In-the-Moment Nervous System Support Series: Part 1: Spiraling Resets

(Click on text to expand)

Many people assume spiraling looks dramatic from the outside.

But often it looks like lying awake replaying conversations, rereading the same text thread trying to figure out if you missed something, checking your phone over and over, or feeling completely unable to “turn your brain off.”

Sometimes it looks like becoming emotionally overwhelmed by something that, only a few hours earlier, felt manageable.

And sometimes the most frustrating part is that you know you are spiraling while it is happening, but still cannot seem to stop it.

This can feel especially confusing for people who are insightful, self-aware, or already familiar with coping skills. A lot of people assume that if they understand what is happening emotionally, they should be able to simply calm themselves down or think their way out of it. But spiraling is not just a thought problem.

A lot of the time, it’s a body state too.

When your system starts interpreting something as danger, uncertainty, or loss of control, the brain shifts toward protection and prediction. Attention narrows. The mind starts scanning for answers, reassurance, certainty, or escape routes. Thoughts speed up because the brain believes staying mentally activated might help prevent something painful from happening.

Unfortunately, this often creates the opposite effect. The more overwhelmed your system becomes, the harder it can feel to access perspective, flexibility, or even the coping skills that would normally help.

If this topic feels familiar or relevant in your life, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you. We encourage you to reach out by phone, email, or through the contact form on this site.