A nervous system primed for survival doesn’t just affect your mood or energy levels—it impacts your entire body. To keep you “ready for action,” the body redirects resources to systems that best support survival, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This means some systems go into overdrive, while others slow down to conserve energy.

For example:

Overactive Systems: The cardiovascular system often works harder, increasing heart rate and blood pressure to prepare for potential threats. The respiratory system also speeds up, preparing the body to either fight or flee.

Underactive Systems: Other systems, like digestion and immune function, can slow down to redirect energy. This can lead to symptoms like poor digestion, low immunity, and even hormonal imbalances over time.

This imbalance is sustainable for short-term stress, but when it becomes a long-term pattern, it can leave you feeling burned out, exhausted, anxious, and constantly fighting symptoms on multiple fronts.