7 Signs Your Nervous System May Be Taxed

There’s a reason I almost didn’t publish this post.

Not because the information isn’t important but because I never want someone reading something online and jumping to conclusions about their health without context.

So let’s start here:

This is not a diagnosis.

What it is is an invitation to get curious about what your body might be trying to communicate especially if you’ve been feeling off, exhausted, or stuck in patterns that don’t seem to change no matter how hard you try. These are patterns I see often in my work with neurodivergent moms who are burned out, overwhelmed, and carrying far more than they were ever meant to.

1. You’re exhausted, but feel wired

You’re tired all day, but when it’s time to rest, your body doesn’t seem to power down. This can happen when your nervous system has been in a prolonged state of alert. Even sleep doesn’t feel restorative because your system never fully shifts into recovery mode.

2. Small things feel overwhelming

Decisions, noise, interruptions, or simple requests feel like too much. This isn’t a personal failing. It’s often a sign that your system is overstimulated and running low on capacity.

3. You’re more reactive than you want to be

Snapping, shutting down, feeling constantly on edge, or having a shorter fuse than usual can all show up when your nervous system hasn’t had space to regulate.

When you’re stuck in survival mode, your reactions make sense even if they don’t match who you want to be.

4. Your digestion feels unpredictable

Stress and nervous system strain don’t just live in your head they affect your gut too. Changes in appetite, digestion, food tolerance, or cravings can all be connected to how safe (or unsafe) your body feels.

5. You crave control or numbness

Over-restricting food, over-scrolling, checking out, or zoning out aren’t signs of weakness. They’re often coping strategies ways your body tries to find relief when it’s overwhelmed.

6. You can’t stick to routines

If routines never seem to stick, this isn’t a discipline problem. It’s often a capacity problem. When your nervous system is overloaded, even the best plans become unsustainable.

7. Rest makes you feel guilty

Many people associate rest with falling behind, being lazy, or not doing enough especially after years of pushing through. But guilt around rest is often a sign that your system has been in overdrive for far too long.

Context Always Matters

None of these signs mean anything on their own.

Your history matters.
Your environment matters.
Your responsibilities matter.

But if you’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms, haven’t gotten clear answers, and keep feeling like something important is being missed—there’s likely more going on than just a lack of willpower or motivation.

Where Support Comes In

This is the kind of work I do inside my 1:1 coaching.

We don’t chase quick fixes or pile on more pressure.

We look at the whole picture your nervous system, your capacity, your real life—and build support that actually fits.

Because consistency doesn’t come from pushing harder.

It comes from support.

If you want help making sense of your full picture, you’re welcome to book a Discovery Call or reach out directly.

You don’t need more discipline.
You need something that works with you not against you.

— Linnea