When the sympathetic nervous system is always activated (refresher: that’s the state we go into when the body thinks there’s a threat), it becomes hard for the brain to prioritize anything else; it’s focused on looking for imminent danger. Even situations that are supposed to be fun, like social gatherings, can quickly become exhausting because we’re unconsciously hyperfocused on people’s moods, facial expressions, and perceptions of us. This intense, narrow focus can lead to overwhelm when we are dealing with daily tasks or even making small decisions because the brain is using so much of its
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