Issue No. 9: Do you watch TV while you clean?

Struggle to enjoy your free time?

Hi readers,

I’ve been traveling a lot lately, and even though much of it has been exciting, I have felt more on edge than usual.

Being away from my normal routine reminds me how much I rely on it. Regular meals, familiar surroundings, enough sleep, and simply knowing what the day will look like make a real difference for me.

At the same time, I’ve noticed how easily I can turn taking care of myself into another job.

I almost never watch TV without folding laundry, cleaning something, or answering emails. If I go for a walk, I put on a podcast and want to get my steps in. If I have a quiet moment, I immediately think of something “useful” I could be doing.

I struggle to let enjoyment be enough.

I recently spoke with Dr. David Clarke, one of Nervana’s clinical advisors, about this. I told him that doing something for the sole reason that it brings me joy does not come naturally to me. I am much more comfortable doing, striving, solving, or helping someone else.

We talked about joy as an important part of healing, rather than something to postpone until all the useful things are finished.

Of course, I can already imagine turning “more joy” into another item on my schedule and then grading myself on how well I did it. That would miss the point.

Routine and self-care matter to me, especially when I am feeling unsettled. But I want them to support my life, not become another measure of how well I am performing.

Sometimes a show can just be a show. A walk can be a walk, without tracking it or learning something. I can spend time with someone because I enjoy them, without thinking about what I should accomplish next.

This is something I am still learning: I do not need to earn rest by being productive first, and I do not need to justify joy by making it useful.

Is there something you genuinely enjoy that has no productive purpose? I would love to hear it.

More free Nervana resources

We have also created several free resources for people who are curious about nervous-system work but are not sure where to begin:

• A free nine-question symptom quiz to help you notice patterns sometimes seen in mind-body and neuroplastic symptoms. It is educational, not diagnostic, and was adapted from the ATNS public self-quiz.

• A practical guide on how to regulate your nervous system, including a 60-second reset and seven gentle tools.

• A guide to chronic back pain and the mind-body connection, including how the back, brain, stress, and nervous system can interact.

• A guide exploring stress and brain fog, including other possible contributors and practical next steps to discuss with your medical team.

You can find these, along with our printable guides, articles, and past newsletters, on the Nervana website.

A few quick Nervana updates

We have also released several updates based directly on what Nervana members have asked for:

• Nervana is now available in Spanish, including the app interface, chat coaching, and voice coaching. Go to Profile → Language → Spanish to switch.

• You can choose your Coach voice. Go to Profile → Coach voice to preview different voice options.

• Eligible customers can use HSA/FSA funds to pay for the annual plan through Opus Health. If the option is available to you, you will see Pay with HSA/FSA at checkout.

• You can save or print more of your insights, including your Session Analysis and evidence list, in addition to transcripts and action items.

As always, if there is something that would make Nervana easier, more accessible, or more supportive for you, please reply and let me know. I read every message, and your feedback really does shape what we build next.

Best,
Nora

Founder & CEO, Nervana

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