2026 Issue #21

The Nervous System Reason You Can’t Relax

Hi Reader,

When I quit my corporate job for a boss-free life as a farmer… I didn’t quite realize I’d just be reporting directly to Mother Nature instead. 😄

And she’s kind of demanding this time of year.

The thing about farming is that your to-do list has to stay flexible.

If it rains or it's too windy, planting gets pushed.
If the sun comes out, everything suddenly needs to happen immediately.

So one minute I’m planting herbs in the garden and the next I’m pivoting to emails, client work, marketing, or whatever else suddenly became urgent.

And I’m at that point in the season where my to-do list can get a ton done…

…and still somehow feel unfinished.

Because for every one thing I cross off, three more things get added.

Which means my work is never really “done.”

And the other day, I realized something about myself because of it.

After hours of planting, I finally sat down on the front steps for what was supposed to be a quick little mental health break.

I was dirty.
Sore.
Tired.

And honestly? Wondering how I was going to get everything done.

Of course the dog immediately came and sat next to me because apparently I’m not allowed personal space. 😄

And while I was sitting there, I noticed a weed growing near the first step.

So I pulled it.

Then I saw another one.

And another one.

And before I knew it…

my “mental health break” had turned into a full-blown weeding session.

And that’s when it hit me:

👉 Why is sitting down so uncomfortable for some of us?

Why do we feel the need to constantly be doing something?

Why does resting sometimes feel… unproductive?

Because I know I’m not alone in this.

I see it in so many women.

We sit down to relax…
…and suddenly remember an email we forgot to send.

Or the laundry.

Or the thing we “should” be doing instead.

And if we do rest?

Sometimes guilt sneaks in right behind it.

Like we need to earn the right to slow down.

But here’s what I’ve learned both through nutrition and nervous system work:

When your body spends long periods of time in stress mode…

stillness can actually feel uncomfortable.

Not because you’re lazy.
Not because you’re doing anything wrong.

But because your nervous system has gotten used to motion.

To urgency.
To productivity.
To constantly scanning for the next thing.

That’s called sympathetic dominance and it shows up on a Mineral Test with Phosphorus too high compared to Calcium — basically your body staying in “go mode” for too long. Learn more about a mineral test.​

And when that becomes your normal…

slowing down can feel unfamiliar.

Even unsafe sometimes.

Which is kind of wild when you think about it.

Because rest is supposed to feel good.

And yet so many women struggle to fully receive it.

So if that’s you?

Here’s your reminder this week:

You do not have to earn rest.

You don’t need to finish every task first.

And your worth is not tied to how productive you were today.

Sometimes sitting on the steps with the dog is enough.

Even if you accidentally pull a few weeds while you’re there 😄

xo,

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