Stress is not a feeling you “have”
It is a biological condition that affects the entire body – from the nervous system and hormones to sleep, digestion and energy.
When stress is short-lived, it is helpful. It makes you sharper, more focused, and more capable of action. But when stress persists over time, the body begins to prioritize survival over recovery and balance . Not because something is wrong – but because the system is trying to protect you.
When the body goes on alert
Think about what a busy week might feel like:
The heart beats a little faster
Sleep rhythm is disrupted
Thoughts are running high.
Stomach or energy feels “out of sync”
This is not a sign of weakness.
It is the body’s intelligent way of mobilizing resources to cope with what is happening right now.
The problem arises when the alert is never really turned off.
When stress becomes chronic, the body adapts to survival.
That’s when recovery stops working – not because you’re doing something wrong,
but because the system is no longer receiving the correct signals.
The role of the nervous system in stress
All stress is regulated in the nervous system. This is where the body decides whether it is in safety or danger .
When the nervous system perceives that the threat remains – even if it is “just” demands, pace or responsibility – the body continues to stay on guard. Recovery is postponed. Regulation is deprioritized.
It may appear as:
Difficulty unwinding, despite fatigue
Restless or shallow sleep
Tensions in the body
Fluctuating energy or concentration
Not because the body is broken – but because it still protects.
Symptoms are signals, not enemies
At Neokliniken we see symptoms as information .
They tell us something about how the nervous system is regulating right now.
When the body is given the right conditions – safety, understanding and support – it can begin to release old patterns. Regulation does not occur through pressure, but through calm.
An example many recognize:
After a period of deadlines or high workload, you wake up in the middle of the night with thoughts racing. The body keeps you awake to be ready. It does its job. But with the right signals of reassurance, the system can gradually return to rest.
Change begins with security
For real change to occur, the nervous system needs to feel safe enough to let go.
That’s why we never work against the body – but with it .
Through analysis and understanding, we can gradually support the body back towards balance, without forcing, pressuring or over-controlling. When the nervous system receives the right signals, space is created for recovery, focus and stable energy.
Interesting review of the body and mind in a calm environment. The dizziness has improved significantly but is not completely gone. I have had a lot of pain in my right foot that required painkillers almost daily, but it has improved a lot. ... Sleep problems have decreased. I also experience inner peace in my work as I have had clarity of thought and the power to act in emergency situations. Am so grateful ❤️
Karin Nelson
