
This blog post was first published in Yervika.
It’s been a pretty intense week in the U.S., as the overwhelm from Trump taking office has fully set in. Though I have noticed myself going into freeze mode this week—having vivid memories of the psychological and material impact that his last presidency had on vulnerable populations—I am grateful for a habit I started building a few months ago of nourishing my nervous system daily.
In these trying times, nourishing our nervous system daily is one of the most important things we can do. Without it, we’re likely to get burnt out or paralyzingly overwhelmed in the face of the intensity of our times. Our work towards deeply needed change will be unsustainable, and we for sure “can’t get free depleted” as Buddhist Minister & activist Lama Rod Owens reminds us.
Though it isn’t always easy to incorporate nourishing practices into our busy lives, learning about small steps we can take, setting an intention, and starting to practice can go a long way.
There is much uncertainty and unpredictability in the world, and it’s easy to fall into states of panic, stress, or anxiety, which can lead to a dysregulated nervous system that, longterm, has detrimental effects on our bodies, minds, and spirits. Nourishing our nervous system certainly won’t undo the current state of affairs, but it can position us to bring more calm and groundedness into our lives, and enable us to sustainably contribute to positive change and be able to keep up our work of resisting the grave injustices that we see happening across the world.
Let’s talk a bit about the nervous system, and then I’d like to extend an invitation to you.
The Nervous System:
Our nervous system’s job is to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in our external environment—a tall task where the daily norm for most people is a constant sensory overload and instant access to global crises. The nervous system is how we as humans experience the world around us and how we regulate the world within us. When we feel overwhelmed, we can’t process the sensory inputs coming our way, and are unable to respond from a grounded and healthy place. The overload instead taxes our system and leads to an unhealthy accumulation of stress, which can lead to different forms of burnout.
Though there are many factors that negatively impact our nervous system, there are also many things we can do to heal and maintain a more balanced state. In my experience, nature is an excellent co-regulator, as connecting to the plant world can calm our systems, help us to find groundedness, and better manage sensory overload so that it doesn’t lead to complete burnout.
There are a few categories of herbs that have an affinity for the nervous system in that they act as protectors, strengtheners, and tonifiers for the human nervous system. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, humans have evolved alongside herbs for millennia, and it’s just incredible that there are herbs with affinities for specific human body systems that support us in this way.
The Invitation:
If you follow Yervika’s work, you probably know that I have been facilitating a nervous system workshop for the past few months in person in Oakland, California at the most wonderful plant shop called Planterday. I’ve been offering this workshop to raise more awareness around the importance of tending to our nervous system in these times, and to support people in connecting with herbs that tone and nourish our nervous system as well as protect our bodies from the detrimental impacts of stress.
Because of the importance of this topic for our times, I will be offering this workshop online on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 10-11:30am PST / 1-2:30pm EST / 7-8:30pm CET. I would love to share this space with you as we delve into the topic of the nervous system, stress resilience, and herbs that can support us in staying better balance.
During this workshop, we will explore:
nervous system basics, including its role, anatomy, functionings, and more
nervous system responses including sympathetic & parasympathetic states
causes of a dysregulated nervous system
spiritual/metaphysical impacts of dysregulation
how to tend to & heal a dysregulated nervous system
herbs that support the nervous system and stress resilience that you can easily incorporate into your daily life through simply making tea
For those of you wondering how we’ll make tea while online: don’t worry; I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will maximize the likelihood of you putting what you learn into practice if you’re unable to get herbal materials beforehand. We’ll be studying the relevant herbs via Yervika’s online guide on the topic (included in the workshop ticket price), researching local herb shops near you, and creating an accountability system to inspire dedicated action.
Wherever you are in the world, I would love for you to join me for this workshop. Click here to reserve your spot.

What if the wisdom you seek is already in your roots?
🌿 Rooting Deeper is an invitation—a gentle unfolding into more meaningful relationship with the plants that have shaped your lineage, healing, and sense of place. This card deck is designed to guide you through reflective inquiries that weave together personal memory, ancestral wisdom, and ecological belonging.
Each card offers a question or prompt to help you explore:
✨ The role of plants in your cultural and ancestral history
✨ How nature serves as a mirror for your own cycles of growth and transformation
✨ Ways to restore connection to land, lineage, and community through plant relationships
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