The True Glow-up: Healing Your Sympathetic Nervous System

Dear, My Love,

The life you dream of is not locked behind achieving external perfection. Trends come and go, your skin will change and so will the products you use to take care of it. Without realizing it we ignore where true transformation begins—on the inside. We all know what the nervous system is, your body's internal command center, but we aren't aware of its power to both destroy our lives and renew it. Your nervous system shapes how you heal, connect, rest, and even how your skin looks. 

Your nervous system is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and a network of nerves that extend from it. It interprets the world around you, reacting like it has since primordial times. When this system is regulated your body is able to do what is should: restore, repair, and thrive. 

However, when this system is dysregulated your body takes energy away from non-essential functions like digestion, hormonal balance, skin repair, and emotional regulation. It instead uses that energy to help you survive and fight for your life, even when your life isn't actually in danger. This creates a ripple effect: inflammation increases, skin issues worsen, you retain more weight, sleep suffers, and anxiety rises. All of this because your body is simply trying to protect you. 

But what is the difference between a regulated and a dysregulated nervous system? When your nervous system is properly regulated you feel safe, grounded, and in balance. However, when it's not you are stuck in a cycle of chronic stress and survival mode (fight or flight). Even the smallest things can feel overwhelming and can send you spiraling.

As someone who has had psoriasis from a young age because of a dysregulated nervous system I understand the horrors of trying to fight against it without addressing the root cause. Looking in the mirror going through treatment through treatment, applying ointment after ointment, and only seeing temporary relief of a condition that debilitated me. Nobody told me stress was the cause, nobody taught me how to manage it. 

Table of Contents (not linked bc this is Blogger and I have no clue how HTML works)

1. Parts of your nervous system
2. The benefits
3. What you can do

Parts of your nervous system

There are two significant parts of your nervous system that are crucial for you to know:

Sympathetic: in charge of responding to dangerous and stressful situations.

Parasympathetic: responsible for "rest and digest" functions; helps the body return to a place of "normalcy" or homeostasis after a sympathetic response

These two parts are part of your autonomic network in your nervous system also known as the central autonomic network (CAN). This network integrates various brain regions to help regulate your nervous system. However, when it is experiencing dysfunctions it can lead to significant health issues. 

Your nervous system also works with your immune system, that is why autoimmune disorders like psoriasis, Crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes, etc. exist. Peripheral sensory—sensory nerves located outside of the spinal cord and brain—and autonomic neurons—controls functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion—control immune responses which influence inflammation and tissue homeostasis. Immune cells allow your nervous system reactions to control and change them affecting their function which can result in both acute and chronic conditions. 

The benefits

When your nervous system is in a regulated state—especially when the vagus nerve (your calm-and-connect nerve) is strong—you begin to notice subtle but powerful shifts that transform your life and renew it:  

Nervous System Effect	Glow-Up Benefit
Lower cortisol & stress horomones	Clearer, calmer skin and fewer breakouts (helps with acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Increased vagal tone	Better digestion, reduced bloating, more energy
Hormonal balance returns	Improved mood, better periods, stable weight
Enhanced emotional regulation	More confidence, peaceful presence, radiant energy
Improved sleep cycles	Brighter eyes, better skin regeneration, less puffiness
Reduced inflammation	Calmer immune response, less redness, more even skin tone

What you can do

One of the most transformative ideas from Polyvagal Theory is that healing begins with safety. Your glow-up isn’t about being stress-free 24/7—it’s about teaching your body that it’s safe to be you. Safe to rest. Safe to express. Safe to feel. Safe to glow.

This is why practices like:

• Prayer and breathwork calm the stress response

• Mindfulness and movement anchor you to the present moment

• Joyful social connection nourishes your ventral vagal system

...are more than just wellness trends—they’re scientifically supported ways to return your body to a regulated, radiant state.