Emotional Healing & the Nervous System
The Missing Link to Wellbeing
There is an invisible thread that connects how we feel, how we heal, and how we interpret the world. It runs through our nervous system, shaping not just our emotional responses but our physical health.
For many of us, the emotions we feel—often shaped by childhood, past experiences, and even cultural norms—are deeply imprinted in our nervous system which is expressed in the body. And yet, so much of our modern understanding of health separates the mind from the body, treating emotions as something we can simply think our way through.
But emotions are not just thoughts in the mind—they are experiences in the body.
In both Ayurveda and modern neuroscience, we see that our nervous system plays a central role in how we hold onto past experiences, how we interpret our present reality, and even how we regulate our immune system, digestion, and sleep. When our nervous system is dysregulated, the entire body follows.
So how do we shift from a state of emotional reactivity or stress to a state of healing? The answer lies in creating safety within the nervous system.
The Body Remembers: How the Nervous System Stores Trauma
We’ve all experienced moments that left an imprint—times of uncertainty, fear, or even deep loss. Some events are overtly traumatic, while others are subtle, like growing up in an environment where emotions weren’t fully seen or expressed.
Trauma is often defined as an overwhelming experience that exceeds our capacity to cope in the moment. But it’s not just the event itself—it’s how the nervous system interprets it. This interpretation is based on our past experiences and how fully we have processed them.
Our autonomic nervous system (which functions automatically, outside of conscious control) is constantly scanning our environment to determine whether we are safe or in danger. This is where we see the interplay between Ayurveda and modern behavioral science.
When we interpret our environment as safe, our nervous system is balanced. This is the state of healing, digestion, deep sleep, and connection. The parasympathetic tone allows us to feel calm and at peace, while having the energy to engage in life, play, and have healthy relationships.
When we interpret the world as threatening or unsafe, whether from external stress, unresolved trauma, or even internalized fears, our sympathetic nervous system kicks into overdrive. This results in a state of fight, flight, and eventually freeze as we shutdown to preserve energy and survive.
When this survival mode becomes chronic, it can lead to:
✔ Inflammation & chronic pain
✔ Fatigue & brain fog
✔ Digestive imbalances (bloating, sluggish digestion, irritable bowel)
✔ Sleep disturbances
✔ Anxiety, emotional numbness, or difficulty connecting with others
In Ayurveda, we learn that most physical ailments stem from emotional imbalances in the mind. When the mind is not calm and clear, the signals to the body are to be ready for threats. This keeps the nervous system on high alert, ready to protect us. However, the longer we stay in a state of nervous system dysregulation, the more our body shifts toward imbalance and disease.
This is why healing isn’t just about diet or lifestyle changes. It’s about regulating the nervous system and learning how to process emotions in a way that supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
What Happens When We Don’t Process Emotions?
In my work with patients, I often see how unprocessed emotions manifest in the body. Many chronic conditions—autoimmune issues, gut disorders, even chronic pain—can be traced back to long-term nervous system dysregulation.
Ayurveda has always understood this. One of its core teachings is that our emotions must be digested just like our food. When emotions are left unprocessed, they build up like toxins (ama), disrupting our health.
Here’s how this plays out in the nervous system:
Fight or Flight (Sympathetic Overdrive)
The body and mind stay on high alert.
Cortisol and adrenaline levels stay elevated.
We feel wired, anxious, or irritable.
Sleep is disrupted, digestion slows, and inflammation rises, resulting in chronic disease, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders.
Freeze (Nervous System Shutdown)
The body moves from stress to shutdown/collapse as a protective mechanism
Fatigue, brain fog, and emotional numbness set in as cortisol goes down.
We may feel disconnected or unmotivated as oxytocin levels drop.
The body tries to conserve energy; this often looks like depression, chronic fatigue, or chronic pain with any physical activity.
If this sounds familiar, know that it’s not just in your head—it’s in your nervous system.
The good news? We can rewire it.
Ayurvedic Practices for Emotional Resilience & Nervous System Healing
Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation
Bhramari (Humming Breath): Modulates the nervous system via the vagus nerve branches in the head and throat and signals safety to the body and mind.
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which in turn balances the two branches of the nervous system.
Self-Massage (Abhyanga) for Safety & Connection
Applying warm sesame or almond oil to the body daily helps calm the nervous system and create a sense of healing and grounding while massage releases ‘feel-good’ hormones like oxytocin and dopamine.
Daily Rhythms (Dinacharya) for Stability
A predictable routine (waking, eating, and sleeping at consistent times) creates regularity and consistency which is stabilizing for the nervous system and results in improved mood, metabolism, and digestion.
Movement & Somatic (Body) Awareness for Emotional Release
Gentle yoga, rhythmic movement (like rocking), and even simple facial relaxation exercises can balance the nervous system and help release stored emotions from the body.
Nourishing Foods for Emotional Balance
Warm, cooked meals with grounding spices (turmeric, cumin, fennel) support digestion and stabilize the gut-brain connection.
Avoiding excessive raw, cold, or processed foods, which can increase nervous system reactivity.
Healing Is About Feeling Safe in Your Own Body
Healing isn’t just about managing stress—it’s about teaching the nervous system that it is safe.
The goal is not to eliminate stress (which is impossible) but to build resilience so that we can move through life’s challenges without becoming stuck in a cycle of survival mode.
For anyone feeling emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected, the first step isn’t about thinking differently—it’s about creating a sense of safety within the body.
Healing happens in small, intentional moments. The breath you take before responding. The warm meal that soothes your digestion. The moment of stillness before bed.
Each time you choose regulation over reactivity, you are rewiring your nervous system for healing.
You don’t have to force healing. Health is your true nature. Your job is to create the conditions for it to happen.
An Invitation to Go Deeper
I am more inspired than ever to continue this journey with you. If these insights resonate with you, I invite you to join the next Health Mastery Mentorship, where we will take an even deeper dive into Ayurveda’s core pillars of wellness—Nutrition, Sleep, Movement, and Emotional Wellbeing.
Mentorship Dates: April 30 – May 21
Live Sessions: Wednesdays at 10 AM PT
Last day to enroll is Monday, April 7, 2025
This small-group mentorship is designed to be a supportive and immersive learning experience, allowing you to apply these teachings in a way that creates lasting change.