Understanding the Nervous System to Build a More Positive Relationship with Your Body

For LGBTQ+ clients and clients from gender, sexual, and relationship diverse (GSRD) backgrounds, it’s important to understand how stress and trauma can deeply impact your well-being, especially in the context of relationships and sexuality. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, past trauma, or just trying to make sense of your emotions, it's important to recognize how your nervous system plays a role in these experiences and how you can build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with your body.

What Is the Nervous System Stress Response?

Your nervous system is like an internal alert system that kicks in whenever you perceive a threat. This response is managed by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls vital functions such as your heart rate, breathing, and digestion—things that happen automatically, without you thinking about them. The ANS has two main branches:

1. Sympathetic Nervous System: Often called the "fight or flight" system, this kicks in when you're under stress or in danger. It increases your heart rate, makes you more alert, and prepares your body to either confront the threat or escape from it.

2. Parasympathetic Nervous System: This is the "rest and digest" system, responsible for calming your body down after the threat has passed. It helps you relax, digest food, and restore your energy.

Triggers and How They Affect You

A trigger is anything that reminds you of a past experience, especially one that was stressful or traumatic. When you're triggered, your sympathetic nervous system may activate, even if the current situation isn’t actually dangerous. This can happen frequently in our relationships and in our experiences with sexuality, where many of us carry wounds or insecurities from the past.

For instance, you might find that when your partner doesn’t respond to you in the way you expect, you suddenly feel anxious, rejected, or even unloved. This is because your brain is trying to make sense of the nervous system's activation by drawing on past experiences. Unfortunately, this can lead to negative thought patterns and behaviors that don’t serve you.

Why a Positive Relationship with Your Body Matters

When your nervous system is triggered, it can be hard to see things clearly. You might misinterpret your partner’s actions, or even your own feelings, leading to unnecessary stress and conflict. Building a positive relationship with your body means learning to recognize when this stress response is happening and responding with compassion rather than judgment.

By tuning into your body’s signals—such as a racing heart or tense muscles—you can create a moment of pause. In that pause, you have the opportunity to challenge any negative thoughts and choose a response that is more in line with your true self, rather than a reaction driven by past trauma or fear.

How We Can Help

As a therapy practice offering both in-person and online sessions in Orlando, FL, the focus at Expansive Counseling is on helping individuals understand their triggers, explore the origins of their stress responses, and develop strategies to build a more positive relationship with their bodies. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply seeking a safe and affirming space to explore your emotions, we’re here to support you on your journey.

Together, we can work on mindfulness techniques, grounding exercises, and exploring the underlying beliefs that may be driving your stress responses. Over time, you’ll learn to move from a state of reactivity to one of intentionality, where you can make choices that truly reflect who you are and what you value.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to start building a more positive relationship with your body and improving your overall well-being, I invite you to reach out. Whether you prefer in-person sessions in Orlando or the convenience of online therapy, we’re here to help you navigate this journey with compassion and understanding. Let’s work together to help you feel more secure, confident, and connected in your life and relationships.