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Calm Your Nervous System: Simple Daily Practices for When You're Wired, Hangry, or Too Busy to Rest | Nadia Narain & Katia Narain Phillips

10% Happier with Dan Harris

Hosted by Dan Harris

55m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode of the 10% Happier Podcast features host Dan Harris in conversation with yoga teacher Nadia Narain and body worker Katya Narain Phillips, authors of the book Glimmers: Tiny Moments to Transform Your Life. The guests explain autonomic nervous system basics, distinguishing between sympathetic fight-or-flight states, parasympathetic rest-and-digest states, and the danger of numbness masquerading as relaxation. They argue that instead of aiming for constant calm, the goal is building nervous system flexibility and resilience to handle life's challenges. Throughout the conversation, the guests share practical somatic tools—such as glimmer check-ins, jaw tension release, shaking off excess energy, and slowing down daily chores—to help listeners regulate their nervous systems and counteract the negativity bias.

  • Build nervous system flexibility rather than trying to stay calm all the time. 1:50
  • Notice the physical sensations of a glimmer to help settle your nervous system. 18:06
  • Release facial tension by placing your tongue in your cheek and massaging your jaw. 22:45
  • Shake out excess energy physically to reset your body after a stressful event. 28:25
  • Practice saying no to small things to build boundaries and protect your capacity. 55:35

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Intro and Guest Overview

    Dan Harris introduces the episode, the guests Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips, and outlines the focus on simple nervous system regulation practices.

  2. 0:53
    Nervous System 101 and Glimmers Concept

    Nadia explains the basics of the autonomic nervous system and introduces the book’s core ideas of glimmers and triggers as ways to build nervous system flexibility.

  3. 4:20
    Facial Tension Release Technique

    Nadia teaches a simple tongue‑in‑cheek and jaw‑massage routine to relieve facial tension and promote body awareness.

  4. 5:26
    Shake It Off Movement

    Katia shares a dynamic shaking exercise to vent excess energy and reset the nervous system after stress.

  5. 6:24
    Visual Field Expansion Practice

    The hosts explain how widening visual focus can signal safety to the nervous system and reduce anxiety.

  6. 17:30
    Glimmer Check‑In Exercise

    Katia demonstrates a quick practice of noticing a positive moment to shift the nervous system toward calm and openness.

  7. 33:23
    Daily Chores as Mindful Practice

    They discuss turning routine chores into slow, attentive moments to cultivate calm and presence.

  8. 47:02
    Eating, Hydration, and Restful Habits

    Nadia and Katia emphasize mindful eating, staying hydrated, and recognizing individual rest needs to support nervous system health.

  9. 51:07
    Rest Beyond Sleep: Active and Creative Rest

    Dan and Nadia explore various forms of rest, including active movement and creative activities, to recharge the nervous system.

  10. 55:09
    Boundary Setting and Writing Practice

    The conversation turns to setting personal boundaries and a reflective writing exercise to prevent overwhelm and resentment.

  11. 56:15
  12. 57:11

Highlights

  • 1:50

    Nervous System Flexibility Over Calminsight

    The guest explains that the goal of nervous system work is not to remain permanently calm, but to build flexibility so you can handle challenging situations.

  • 2:45

    Triggers Stem from Childhoodinsight

    Triggers in adult life and intimate relationships often stem from unresolved protective mechanisms formed during childhood.

  • 5:40

    Dissociation as Counterfeit Restinsight

    The guests warn that numbing out through phone scrolling or zoning out can masquerade as parasympathetic rest and digest, but is actually a stress shutdown state.

  • 18:06

    Glimmer Check-In Practicestrategy

    A glimmer check-in involves bringing a positive memory or moment to mind and tuning into how it physically relaxes your body.

  • 22:45

    Releasing Jaw and Facial Tensionstrategy

    Holding your tongue in your cheek and massaging your jaw releases fascia and helps relax connected tension in the neck and shoulders.

  • 28:25

    Shaking Off Excess Stress Energystory

    Similar to animals after a threat, humans can gently shake their limbs or jump to discharge pent-up stress energy from the body.

  • 30:24

    Slowing Down Daily Choresstrategy

    Performing routine tasks like washing dishes or sweeping extremely slowly helps cultivate mindful presence and calm.

Quotes

  • “When life gets difficult, when things get challenging, we also can enjoy the parts of life that are enjoyable to live through.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:52
  • “When you have a trigger, you feel it in your breath, you feel it in your body, you feel it in your posture.”
    Unnamed speaker · 7:09
  • “We have a term now in this day and age called hangry.”
    Unnamed speaker · 47:59
  • “Rest is not just the reward you get for getting through your to do list.”
    Dan Harris · 51:07
  • “Reparenting is taking care of yourself in the way that you would like to do as a parent.”
    Unnamed speaker · 57:14
  • “I would love to cook them dinner and food and take care of them.”
    Unnamed speaker · 57:54
  • “That was, I was going to go there with the next one because I think that's a really, really important one.”
    Unnamed speaker · 59:34
  • Glimmers by Nadia Noreen and Katia Noreen Phillips 1:01:48–1:02:07
  • Rubrik 1:03:06–1:03:33
  • Mint Mobile 1:03:40–1:03:54
  • 4imprint 1:04:10–1:04:58

About this episode

A tongue-in-cheek jaw release, a 30-second shake-off, and a two-finger trick that tells your body it's safe. Plus: why scrolling feels relaxing but isn't. Nadia Narain https://www.nadianarain.com/ and Katia Narain Phillips https://www.katianarainphillips.com/ are the authors of the international bestsellers Self-Care for The Real World https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/self-care-for-the-real-world_9781419736773/ and Rituals for Every Day https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/16174?srsltid=AU7gw4VUI4ht1C-XNoXFMtXTySx6U_YBHSVlmv1Y9_5QvY-9hEgfv_la. Their most recent book, Glimmers: Tiny Moments to Transform Your Life https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/467932/glimmers-by-phillips-nadia-narain-and-katia-narain/9780241739426, was published in January 2026. In this episode we talk about: Why staying calm all the time isn't actually the goal The sneaky state that masquerades as rest How to find glimmers in even the most ordinary moments Why glimmers turn out to be contagious The odd little trick for releasing tension you didn't know you carried What animals know about stress that we've forgotten How your field of vision talks to your nervous system Why your chores might be a secret meditation practice What rushing does to even the best of intentions Why leaving dishes in the sink can be a sign of progress The overlooked basics behind so much everyday stress Why rest isn't one-size-fits-all What it means to reparent yourself Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here https://app.danharris.com/membership Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here http://www.danharris.com/ Follow Dan on social: Instagram https://bit.ly/3tGigG5, TikTok https://bit.ly/3FOA84J Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/3FybRzD This episode is sponsored by: Cash App: Download Cash App Today: click.cash.app/ui6m/oh9jnxlq https://click.cash.app/ui6m/oh9jnxlq #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N. A., pursuant to a license from Visa U. S. A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Planet Visionaries: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, listen to or watch Planet Visionaries wherever you get your podcasts. To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

Transcript

0:00
55:11

10,613 words · 4 speakers

Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

Topics

  • Wayfair
  • Cash App
  • Quince
  • Reparenting
  • Carrie
  • Prime Video
  • Planet Visionaries
  • Honold Foundation
  • Newton, Massachusetts
  • Florida

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