If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’ve probably heard P!nk’s Try playing over videos where people share the wild ways their nervous system completely overreacts to everyday situations.
From "Unfortunately my nervous system can't understand the difference between my toddler and baby crying at the same time and a bear chasing me" to "My nervous system can't tell the difference between someone texting me just my name and being held at gunpoint", users are poking fun at how their body treats minor stress like a life-or-death emergency. And let’s be real, we’ve all been there.
But why does this happen? Why does your heart race over an email notification like you’re being chased by a bear? And is there actually a way to stop your body from freaking out over things that aren’t dangerous?
Let’s break it down.
Your Brain Thinks You’re in Danger (Even When You’re Not)
Your nervous system has one job: keep you alive. Back in prehistoric times, it was great at this, if a predator appeared, your body would flood with adrenaline, your heart rate would spike, and you’d either run for your life or fight to survive. That’s the fight-or-flight response, and it’s what kept our ancestors from becoming lunch.
The problem? Your nervous system hasn’t evolved to tell the difference between actual physical threats and modern-day stress. So when your phone pings with a “We need to talk” text, your brain interprets it as an emergency, flipping the same survival switch it would if you were face-to-face with a tiger. Your heart pounds, your stomach knots, and suddenly, it feels like something terrible is about to happen, even though, logically, you know it’s just a message.
Why Some People Feel It More Than Others
Not everyone experiences this extreme reaction to everyday stress, but for those who do, it often comes down to a few key factors. If you’ve been under chronic stress for a long time, your nervous system might be stuck in high alert mode, meaning everything feels like a potential crisis. Past trauma can also heighten this response. Your brain, having learned that danger can come unexpectedly, becomes extra sensitive to anything even remotely stressful. Neurodivergence, like ADHD or autism, can make emotional regulation trickier, so sudden sensory input (like a ringing phone or a crying baby) can feel especially overwhelming.
It’s not that your brain is broken! It’s just overprotective and needs a little help learning what’s actually dangerous and what’s just, well, life.
How to Teach Your Nervous System to Chill
The good news? You can train your brain to stop overreacting. The first step is recognising what’s happening in the moment. When you feel that sudden wave of panic over something minor, remind yourself:
"This is just my nervous system trying to protect me. I am not actually in danger."
Simply labelling the feeling can help take the edge off.
Physical regulation techniques can also help reset your nervous system. Deep breathing is one of the simplest ways:
Try this:
Inhale for four seconds, 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 Hold for four seconds, 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 Then exhale for eight seconds, 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵
This signals to your brain that you’re safe. Cold water works too; try splashing your face or holding a cold drink to activate the vagus nerve, which tells your body to relax. Movement can help discharge built-up stress, so shaking out your hands, stretching or even pacing can give your nervous system the reset it needs.
Reframing your thoughts is a powerful tool. Instead of letting your brain spiral into “This is terrifying”, consciously shift your perspective to “This is uncomfortable, but not dangerous”. The more you practice this, the less intense your reactions will become over time.
The Takeaway: Viral TikTok Nervous System Trend and What It Means
Your nervous system isn’t malfunctioning; it’s just outdated software running on modern hardware. It’s trying to keep you safe, but sometimes, it’s a little too enthusiastic. The key is not to fight it, but to work with it. By recognising when your brain is overreacting, using simple regulation techniques, and gently challenging your thoughts, you can teach your nervous system that not every stressor is a tiger waiting to pounce.
The Viral TikTok Nervous System Trend has resonated with millions because it perfectly captures how our bodies can misinterpret everyday stress. The good news is, that once you understand why it happens, you can start to retrain your nervous system and take back control.
So next time your phone unexpectedly rings and your body launches into full panic mode, take a breath, remind yourself you’re not in the jungle, and answer at your own pace. Or, you know, ignore it and wait for them to send a text like a normal person.
When to Get Extra Support
While it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes, if your nervous system is constantly on high alert and it’s affecting your daily life, you don’t have to just deal with it alone. Talking to a professional can help you understand your triggers, build healthier coping strategies, and retrain your brain to respond to stress in a way that actually serves you.
At Talens Health Support Services, we offer affordable online private 1-to-1 counselling with BACP-registered counsellors who specialise in helping people navigate anxiety, stress and nervous system dysregulation. Your first session is free, so why not click the link and schedule a friendly, no-pressure discovery chat?
A calmer, more in control, you might be just one conversation away.
Comments