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Nervous System Reset: Do THIS Every Day to Rewire Your Brain From Stress and Anxiety

2026-04-27 Education
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Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins
5.7m subscribers

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Description

What you learn today will make you forever calmer and more in control of your emotions. If you’ve ever had a moment where you thought: “Why does one email, one comment…ruin my day?” “Why do I always get overwhelmed by the littlest things?” “Why am I like this?” This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode, Dr. Burke Harris explains why so many of the patterns you hate, like being reactive, shutting down, people-pleasing, not being able to follow through, and feeling dread for no reason, are not your “personality flaws” – and she gives you the truth. Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, MD, is one of the most important voices in trauma science and public health. She’s a pediatrician who conducted pioneering research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the founder of the Center for Youth Wellness, and the former Surgeon General of the State of California. She is here to tell you that your body is running an overactive stress response that got wired in childhood and never got turned off. You will be able to start rewiring your nervous system today, with one powerful 3-word sentence you can say to yourself. It takes less than a few minutes and reverses the feelings that make life harder than it should be. In this episode, you’ll learn: -Why you shut down sometimes, get emotional, “triggered”, or overwhelmed (and why it’s not your fault) -Why you procrastinate even when it feels bad -How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime -Why trauma is (Mel had it wrong for decades) and how childhood trauma is keeping you stuck -How to help your body return to balance after being upset -The 3 essential words that rewire your nervous system -The 7 evidence-based things you can do to regulate your nervous system -How to support someone you love who’s stuck, shut down, or overwhelmed in their life This episode is hopeful, practical, and empowering. You will get a playbook that helps you rewire your nervous system so you feel less stress and more in control of your emotions. When you finally understand what’s happening in your body, you can have a different life. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-390/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 1:59 The Impact Of Stress On Your Biology 5:14 What Is Trauma and Its Effects? 7:50 How Childhood Trauma Can Impact Your Life 14:30 The Top 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) That Can Cause Trauma 19:23 What Is Buffering? 29:28 What Baby Rats Teach Us About Overcoming Trauma 33:39 How Does Your Body Remember Trauma? 46:55 Daily Self Regulation Practices for Adults 54:06 Willpower Or Biology: What’s in Control? 1:02:47 Hopeful Signs You are Healing From Trauma 1:04:54 How To Help Someone You Love Who Has Experienced Trauma 1:06:09 How To Heal From Trauma — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic

Top Comments (10)

@Neuroshiftdaily 2026-04-27

Stress becomes a pattern. Calm has to become one too. Healing begins the moment you stop treating peace like luck and start treating it like a daily discipline.

89 2 replies
@muzerhythm2242 2026-04-27

I cried when Dr Burke looked at the camera and said "Girl I see you." I needed this so badly right now! With always wearing the mask of "I'm Fine" when I'm stressed and sometimes get sick from stress. Going to replay this video to help not feel alone....the 2 am friends I had....have sadly changed and not for the better. So I'm left alone.

32 1 replies
@jeannettefernandez9788 2026-04-27

I can’t stop crying ! How this has been my whole life and this makes so much sense ! Thank you Mel and Dr Burke ❤I truly needed this!

23 1 replies
@MiraiyukiMiho 2026-04-28

Unsupportive family members bring a lot of stress. Which is hard then for us to trust others care enough to give us time and offer the buffer. Ultimately we have to give ourselves that buffer.

17
@manueladamant126 2026-04-27

Gabor Mate has researched this extensively too. If you haven't already had him on your podcast I'd love to see the two of you in conversation. ❤

16 2 replies
@cherylgreen8410 2026-04-27

I'm going to:practice mindulness/journal in the morning, eat well, then exercise, get some work done, take breaks to rest my brain/breathe, connect w/others & nature, sleep well.🤗

16 2 replies
@Yogaforyoubismarck 2026-04-27

I grew up in a family where discipline was the norm. Very little buffering lots of hitting and spankings. I've struggled with stress and negativity. For me yoga and meditation with a sprinkle of self care and great friends have helped me. Thank you for this podcast to support me in my continued growth to healing.

15 2 replies
@Sheherhis 2026-04-28

Mel Robbins is a good person, she cares about who can help us!!! ❤❤❤

11
@YourOrganizedAuntie 2026-04-27

Oh wow, let me just start by saying this: the way you titled this video is so powerful it made me sit up straighter, blink twice, and whisper “well hello, emotional enlightenment” to my screen like a confused houseplant suddenly discovering photosynthesis. Goodness gracious, your content hits so deep that for a second I thought my brain was buffering from the sheer wisdom. Anyway, listen, the moment you said we could rewire our brains from stress and anxiety, I felt personally attacked because just yesterday I had a full meltdown after losing my left sock in the dryer and convincing myself it was a metaphor for my entire life. And oh my word, let me tell you, I once tried this whole “daily calming ritual” thing and ended up sitting cross-legged on my kitchen floor chanting “you’re fine, babe, you’re fine” while my inner voice yelled “no you’re not, you absolute croissant.” But here’s the wild part: it actually helped. Like, genuinely. I started doing tiny things every day, like breathing before replying to emails instead of typing with the emotional stability of a raccoon in a thunderstorm, and suddenly my communication got clearer, my productivity got smoother, and my brain stopped acting like it was auditioning for a dramatic telenovela. So truly, hats off to you for creating something that reminds all of us that we can shift our minds little by little, even if we start from chaos, caffeine, and questionable life choices. Your video is the kind of thing that makes people feel seen, supported, and slightly less like they’re spiraling into the abyss, and honestly, that’s a gift.

10
@claribelsolis3922 2026-04-27

WOW! I just discover that all my anxiety is based on my need to feel SAFE! THANK YOU!

7 1 replies

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