I was anxious…all the time…and didn’t know it

I didn’t name it as that. Instead it was a refined voice that sounded like me that was always asking “is this the best use of your time?”

I thought it was my superpower, always keeping me focused, harnessed, efficient.

But as I’ve learned more on the intersection of physical, mental and spiritual health - I’ve come to realize that what may be our superpower - may also be our worst enemy.

I was asking myself that question when I was playing with my daughter on a Sunday afternoon jumping on the trampoline for 15 minutes. I’d be asking myself as my wife and I headed off for a hot date. I ask myself that in the middle of a delicious meal. I’d ask myself that question - all the time. Volunteering my time with battered women - is this the best use of my time? Someone else can do this, shouldn’t I be working to make money? I do that well, why not let someone else do this. Annette could be playing with Ava - why am I doing this?

It wasn’t until someone questioned whether that voice was my superpower or potentially sending alarm signals in my body keeping it in a constant state of inflammation… and then the blood tests came back a few years ago - inflammation markers off the charts. I had to change. I did in a few areas - and the same inflammation markers have plummeted.

Could you have something sabotaging you and your health without even realizing it?

Your Body Has a Built-In Alarm System. Yours Might Be Stuck.

You've probably heard of "fight or flight." It's the thing your body does when there's danger — your heart speeds up, your muscles tense, your brain goes on high alert. It's supposed to save your life.

The problem? Your body can't tell the difference between a bear chasing you and a Monday morning inbox. A tough conversation with your boss triggers the same stress chemicals as a car accident. Your phone buzzing at 11 PM hits the same alarm as a fire alarm.

And here's what most people don't realize: you can get stuck there - without even knowing it - at least for a little while.

Not for minutes. For months. Years. Your nervous system stays locked in "something is wrong" mode — and you just think that's... normal. You think you're just tired. Just stressed. Just getting older.

You're not. Your alarm system is broken.

What It's Quietly Doing to You

When your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, it doesn't just make you feel stressed. It messes with everything:

• Sleep: Your body won't fully shut down at night. You wake up at 3 AM with your mind racing — not because something's wrong, but because your brain thinks something is always wrong

• Weight: Chronic stress floods your body with cortisol, which tells your body to hold onto fat — especially around your belly. You can eat clean and still gain weight when your nervous system is fried

• Mood: That short fuse? The brain fog? The low-grade anxiety that never fully goes away? That's not a personality trait — it's your stress response stuck on repeat

• Digestion: Ever notice your stomach acts up when you're stressed? Your gut and your nervous system are directly connected. When one's off, the other follows

This isn't woo-woo stuff. This is basic biology that most of us were never taught.

The Fix Isn't What You Think

Here's the good news: you don't need a retreat in Bali or a $5,000 wearable to fix this. You need to learn how to flip the switch — to tell your nervous system "hey, you're safe. Stand down."

The key player? Something called your vagus nerve. It's the longest nerve in your body — it runs from your brain all the way down to your gut. Think of it as the brake pedal for your stress response. When you activate it, your heart rate drops, your breathing slows, your muscles relax, and your brain stops screaming.

Neurowellness experts are calling this the master switch for your health. And the research backs it up — vagus nerve stimulation has shown real results for depression, PTSD, heart health, and even chronic pain.

But you don't need a doctor or a device to start. Here are five things you can do today:

1. Breathe longer out than in. Inhale for 4 seconds. Exhale for 6-8 seconds. That longer exhale tells your vagus nerve you're safe. Do it for 2 minutes. You'll feel the shift.

2. Splash cold water on your face. It triggers something called the mammalian diving reflex — an automatic calming response. Your heart rate drops almost instantly. I like to immerse myself in freezing water for a few minutes a few times/week to help build resilience in this category. On those days - I get the best sleep of the week.

3. Hum or gargle. Sounds weird. Works great. The vibrations in your throat directly stimulate your vagus nerve. Hum in the shower. Hum on the way to work. Gargle some water when you rinse out that toothpaste like you mean it.

4. Put your hand on your chest and breathe. Simple touch + slow breathing sends a "safe" signal to your brain. It's almost embarrassingly simple — and it works.

5. Go outside and move slowly. Not a run. Not a HIIT class. A slow walk. Look around. Let your eyes relax. This down-regulates your nervous system in a way intense exercise can't.

The Real 1Up

Here's what I want you to take from this.

We spend so much time trying to fix the symptoms — the bad sleep, the weight that won't budge, the anxiety, the short temper — without ever asking why they're all happening at once.

The answer, for a lot of us, is the same: our nervous system is stuck. And the fix isn't harder workouts or stricter diets. It's learning how to calm the system down so your body can actually do what it already knows how to do.

Try one of those five things this week. Just one. And pay attention to what happens.

Your body wants to heal. You just have to stop sounding the alarm.

-Jared

P.S. - My wife has a beautiful newsletter where she shares her perspectives on tending the land, recipes, women’s health and more.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👋

I write this newsletter each week because I feel my best when my body, mind and soul are all healthy. I want the same for you. If you feel like you’ve seen something valuable here, please do me a favor and forward this newsletter to a friend or let me know what you think by replying to this email or texting me - (310) 879-8441

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

Here are a few other links to things that have changed my life:

Whoop - Track your HRV and REM Sleep

Function Health - Optimize Your Health via 160+ BioMarkers

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna