What does it actually mean to “reset your nervous system”? Is that even a real thing… or just another TikTok buzz phrase floating through the algorithm swamp?

In this episode, Amy and therapist Brittney Baxter Dameron dig into what the nervous system actually does, why our bodies react the way they do to stress, and why “calming down” is a lot more complicated than somebody yelling “just relax!” from across the room like an emotionally constipated camp counselor.

They explore the difference between real threats and perceived threats, how cortisol and adrenaline affect the body, and why chronic stress can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally fried, and stuck in survival mode. The conversation also covers the vagus nerve, fight/flight/freeze responses, and practical ways to give your nervous system a much-needed reprieve during difficult times.

Amy shares some of the tools that genuinely help her sleep and regulate stress, including guided sleep meditations, binaural beats, color-noise soundscapes, sleep stories, and even a surprisingly soothing color-by-number app that apparently relaxes her enough to convince her smartwatch she’s unconscious. Which honestly feels like a glowing review.

Brittney also explains:

· Why meditation doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged chanting “ohm”

· How creativity and sensory comfort can help regulate stress

· Why sleep is one of the most powerful nervous system reprieves we have

· The difference between healthy coping mechanisms and stress-relief behaviors that create even bigger problems later

· How to recognize when your body is trying to tell you something important

This episode also contains a very honest conversation about living through stressful and uncertain times, navigating fear and helplessness, and finding sustainable ways to care for yourself without shutting down completely.

So grab your coziest blanket, your comfort beverage, and maybe a pair of headphones for those binaural beats… and join us as we find our way into the strange, complicated world of stress, survival, and nervous system reprieves.

This episode was recorded on January 26, 2026 and released on June 10, 2026.

If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Chapter Markers

00:00:21 Intro

00:00:54 What IS the Nervous System?

00:02:58 “Resetting” Your Nervous System

00:04:38 Controlling our Autonomic Nervous System

00:06:39 Breathing Exercise

00:07:35 “Calm Down” Rarely Works

00:09:56 Tips for Regulating Your Nervous System

00:11:02 Meditation

00:15:38 Binaural Sounds

00:18:47 Other Forms of Meditation

00:21:41 Other Nervous System Reprieves

00:23:03 Stress Responses in Everyday Life

00:25:18 A Cozy Environment

00:26:38 Sleep Hygiene

00:27:39 Cortisol Explained

00:31:57 Healthy Reprieves

00:32:18 Unhealthy Ways to Relieve Stress

00:36:06 Real and Perceived Threats

00:45:57 Credits

Episode links:

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

Please see our blog post for the list of all the podcasts Amy recommends.

Disclaimer

This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.

Credits:

Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg

Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.

Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio

Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!