---
title: "Being Gentle with Yourself: Rewire Your Nervous System for Healing"
description: Discover how embracing gentleness can support nervous system healing, break old patterns, and create space for sustainable transformation.
image: https://heidirimstad.com/hubfs/Being%20Gentle%20=%20Growing.png
---

[Skip to content](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing#main-content)

[![Light From Within - Connect - Integrate - Shine](https://heidirimstad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%202.png?width=250&height=250&name=Logo%202.png)](https://heidirimstad.com/)

- [About](https://heidirimstad.com/about)
- Services
  
  Show submenu for {{ link.label }} 
  
    - [Counseling](https://heidirimstad.com/liminal-space-counseling-services)
    - [Reiki](https://heidirimstad.com/reiki)
    - [End of Life Doula](https://heidirimstad.com/end-of-life-doula)
    - [Consulting](https://heidirimstad.com/consulting)
- [Blog](https://heidirimstad.com/blog)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [About](https://heidirimstad.com/about)
- Services
  
  Show submenu for {{ link.label }} 
  
    - [Counseling](https://heidirimstad.com/liminal-space-counseling-services)
    - [Reiki](https://heidirimstad.com/reiki)
    - [End of Life Doula](https://heidirimstad.com/end-of-life-doula)
    - [Consulting](https://heidirimstad.com/consulting)
- [Blog](https://heidirimstad.com/blog)
- [Contact Heidi](https://heidirimstad.com/contact)

[Contact Heidi](https://heidirimstad.com/contact)

 Aug 4, 2025 7:45:00 AM

# The Art and Importance of Being Gentle

[Heidi Rimstad](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/author/heidi-rimstad)

Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing) [X Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing)

![Being Gentle = Growing](https://heidirimstad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Being%20Gentle%20=%20Growing.png?width=2240&height=1260&name=Being%20Gentle%20=%20Growing.png)I recently went to the chiropractor for what I had self-diagnosed as sciatica, cortisol overload, or the early signs of needing a total hip replacement. (Turns out, it *was* sciatica—so no, I can’t blame peri-menopause, and thankfully, I don’t need surgery. Also, my doctor kindly reminded me that my Instagram “experts” might not always be the most reliable. Who knew? Haha.)

As we discussed treatment options and exercises I could do at home to ease the nerve pain, he instructed me to sit upright and lift my leg. The dutiful patient that I am—trained in the “no pain, no gain” mindset—I raised my leg high, wincing through the discomfort. He quickly corrected me: “Lift your leg until you feel pain—then lower it.”

What?!

“I want this to be *gentle*,” he added.

Double what!?

At first, I was dumbfounded. But then...it clicked. Gentle. *Of course.*

In Brianna Wiest’s book *The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery*, she writes, “Small shifts, compounded over time, can result in permanent baseline adjustments” (p. 18). That line echoed in my head as I realized I’m in the middle of rewiring two deep-rooted patterns:

1. The reflex to overachieve, push through, and “do more”—even at the cost of ignoring what my body is telling me, often to appear cooperative, productive, or “healthy” to others.
2. The need to create space in my nervous system for new messages—messages that support healing, wholeness, and long-term well-being.

*Gentle* is not weak. It’s powerful.

Gentle is where true and lasting change begins.

I see this all the time in therapy when a client has a breakthrough and then feels frustrated it “took so long” to arrive. Or in Reiki sessions, when someone touches into deep peace, only to beat themselves up for not being able to stay in that state.

I always say: if we learned everything in one dramatic moment, we’d be overwhelmed. We wouldn’t be able to integrate it. Lasting change requires pace, space, and patience. That’s the gift of gentleness—it gives us the ability to gradually raise our baseline tolerance and create space for sustainable transformation.

## **So here’s my invitation to you:**

Take a moment to reflect on where gentleness could be infused into your life. Start by simply *noticing*. Awareness often reveals patterns. And once you see the pattern, you can begin to gently shift—whether in your doing, thinking, feeling, or being.

If you’d like support in learning how to infuse more gentleness into your life, [reach out](https://heidirimstad.com/contact), I’m here to help.

