As a mom—whether you’re in those tender early postpartum months or further down the road—feeling “on” all the time can feel like your new normal.

Your brain has a hard time turning off. You’re constantly scanning—listening for the baby, remembering that school form, trying to figure out what’s for dinner… again. Your body feels tense, your shoulders creep up to your ears, and no matter how tired you are, you just can’t slow down.

This is your sympathetic nervous system at work, stuck in that “fight or flight” mode. It’s what makes you feel edgy, restless, and like you have to keep going.

In those early postpartum days, this might look like:

• Lying in bed, exhausted, but your mind racing as you listen for every tiny sound your baby makes.
• Holding tension in your neck, jaw, or pelvic floor without even realizing it.

And later on, it might show up as:

• Never being able to fully relax, even during downtime, because your mental to-do list won’t stop.
• Feeling overstimulated after a long day of noise, mess, and mom-life chaos.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in this state.

A simple tool—Alternate Nostril Breathing—can help you calm your nervous system, reduce that “on edge” feeling, and reconnect with your body.

What is Alternate Nostril Breathing?

Alternate Nostril Breathing (or Nadi Shodhana in yoga) is a gentle breathwork practice that helps shift your body out of “fight or flight” mode and into a state of calm. By balancing your breath through each nostril, it soothes your mind, relaxes your body, and gives your nervous system the reset it needs.

 Why this matters for moms: 

When your nervous system is constantly “on,” it impacts more than just your mental state:

• Your pelvic floor holds tension, making it harder to relax and heal properly.
• Your sleep suffers—you’re wired but tired, unable to get the deep rest your body craves.
• Over time, this stress can lead to physical symptoms like pain, headaches, and poor core function.

The best part? Breathing techniques like Alternate Nostril Breathing are simple, quick, and incredibly effective. Just a few minutes can calm your body, release tension, and help you feel more like you again.

When to use this practice: 

• During those middle-of-the-night wakeups when your brain won’t turn off.
• After a day of juggling kids, laundry, and a million other things.
• Before bed, to release tension and prepare for deeper rest.
• Anytime you feel overstimulated, anxious, or just need to press pause.

Take 5 Minutes to Reset

If you’re feeling stretched thin, anxious, or teetering on the edge of burnout, this practice is for you.

I’ve created a quick, guided video to walk you through Alternate Nostril Breathing—so you don’t have to think, plan, or figure it out on your own. Just press play, follow along, and let your breath do the work.