Burnout, Stress, and Sensory Overwhelm: A Nervous System Perspective

You might look like you’re holding it all together, but your body tells a different story.
Your shoulders are tense, your jaw is tight, your thoughts won’t stop spinning, and no matter how many deep breaths you take, it feels like your nervous system is stuck in overdrive.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not “too sensitive” or “just stressed out.” You may be experiencing nervous system dysregulation and that plays a big role in chronic stress, burnout, and even how you process sensory input as an adult.

In this blog, we’re unpacking what’s really going on under the surface and how nervous system-focused occupational therapy strategies (like the Safe & Sound Protocol and my Nervous System Reset) can help you come back to calm.

Understanding Burnout Through a Nervous System Lens

Burnout isn’t just emotional exhaustion. It’s a physiological state, your body stuck in survival mode for too long. When your nervous system senses an ongoing threat (even subtle ones like noise, chaos, or emotional tension), it flips into fight, flight, or freeze.

This creates symptoms like:

• Constant hyper-vigilance or anxiety

• Chronic fatigue or emotional numbness

• Heightened sensitivity to sounds, textures, or even light

• Trouble sleeping or relaxing, even when things are “quiet”
  

Sound familiar? That’s your nervous system trying to protect you, even when the danger has passed.

The Overlooked Piece: Sensory Overwhelm

We often think of sensory overload as something only kids experience, but the truth is, adults get overwhelmed too.

Think about it:
You’re managing noise, multitasking, emotional demands, bright lights, constant notifications, and more, all while trying to stay calm for your child.

If your system isn’t regulated, those sensory inputs feel like too much, leading to shutdowns, irritability, or feeling like you just want to escape.

This is especially true for neurodivergent adults, parents of neurodivergent kids, or anyone who’s experienced trauma or chronic stress.

Why You Can’t “Mindset” Your Way Out of It

You’ve probably tried the mindset tricks:

“I just need to be more patient.”
“I should be grateful, not stressed.”
“Other people have it worse.”

But here’s the thing: you can’t think your way out of nervous system dysregulation.

When your body believes it’s unsafe, no amount of positive thinking will convince it otherwise. You need to speak to your nervous system in a language it understands, safety, rhythm, connection, and regulation.

How OT Strategies Can Help You Regulate

As an occupational therapist and parent coach, I approach burnout and overwhelm differently.

Instead of just teaching you coping skills, I help you retrain your nervous system, so calm becomes your default, not something you have to constantly fight for.

Here are some of the strategies we might use:

The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)

This evidence-based auditory intervention uses specially filtered music to shift your nervous system out of fight-or-flight and into a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state.

It’s gentle, accessible, and works by improving your sense of safety at a physiological level. Many clients report feeling calmer, more grounded, and less reactive after just a few sessions.

The Nervous System Reset

This is my signature experience, a guided journey that helps your body move out of survival mode using simple, somatic tools.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize your nervous system state in real-time

• Use grounding tools to re-regulate in moments of stress

• Gently shift your internal cues from “danger” to “safe”

• Build long-term resilience so you’re less likely to spiral into burnout again
  

This isn’t another self-care checklist. It’s a full-body approach to actually feeling safe, so you can function, connect, and enjoy life again.

This Work Isn’t Just for Kids

Many people associate OT with children, but nervous system support is for parents too.

Especially if you're raising a neurodivergent child, your own regulation is key. You can’t co-regulate with a child if your system is constantly on high alert.

By taking care of your nervous system, you:

• Reduce your own reactivity

• Improve your ability to respond calmly in tough moments

• Model emotional regulation for your child

• Build the bandwidth to actually enjoy parenting again
  
  

What You’re Feeling Is Valid and Treatable

Burnout and sensory overwhelm aren’t just about being “too busy.” They’re messages from your nervous system saying:

“I need support. I need safety. I need something to change.”

And the good news? That change is possible.

With the right tools and guidance, you can shift out of survival mode and start living from a place of steadiness, safety, and confidence.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If this blog resonated with you, here are two ways to start:

Try the Nervous System Reset + Safe & Sound Experience
Get personalized support and gentle tools to help you regulate from the inside out. Book a discovery call today. 

Read What a 1:1 Coaching Session Looks Like
Peek behind the scenes at how I help moms like you reduce meltdowns, increase calm, and create realistic strategies for their family.

You deserve to feel calm, capable, and safe in your own body.
Let’s make that your new normal.