Regulate to Elevate Your Nervous System as a Restaurant Professional
By Corelens
After spending many years in the restaurant industry, I’ve noticed a common and unfortunate pattern, not only in others but also in myself.
The epidemic of unregulated nervous system affecting staff at every level, from the back of the house to the front!
I’ve listened to chefs aggressively yell through the kitchen over the years—even heard of one throwing a steak at a wall. It reminds me of the series The Bear, starring Jeremy Allen White and Jamie Lee Curtis.
I watched through the second season, but had to take a break because of the intensity and all the yelling.
My nervous system felt hijacked, reminding me of the time a chef scolded me for ringing in the wrong steak for a set party menu —” Why the fuck are you ringing the fillet mignon, and not the New York striploin?”
I stood there frozen and replied that it was actually another employee ringing in the party.
Years ago, I found myself caught in conflicts with coworkers that escalated into emotional outbursts. At one point, I got fired from a previous restaurant because I didn’t know how to respond professionally.
It wasn’t entirely my fault; I never walked into the shift looking to fight with others. But the reality was that I was attracting other employees with unregulated nervous systems. Put enough of us in a high-stress environment, and it was only a matter of time before things exploded like an atomic bomb.
Fast-forward a few years: I found myself in the same repetitive cycle, but this time my awareness of my own behaviour shone through before any firing could occur.
I took myself into therapy and disconnected from colleagues, spending the next 6 months doing the “inner work,” digging deep into my own inner conflict so I could learn to show up as a professional.
The difference? My nervous system is rewiring, and I’m naturally learning to stay calm and not react at the first sign of conflict. It’s not something that changes overnight, but the first step is to become aware of your own behaviour.
Nervous system basics
Your autonomic nervous system is essentially your body’s internal command center. It influences everything from your hormones and immune system to digestion, mood, sleep, and much more.
There are two primary branches:
Sympathetic Nervous System: Also known as the fight-or-flight response, this branch prepares your body to respond to stress. Think of it as your internal gas pedal—speeding things up so you can react quickly to challenges.
Parasympathetic Nervous System: Known as the rest-and-digest mode, this branch helps your body slow down, recover, and return to balance. It’s your built-in brake pedal, supporting calm, clarity, and stability.
Nervous system dysregulation occurs when the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems become imbalanced, potentially triggered by chronic stress, overwork, unresolved trauma, poor sleep, or even exposure to toxins.
When the sympathetic system becomes overactive, stress hormones surge, often resulting in anxiety, irritability, and a constant sense of being on edge.
Conversely, when the parasympathetic system dominates too strongly, the body can slip into a shutdown state—leaving you feeling drained, unmotivated, or emotionally flat.
When these two systems are working in sync, your body operates from a place of balance and resilience.
You’re able to handle stress when it arises, then naturally return to a state of calm once the moment has passed. Your energy feels steady, your mood is more stable, and your digestion, sleep, and focus all function more smoothly.
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When industry professionals take time to nourish and calm their nervous systems, it creates a better work environment for everyone.
In my latest free downloadable PDF, I offer practical tips for a healthy, flexible nervous system that shifts from survival mode to safety with ease.
Nervous System Regulation Guide
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