How Did We Get Here? The Truth Behind Nervous System Dysfunction
Paige Elizabeth
Founder and Coach
When people talk about nervous system dysfunction, they often assume it comes from one major trauma, one burnout, or one crisis that tipped the scales.
But in reality, dysfunction builds slowly — through a lifetime of experiences that were never fully unpacked.
The Body’s Buffer System: Your HPA Axis
At first, your body is resilient.
Your HPA axis (the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal system that manages your stress response) steps in and keeps you balanced. You take a hit, and you recover. That’s what the buffer is for.
But here’s the catch:
Every unresolved stressor — every betrayal, every trauma, every sleepless night, every time you swallowed your truth — adds weight to the system.
And over time, the buffer gets thinner. The HPA axis can no longer absorb the impact.
The Symptoms of a Nervous System That Can’t Reset
That’s when symptoms show up:
- Anxiety that doesn’t fade when the moment is over
- Fatigue that lingers no matter how much sleep you get
- Burnout that no vacation can touch
It’s not weakness. It’s not “just aging.” It’s a body that has been holding too much for too long.
Why Nervous System Work Is Essential
This is why nervous system work isn’t optional if you want long-term health — it’s essential.
It’s not about avoiding stress (you can’t). It’s about unpacking and unlearning as you go, so you don’t drag decades of static into today.
A resilient nervous system isn’t one that never gets stressed.
It’s one that can take the hit, reset, and return to equilibrium.
That only happens if we make it a practice to process and release, not just power through.
Final Thoughts: Rebuilding Your Resilience
The buffer won’t hold forever.
But you can rebuild resilience — if you start tending to your nervous system now.
Your health, your energy, and your future self depend on it.