How Is Your Nervous System Doing?
- Kristen Podulka
- Apr 26
- 5 min read
A simple quiz to reflect on how you're feeling day to day.
Exhausted, but unable to fully relax?
Tired, but still feeling "on"?
Overwhelmed by small things that normally wouldn't bother you?
Unable to quiet your mind even when you finally have time to rest?
If any of that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Often, these experiences have less to do with willpower and more to do with what your nervous system has been carrying.
This simple quiz is an opportunity to pause, check in with yourself, and notice how you're feeling lately.
As you move through each question, choose the answer that feels most true for you right now.
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: Resilient and Responsive
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, centered, and able to respond rather than react. You don’t need to change everything to support your nervous system. What often makes the biggest difference are small, consistent moments that help your body feel safe enough to settle.
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 moment of stillness between tasks instead of moving immediately to the next thing.
These practices may seem simple, but over time they can create a noticeably different experience in both your body and mind.
Where Reiki Fits In
Reiki offers a dedicated space for your body and mind to slow down. Many people notice their breathing deepen, physical tension soften, and mental chatter quiet during a session. For some, it becomes a reminder of what it feels like to truly rest, making it easier to recognize when they're carrying more stress than they realized.
If this quiz gave you a clearer sense of how you've been feeling, that awareness alone is meaningful. You don't need to force change or have everything figured out. You can begin by giving yourself small opportunities to pause, settle, and reconnect throughout your day.
If you're ready for a more supported experience, Reiki can offer a gentle space to slow down, reset, and reconnect with yourself. I'd be honored to support you.
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.
Comments