Rest Isn’t Weakness: Nervous System Regulation as the Key to Thriving in January

Inside Nat’s Notebook: Real Reflections for Real Change

Hey you

January has a vibe. You feel it, right?

The energy shifts after the holidays, and suddenly we’re catapulted into a month demanding action. But instead of feeling clear and ready, many of us are tired, overwhelmed, and stuck in a wired-but-tired state.

What if I told you navigating January’s challenges isn’t about pushing harder or hustling more? There’s another way.

My Story: When Rest Wasn’t on My List, but Hustle Was

Before I learned my lesson, I believed rest could wait. There was always another project, another deadline that felt more urgent. Holidays? Postponed. Catch-ups with friends? Cancelled. Rest? Never even made the list.

I told myself, I’ll rest later. But later never came.

The reward for this lifestyle? A snarky inner voice—my Frenemy—that constantly whispered, “You’re not doing enough.” My body felt like a coiled spring: tense, aching, and drained. Sleep became a distant dream. Maybe you can identify with some of this?

Desperate, I turned to self-help books and affirmations, but instead of helping, they added more noise to my already frazzled mind. Then came the game-changer: nervous system regulation.

What Is Nervous System Regulation, and Why Does It Matter?

Your nervous system is the command centre of your body, shifting between two primary states:

🧡 Sympathetic Mode:

Your gas pedal. It powers your fight-or-flight response, which is great for short bursts of action. But when you live here, your body pays the price.

🧡 Parasympathetic Mode:

Your brake pedal, also known as rest-and-digest. This is where healing and recovery happen.

Modern life has a knack for keeping us stuck in overdrive. Deadlines, non-stop notifications, even mindless scrolling—all signal your body to stay on high alert.

The Weight of Small Stressors

It’s not just the big stressors that exhaust us—it’s the tiny, relentless ones:

🤯 The morning rush.

🤯 A snippy email from a colleague or client.

🤯 The traffic light that turns red just as you approach.

When you’re already operating with a sense of urgency, these minor stressors pile up, leaving you feeling like time is slipping through your fingers and the world is against you.

The result? Tight jaws, stiff shoulders, and restless nights where your mind spins with worries. That Frenemy voice pipes up again, urging you to do more, be better.

What Happens When You Shift Gears

When you activate your parasympathetic state, your body starts to repair itself. Your heart rate slows, digestion improves, and your mind clears. This isn’t just relaxation—it’s giving your system the reboot it desperately needs. Activating your parasympathetic state becomes a Personal Power Practice.

Winter: Nature’s Invitation to Rest and Reset

Look outside. Nature knows it’s time to pause. Animals hibernate. Plants conserve energy. Even the earth takes a breather. But for us? January often becomes a sprint to make up for December’s indulgences.

By ignoring the rhythm of the season, we burn out. But when we align with it by slowing down, resetting and realigning we set the stage for sustainable energy and clarity.

How to Train Your Nervous System (Without Hours of Spare Time)

Regulating your nervous system doesn’t mean hours of meditation or fancy equipment. It’s about small, simple practices:

🧡 Breathwork: Take a long, slow breath in, and an even longer exhale. Repeat a few times.

🧡 Grounding: Feel your feet on the floor, your breath in your belly, and your hands in your lap.

🧡 Gentle Movement: Roll your shoulders or stretch toward the sky for a minute or two.

🧡 Winter Rituals: Sip warm tea, light a candle, or journal by the fire. These tiny acts create connection and calm.

🧡 Vagus-Friendly Actions: Humming, gargling, or even sipping tea slowly can stimulate your vagus nerve and invite relaxation.

Take the Quiz: How’s Your Nervous System Holding Up?

Curious about where you stand? Answer these questions:

🧡 How often do you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day?

a) Rarely

b) Sometimes

c) Constantly

🧡 How do you typically respond to small irritations, like traffic jams or a delayed email response?

a) I take it in stride.

b) It annoys me, but I can move on.

c) It throws off my whole mood.

