If deep breathing or meditation hasn’t helped your anxiety, you’re not alone. When the nervous system moves outside its window of tolerance, calming practices can feel impossible. This post explores why “just breathe” often doesn’t work during panic, how hyperarousal and hypoarousal shape our responses, and somatic tools that gently bring the body back into regulation. Includes a free guide to mapping your window of tolerance and practices for grounding, movement, and bodyfulness.

If deep breathing or meditation hasn’t helped your anxiety, you’re not alone. When the nervous system moves outside its window of tolerance, calming practices can feel impossible. This post explores why “just breathe” often doesn’t work during panic, how hyperarousal and hypoarousal shape our responses, and somatic tools that gently bring the body back into regulation. Includes a free guide to mapping your window of tolerance and practices for grounding, movement, and bodyfulness.

Through a simple somatic practice, this post invites you to sense how your body knows the difference between yielding with honesty and shrinking to survive. By moving through surrender and settling, you’ll uncover clarity held quietly in your bones.