--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we feel overwhelmed, our nervous…" description: "\"“If we feel overwhelmed, our nervous systems drive us to defend against overstimulation and preserve the self. To grasp this concept requires a paradig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/sharon-heller-277547_motivation_if-we-feel-overwhelmed-our-nervous-syste_705697.jpg" --- # If we feel overwhelmed, our nervous systems drive us to… ![“If we feel overwhelmed, our nervous systems drive us to defend against overstimulation and preserve the self. To grasp this concept requires a paradigm shift from viewing behavior as primarily psychologically motivated to seeing it as an end product of sensory processing. What” quote by Sharon Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/sharon-heller-277547_motivation_if-we-feel-overwhelmed-our-nervous-syste_705697.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/sharon-heller-277547_motivation_if-we-feel-overwhelmed-our-nervous-syste_705697.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/sharon-heller-277547_motivation_if-we-feel-overwhelmed-our-nervous-syste_705697.jpg) > ““If we feel overwhelmed, our nervous systems drive us to defend against overstimulation and preserve the self. To grasp this concept requires a paradigm shift from viewing behavior as primarily psychologically motivated to seeing it as an end product of sensory processing. What”” [Sharon Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-heller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overwhelm triggers defensive nervous responses; seeing behavior as sensory‑processing outcome shifts perspective. **In simple terms:** Overwhelm causes defense; view behavior as sensory output. Key Takeaway Reframe stress as sensory processing. Themes stress defense neuroscience behavior paradigm shift Mood analytical empathetic Type Motivation:1 Paradigm shift:1 Feel Overwhelmed:1 Psychologically Motivated:0 Defend Overstimulation:1 Sensory Processing:1 Overstimulation Preserve:0 When to use this quote - workplace pressure - social anxiety - personal health Key Concepts psychology neuroscience cognitive science Questions to Reflect On - How does sensory processing shape reactions? - What strategies help shift perception? A Different Perspective Sensory view may overlook emotional context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defend Overstimulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-overstimulation-5577351/) [Feel Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-overwhelmed/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Overstimulation Preserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overstimulation-preserve-5577353/) [Paradigm shift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradigm-shift/) [Psychologically Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychologically-motivated-4252817/) [Sensory Processing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensory-processing-5577352/) ## Related quotes > [What do we need all that for?”If a picture is psychologically motivated, if there is truth in the relationship in it, then I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dean/what-do-we-need-all-that-for-if-a-picture-is-psychologically/) [James Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dean/) > [I suspect most politicians feel overwhelmed because people's lives are a real struggle, full of unhappiness, and you would probably feel powerless to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-suspect-most-politicians-feel-overwhelmed-because-people-s-lives/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [Often when people are diagnosed with a life-changing medical condition, they feel overwhelmed. 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It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/always-look-for-positivity-in-every-encounter-in-every-challenge-and/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [I know that each of us has much to do. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the tasks we face. But if we keep our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/i-know-that-each-of-us-has-much-to-do-sometimes-we-feel-overwhelmed/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [It's okay to be annoyed with your significant other and feel overwhelmed at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn-bristowe/it-s-okay-to-be-annoyed-with-your-significant-other-and-feel/) [Kaitlyn Bristowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlyn-bristowe/) > [Dont worry about anything. When you feel yourself being overwhelmed by fears and concerns, pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-worry-about-anything-when-you-feel-yourself-being-overwhelmed-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes getting something off your chest to someone else is an important step in coping - so you know that you're not alone, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/sometimes-getting-something-off-your-chest-to-someone-else-is-an/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) ## More Motivation quotes > [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. 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