🧡 At night, how easy is it for you to fall asleep?

a) Very easy

b) Sometimes difficult

c) Almost impossible—my mind won’t stop racing.

🧡 Do you often wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day?

a) Yes, most mornings

b) Sometimes, but not consistently

c) Rarely, if ever

🧡 How often do you notice physical tension in your body, like a tight jaw or stiff shoulders?

a) Rarely

b) Occasionally

c) Frequently—it’s constant

🧡 When you’re faced with a tough task or decision, how does your mind feel?

a) Clear and focused

b) A bit scattered, but manageable

c) Overwhelmed and paralyzed

🧡 How often do you intentionally take time to unwind or connect with calming practices?

a) Daily

b) A few times a week

c) Rarely—I’m too busy

🧡🧡 Results:

Mostly A’s: Nice work! You’re doing a great job of maintaining balance. Keep up your small daily practices to sustain this.

Mostly B’s: You’re managing, but there’s room to improve. Consider integrating more intentional nervous system care into your routine.

Mostly C’s: Stress Level Overload—time to hit reset! Let’s talk about how you can start making changes to protect your health and well-being.

If these questions brought up anything for you, or you’re wondering where to start, know that you’re not alone. I’m here if you need to talk—just reach out.

Why This Matters

When you regulate your nervous system, you’re not just taking a break—you’re giving yourself the tools to show up with ease and clarity. Imagine waking up refreshed, tackling the day without feeling frazzled, and being present for the moments that matter.

This isn’t a fantasy. It’s what happens when nervous system care becomes your secret weapon.

#RebelMoment

This week, claim 5 minutes for a Personal Power Practice.

Choose one simple thing:

🧡 A deep breathing exercise

🧡 A mindful stretch

🧡 A few slow sips of tea.

Let this small, intentional act remind you that power doesn’t come from pushing—it comes from pausing.

You are your greatest asset. This January, make nervous system regulation your priority—not just for rest, but for real transformation.

You’ve got this. And trust me, your nervous system will thank you.

The real rebellion? Choosing to reset, listen, be present.

You’ve got this.

Let burnout be your guide to Reset Realign + Rise.

Life feels lighter when your nervous system is your ally.

Stay Blessed!

Nat x

🧡 Your Burnout Bestie 🧡

Ready to Break Free from the Cycle of Overdoing + find your FLOW?

On The Mat with Nat isn’t your typical yoga class. Forget sun salutations and standard sequences—that’s not how we do yoga here. These practices reset your nervous system so you can focus, feel clear, and move through the week like the superstar you are!

Ready to ditch the tight shoulders, busy mind, and endless doing? Jump In

Hungry for more than just an hour’s session?

The Seasonal Slumber Party is your secret weapon to hit reset before you hit the wall. It’s where awesome people like you stop hustling and rediscover what it feels like to drop into that flow state. Sign Up Here

Sick and tired of the grind? Lost that spark and not even sure why?

It’s time to talk. I’ve been there, and I got you! Let’s Chat

Not sure and want to dip your toe in first? I get it.

Subscribe to Nat’s Natterings for weekly reminders to step off the hamster wheel and start living from a place of calm inner power. Get on the List

About Nat

Nat Creasy, aka Your Burnout Bestie, doesn’t sugarcoat the hustle—she calls it out for what it is: an exhausting lie that’s making us all sick. As a Nervous System Mentor, Nat shows people how to break free from the cycle of exhaustion and overthinking, helping them operate from a place of power, flow, and clarity — meditation in motion.

She gets it. After 18 months knocked flat by burnout, Nat learned the hard way that constant striving is a trap. Now, she’s all about flow—teaching people that the real win isn’t about doing more; it’s about learning how to ride the waves of life with ease, in flow. Meditation In Motion. It’s about listening to your body, resetting your nervous system, and coming at life from a place of easeful power that fuels lasting success.

Tired of running on empty? It’s time to Reset Realign + Rise