Your nervous system isn't just one thing; it has two main gears: the sympathetic (fight/flight/stress) and the parasympathetic (rest/digest/repair). For many of us, the sympathetic gear is stuck ON, leading to chronically elevated cortisol. This isn't just about feeling stressed; it impacts everything from digestion to sleep to immune function. Regulating your nervous system means consciously shifting yourself back into that parasympathetic state, allowing your body to naturally lower cortisol and restore balance.

A tension headache is the physical manifestation of the "fight or flight" response. As an RPN, I see how the trapezius muscles and the base of the skull seize up when we are bracing for a challenge. This constriction limits blood flow and creates that "tight band" feeling around the head. It is your body’s physical way of holding onto a problem.