Emotional Reactivity
Do you find yourself exploding over minor issues? Feeling overwhelmed by
emotions that seem out of proportion? Your nervous system might be stuck in a
state of hypervigilance, making emotional regulation difficult.
Why am I so reactive?
What feels like a personality flaw might actually be your nervous system stuck in a state of chronic stress. When your nervous system is dysregulated, it remains in a constant state of high alert, interpreting even minor stressors as significant threats. This shows up as:
- Disproportionate emotional responses to small triggers
- Difficulty returning to calm after getting upset
- Lashing out at loved ones over minor issues
- Feeling constantly on edge or irritable
- Shame and regret following emotional outbursts
Guide to Nervous System Regulation:
How to regulate your body's operating system for better sleep, digestion, mental clarity and emotional balance
Get free guideNervous system dysregulation fuels emotional reactivity
Emotional reactivity occurs when you're stuck in Sympathetic Dominance (fight or flight). This creates a cycle of overwhelming emotions through the following mechanisms:
Amygdala Hyperactivation
Problem ➜ Your brain's threat detection center becomes hypersensitive, triggering emotional alarms at the slightest provocation. This is like having a smoke detector that goes off when you're simply cooking dinner.
Symptom ➜ Feeling instantly flooded with anger, anxiety, or fear in response to minor triggers—like snapping when someone uses the wrong tone of voice.
Prefrontal Cortex Inhibition
Problem ➜ When stress hormones flood your system, they temporarily shut down your rational thinking brain. This is why you can't "think your way out" of an emotional reaction once it starts.
Symptom ➜ That familiar feeling of saying or doing things in the heat of the moment that you'd never do when calm, followed by regret once your thinking brain comes back online.
Neuroception Dysfunction
Problem ➜ Your subconscious threat detection system becomes miscalibrated through repeated stress or past trauma, making even neutral facial expressions or tones of voice feel threatening.
Symptom ➜ Finding yourself thinking "Why is everyone always mad at me?" when they're actually not, or feeling attacked during normal conversations.
Autonomic Nervous System Rigidity
Problem ➜ Your nervous system loses its natural flexibility, getting stuck in high alert and unable to return to a state of calm and connection.
Symptom ➜ That feeling of being "keyed up" even hours after a triggering event, or waking up already feeling on edge before the day has even started.
Stress Hormone Flooding
Problem ➜ Your body's alarm chemicals (cortisol, adrenaline) stay elevated, creating a physiological state of constant readiness for danger.
Symptom ➜ The physical sensation of your heart racing, breathing quickening, and muscles tensing at even minor stressors—like a text message notification.
Interoceptive Awareness
Deficit
Problem ➜ The connection between your body and brain becomes disrupted, making it difficult to notice the early physical signs of emotional activation.
Symptom ➜ Feeling like your emotions go from 0 to 100 instantly, without the usual warning signs that would let you intervene early.
The hidden cost of emotional reactivity
Emotional reactivity isn't just about feeling overwhelmed—it's a systemic breakdown that affects every aspect of your life.
74%
higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease
3x
more likely to experience relationship dissolution within 5 years
63%
of people with high emotional reactivity report significant work performance impairment
2.3x
increased risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders
71%
of individuals with high emotional reactivity report sleep disturbances
Break the cycle
Our science-based programs address emotional reactivity at its root by regulating your nervous system through:
- Neurofeedback to retrain stress response patterns
- Heart Rate Variability for emotional resilience
- Neuroception retraining to accurately interpret social cues
- Somatic practices to release stored emotional energy
- Mindfulness techniques to build the pause between trigger and response
I feel rested
It’s worth it
Healing
Backed by our research team
Lucy Oliver
MSci, Chemistry & Founder
Dr. Jay Luther
MD,Internal medicine (Harvard)
Dr. Aaron Roughan, DC
CHIROPRACTOR & Behavioural Psychologist
Paola Encinas
NEUROSCIENTIST & BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER
“I’ve done both the 5 and 10 day programs, and I loved them both! I learned so much.
This retreat was truly life-changing. It sparked profound shifts in my nervous system.”
MATT H.
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