herbalhealing.co.nz