Friday February 20, 2026 | 🌿 Journal Prompts for Calming My Nervous System

1. “What is my body trying to tell me right now?”   

My body is trying to tell me that cortisol and adrenaline the two stress hormones are the culprits of me gaining weight plus the muscle tone I have been gaining when I workout.  But I have to listen to listen to my doctor telling me that sugar, carbs and fat are the culprits that are making me gain weight.  Who is right?  Me, who says it is the two stress hormones---cortisol and adrenaline.  Or what my doctor says, that it is sugar, carbs and fat.  

2. “What would help me feel 5% safer or softer in this moment?” 

Smelling something calming like Lavender.  Telling the cat I'm going to pick her up.  Happy (the cat) really does not like to be picked up but she will follow me up the stairs for a cat treat.  Go figure.  lol!  Nicki Rose loves to be carried around.  I taught her a whole plethora of tricks.  She knows first sit, laydown, give five, high five and dance.  

3. “Where do I feel pressure to push through, and what would it look like to pause instead?”

When I exercise moderately.  

4. “What is one thing I can take off my plate today without guilt?”   

Like what?  Literally food items?  Well I can take cool whip off.  Or if they mean a little more like for example, lightening the load.  To lighten the load would mean getting rid of this house.  That would just settle all of this stress and anxiety---just think about it.  

5. “What sensory input is overwhelming me, and what sensory input would soothe me?”

Fast moving crowds moving though the store.  

6. “What is one boundary my nervous system is asking me to set?”

Telling someone that I need to reset my nervous system and go somewhere quiet.  To take a few breaths and then coming back.  

7. “What is something I handled well today, even if it felt small?”  

Exercising and then pushing through.

8. “What would I say to myself if I spoke to myself the way I speak to someone I love?”

I don't have to carry this alone.  I am doing my best that I know how and that is enough for right now.

9. “What part of me feels tired, and what kind of rest does it need?”

Literally, the butt feels tired.  Actually my butt is sore but, it's more like between my low-back and my hip.  I think it was an exercise I did that injured my low-back and hip.  

10. “What is one thing I can do to support steady blood sugar and steady emotions today?”

Pausing while I eat.  While I pause, drink water or whatever it is that I am drinking.  Eating a 1/4 cup of nuts.  or one cheese stick, greek yogurt. I am probably limiting eggs because it has cholesterol in them.  Eggs and Chocolate are off-limits to me.   But I do eat chocolate on Saturday for my cheat day.