How Regulated Is Your Nervous System?
- Kristen Podulka
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
A simple quiz to reflect on how you’re feeling day to day
You’ve likely heard the phrase “regulate your nervous system,” but what does that actually look like in your day-to-day life? Not in theory, but in real moments, in conversations, in decisions, and in how your body feels at the end of the day.
This short quiz is designed to help you notice your patterns. There are no right or wrong answers. It’s simply an opportunity to pause and reflect on how you tend to respond to stress, how long it stays with you, and how easily you’re able to settle once something has thrown you off.
As you move through each question, choose the answer that feels most true for you lately.
When something stressful happens, I tend to:
A. Stay relatively calm and think clearly
B. Feel it, but recover within a reasonable amount of time
C. Notice it lingers and takes time to move through
D. Feel overwhelmed, reactive, or shut down
When plans change or something unexpected comes up, I notice:
A. I can adjust without much stress
B. It takes a moment, but I find my footing again
C. I feel thrown off and it takes time to reset
D. It feels overwhelming and hard to recover from
At the end of a typical day, my body feels:
A. Relaxed or settled
B. A little tired, but generally okay
C. Tense, restless, or still “on”
D. Completely drained or depleted
When I’m in a conversation that feels uncomfortable:
A. I’m able to stay present and respond thoughtfully
B. I feel some discomfort but can stay engaged
C. I notice myself becoming reactive or defensive
D. I feel the urge to shut down, avoid, or disconnect
Throughout the day my thoughts feel:
A. Clear and focused
B. Mostly manageable with occasional stress
C. Busy, repetitive, or hard to quiet
D. Overwhelming or scattered
When I have downtime, I tend to:
A. Rest or relax without needing constant input
B. Enjoy a mix of rest and activity
C. Reach for my phone or distractions fairly quickly
D. Feel restless or uneasy when things are quiet
My energy throughout the day feels:
A. Steady and consistent
B. Up and down, but manageable
C. Frequently low or depleted
D. Unpredictable, shifting between wired and exhausted
When something stressful passes, I notice:
A. I’m able to let it go and move on fairly quickly
B. It stays with me for a bit, but I can eventually reset
C. It lingers in my thoughts or body longer than I’d like
D. I feel like I carry it with me for the rest of the day (or longer)
Throughout the day, my body feels:
A. Relaxed or at ease most of the time
B. Occasionally tense, but I notice and can soften
C. Frequently tight (shoulders, jaw, chest) without realizing it
D. Either very tense or so disconnected that it’s hard to tell
My sleep lately feels:
A. Restful, and I wake up feeling ready for the day
B. Mostly okay, with occasional restless nights
C. Inconsistent, or I wake up still feeling tired
D. Disrupted, restless, or not fully restorative
Your Results
Take a look at which letter you chose most often. If your answers are mixed, that’s completely normal. As you read through the categories below, notice which one resonates most with your experience.
Mostly A’s: Steady and Grounded
Your nervous system is showing a good amount of flexibility right now. You’re able to experience stress without getting pulled too far off center, and you tend to return to a more settled state with relative ease. This doesn’t mean life feels perfect or stress-free. It simply means your system has the capacity to move through what’s happening without staying stuck there.
Mostly B: Responsive, with Room to Reset
You’re likely able to handle what comes your way, but you may notice moments where stress lingers a bit longer than you’d like. You may feel generally balanced, yet certain situations or demands leave a subtle tension behind. This is often where small, consistent resets can begin to make a noticeable difference.
Mostly C: Often Activated
You may be noticing that your system stays “on” more than it fully settles. Stress, tension, or mental activity can linger even after the moment has passed. This can feel like always having something running in the background. Not necessarily overwhelming, but rarely fully at ease. This often reflects a period of sustained demand or pressure, rather than anything being wrong.
Mostly D: Stretched or Depleted
Your nervous system may be carrying a lot right now. You may notice feeling easily overwhelmed, more reactive than usual, or at the other end of the spectrum, completely drained or checked out. When your system has been under prolonged stress, it can move between feeling wired and exhausted, without much time in between. This is often a sign that your body hasn’t had enough opportunity to fully rest and recover.
What This Means
The goal isn’t to be calm all the time. It’s to build the ability to move through stress and return to a place where you feel clear, steady, and able to respond instead of react.
You don’t need to change everything to support your nervous system. What makes the difference are small, consistent moments that gently shift how your body responds over time. This might look like taking a few slower breaths before responding to something that feels charged, stepping outside for fresh air instead of pushing through, or allowing yourself a minute of stillness between tasks rather than moving quickly from one thing to the next. These moments may seem simple, but over time, they begin to create a noticeably different experience in your body.
Where Reiki Fits In
Reiki offers a structured, supported space for your body to settle. Research and clinical observations suggest it can support activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for rest and recovery. In practice, many people notice physical tension begin to release, their shoulders drop, their jaw softens, and their breathing slows. Mental activity often quiets, and the body feels more settled and less on edge. For some, this is one of the first times they experience that level of rest. It becomes a reference point, making it easier to recognize and return to a more steady state.
If this gave you a clearer sense of how you’ve been feeling, that awareness alone is meaningful. You don’t need to force change. You can begin by giving your body small opportunities to settle and reset throughout your day. If you’re ready to experience this in a more supported way, you’re welcome to book a Reiki session with me. I’m here when you’re ready.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. I am not a medical doctor or licensed therapist. Reiki is a complementary practice and is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider.
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