“Why Nervous System Support Matters for hEDS and Hypermobility.”

For a long time, I thought my body was just fragile. I blamed my joints for everything. The pain, the instability, the exhaustion, the way movement felt unpredictable from one day to the next.

What I did not realize back then was how deeply my nervous system was involved in all of it.

If you live with hEDS or hypermobility, there is a good chance your nervous system has been working overtime for years. Not because you are doing anything wrong, but because your body has learned that it needs to stay alert to keep you safe.

Understanding this changed everything for me.

Living in a hypermobile body can keep the nervous system on high alert!

When your joints move more than expected, your body has to work harder to keep you upright and safe. Muscles grip. Ligaments stretch. Your brain constantly checks where your body is in space.

Over time, this can keep your nervous system stuck in a state of protection.

This does not always feel like anxiety in the way people usually describe it. Sometimes it shows up as:

• constant muscle tension
• fatigue that never fully lifts
• feeling easily overwhelmed
• sensitivity to sound, light, or movement
• pain that flares without a clear reason
• difficulty fully relaxing

Your body is not overreacting.
It is doing its best to protect you.

Why regulation matters more than pushing through…

When the nervous system feels unsafe, the body tightens. Muscles guard. Movement feels harder. Pain feels louder. Recovery takes longer.

This is why forcing workouts or pushing through discomfort often backfires for hypermobile bodies. The nervous system reads force as a threat.

Gentle nervous system support sends the opposite message. It tells your body that it is okay to soften.

When the nervous system begins to settle, you may notice:

• muscles gripping less
• joints feeling more supported
• improved coordination
• reduced pain sensitivity
• movement feeling less scary

This is not about fixing your body.
It is about helping it feel safe enough to function.

Nervous system tools that can support hypermobile bodies:

There is no single right way to regulate the nervous system. What matters is finding practices that feel accessible and supportive for you.

Some gentle tools that many hypermobile people find helpful include:

Somatic movement

Slow, intuitive movements that focus on sensation rather than form. These movements help your body release stored tension and improve body awareness without pushing into end range.

Humming and vocal toning

Humming stimulates the vagus nerve and can quickly calm the nervous system. It is simple, free, and can be done anywhere. Even a few seconds can make a difference.

EFT tapping

Light tapping on specific points while bringing awareness to how you feel can help the body process stress gently. It does not require reliving trauma or forcing emotions. It is about acknowledging what is present and offering support.

RLT or gentle trauma-informed regulation practices

Practices that focus on safety, resourcing, and body awareness rather than digging or fixing. These approaches help your system learn that it is safe in the present moment.

Affirmations that support safety

Affirmations work best when they feel believable. Simple phrases like:
• My body is allowed to move gently
• I am safe to slow down
• I can listen to my body today

These help retrain the nervous system over time.

Why gentle movement supports nervous system healing…

Movement is not just physical. It is neurological.

Slow, controlled movement in mid-range positions gives your brain clearer feedback from your body. This improves proprioception, which is often impacted in hypermobility.

Clear feedback helps your nervous system feel more grounded and less reactive.

This is why gentle strength and stability work can feel calming instead of exhausting when done thoughtfully.

What nervous system support can look like day to day:

This does not need to be complicated or time-consuming.

It might look like:

• starting movement with a slow breath or hum
• tapping for a minute before exercise
• choosing five minutes instead of twenty
• stopping before fatigue sets in
• ending movement with grounding or affirmations

Small moments of regulation, repeated often, create safety over time.

Why this matters for long-term wellness with hEDS?

Hypermobility is not something you fix. It is something you learn to live with in a way that feels supportive instead of exhausting.

When the nervous system feels safer, the body has more capacity to adapt, stabilize, and heal gently. Pain becomes easier to manage. Movement feels more approachable. Trust begins to rebuild.

This work is slow.
And that is okay.

A gentle place to begin…

If you are not sure where to start, begin by adding nervous system support into whatever you are already doing. Slow things down. Reduce intensity. Choose practices that help your body feel steady rather than overwhelmed.

I created the Gentle Stability Starter Guide with this connection in mind. The routines are designed to support joint stability while also being nervous system friendly, using slow pacing, simple movements, and supportive cues.

You can find it here: https://hypermobilewellnessco.squarespace.com/store/p/gentle-stability-starter-guide

Final thoughts:

Your nervous system is not broken.
It has been protecting you for a long time.

With gentle support, it can learn that your body is a safer place to be. That movement does not have to hurt. That slowing down is allowed.

Healing with hypermobility is not about doing more.
It is about listening more.

And you are allowed to take that slow, steady path.