[Growth Mindset](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/growth-mindset), [Empowerment](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/empowerment), [Personal Growth](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/personal-growth), [Well-being](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/well-being), [Self-compassion](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-compassion), [Inner Child Healing](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/inner-child-healing)

## Related posts

[![Squirrel in nature, representing mindfulness and preparing for the future with intention.](https://heidirimstad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Be%20Like%20a%20Squirrel%20Preparing%20for%20Your%20Future%20Self%20(5).png?height=200&name=Be%20Like%20a%20Squirrel%20Preparing%20for%20Your%20Future%20Self%20(5).png)](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/be-like-a-squirrel-preparing-for-winter-supporting-your-future-self)

[Mental Health](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/mental-health), [Growth Mindset](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/growth-mindset), [Work-life Balance](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/work-life-balance), [Empowerment](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/empowerment), [Self-worth](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-worth), [Personal Growth](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/personal-growth), [Well-being](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/well-being), [Self-compassion](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-compassion), [Self-care](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-care)

## [Be Like a Squirrel: Preparing for Your Future Self](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/be-like-a-squirrel-preparing-for-winter-supporting-your-future-self)

[Heidi Rimstad](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/author/heidi-rimstad) 

 Sep 15, 2025 8:15:00 AM

Lately I’ve been asking myself: how can I make things easier for the version of me I’ll be in...

[Read more](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/be-like-a-squirrel-preparing-for-winter-supporting-your-future-self)

[![A single flower growing through a crack in concrete steps, symbolizing resilience, authenticity, and self-compassion in challenging environments.](https://heidirimstad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/Flower%20growing%20in%20steps.png?height=200&name=Flower%20growing%20in%20steps.png)](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/honoring-your-truth-a-guide-to-self-compassion-and-boundaries)

[Mental Health](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/mental-health), [Work-life Balance](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/work-life-balance), [Empowerment](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/empowerment), [Personal Growth](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/personal-growth), [Boundaries](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/boundaries), [Self-compassion](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-compassion)

## [No More Lying: Honoring Your Truth with Self-compassion](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/honoring-your-truth-a-guide-to-self-compassion-and-boundaries)

[Heidi Rimstad](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/author/heidi-rimstad) 

 Jun 1, 2025 8:45:01 AM

Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever I grew up in a household—and a society—where the “suck it...

[Read more](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/honoring-your-truth-a-guide-to-self-compassion-and-boundaries)

[![](https://heidirimstad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20I%20Really%20Mean%20When%20I%20Say%2c%20%E2%80%9CI%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Make%20You%20Feel%20Anything%E2%80%9D.png?height=200&name=What%20I%20Really%20Mean%20When%20I%20Say%2c%20%E2%80%9CI%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Make%20You%20Feel%20Anything%E2%80%9D.png)](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/what-i-dont-make-you-feel-anything-really-means)

[Mental Health](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/mental-health), [Empowerment](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/empowerment), [Personal Growth](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/personal-growth), [Boundaries](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/boundaries), [Self-compassion](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/self-compassion), [Emotional Responsibility](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/tag/emotional-responsibility)

## [What I Really Mean When I Say, “I Don’t Make You Feel Anything”](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/what-i-dont-make-you-feel-anything-really-means)

[Heidi Rimstad](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/author/heidi-rimstad) 

 Oct 20, 2025 3:04:24 PM

“The right decision doesn’t always feel good.” “The high road is a lonely road.” “I don’t make you...

[Read more](https://heidirimstad.com/blog/what-i-dont-make-you-feel-anything-really-means)

[Follow me on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lightfromwithin.llc/) [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557893935611) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-rimstad-ms-lmft-35a1aa95/)

- [Privacy Policy](https://heidirimstad.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://heidirimstad.com/terms-and-conditions)

© 2025 Heidi Rimstad, Light From Within, LLC and Liminal Space Counseling Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute public information, individualized medical or counseling advice, or establish a client relationship of any kind. Users should not rely solely on this website; professional advice should always be sought. We disclaim any liability for errors or omissions in the information provided. We take appropriate measures to safeguard personal information. By using this website, you consent to our terms and conditions.

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Heidi Rimstad",
    "url" : "https://heidirimstad.com/blog/author/heidi-rimstad"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-08-04T12:45:01.021Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-08-04T12:45:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Being Gentle with Yourself: Rewire Your Nervous System for Healing",
  "image" : [ "https://heidirimstad.com/hubfs/Being%20Gentle%20=%20Growing.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://heidirimstad.com/blog/being-gentle-with-yourself-rewire-your-nervous-system-for-healing",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://heidirimstad.com/hubfs/Logo%202.png"
    },
    "name" : "Light From Within / Liminal Space Counseling Services"
  }
}
```