Feeling On Edge All the Time? Your Nervous System Might Be Asking for Help
If you’re someone who feels constantly overwhelmed, easily overstimulated, or like you just can’t fully relax—your nervous system may be stuck in survival mode.
This is especially common for people who are neurodivergent (ADHD, autism, sensory processing sensitivity, OCD, etc.), living with anxiety, healing from trauma, or navigating chronic pain or illness.
One approach that’s gaining attention for its gentle, body-based support is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)—a listening therapy that helps calm the nervous system and restore a sense of safety and connection in the body.
Let’s explore what it is, how it works, and why so many people are finding relief through it.
What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a nervous system regulation tool created by Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of Polyvagal Theory.
It uses specially filtered music, delivered through headphones, to stimulate the vagal nerve—which plays a huge role in helping your body feel safe, calm, and connected.
SSP doesn’t require talking, diving into hard emotions, or doing anything physically intense. You simply listen to music that’s been scientifically designed to shift your body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a more regulated state.
Who Can Benefit from SSP?
SSP is helpful for a wide range of people, including those who:
Are neurodivergent and struggle with sensory overload or emotional dysregulation
Experience chronic anxiety, stress, or panic
Are healing from trauma, including developmental or relational trauma
Live with chronic pain or chronic illness
Have trouble with interoception—the ability to notice internal cues like hunger, tension, or emotions
Feel disconnected, shut down, or hyper-aware of their surroundings
How SSP Helps
1. It Supports Nervous System Regulation
Many people live in a constant state of “on edge”—stuck in survival mode without realizing it. SSP helps shift the nervous system into a state of safety and rest, allowing the body to let go of chronic tension and hypervigilance.
“After SSP, I finally felt like I could breathe and be present in my body.”
2. It Reduces Sensory Overwhelm
For those with sensory sensitivities, SSP helps the brain better filter and tolerate sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights, or busy environments. This can lead to fewer shutdowns, meltdowns, or episodes of sensory overload.
“Noise doesn’t send me into panic anymore—I feel more in control.”
3. It Improves Interoception
SSP strengthens the body’s ability to tune into internal signals. This means you’re more likely to notice when you’re hungry, tired, anxious, or tense—before it spirals into burnout or shutdown.
“I can actually tell when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, and I can do something about it.”
4. It Enhances Emotional Regulation
When your body feels safe, your brain works better. SSP often leads to fewer emotional outbursts, improved focus, better sleep, and a deeper ability to respond instead of react.
Why It Works So Well for Neurodivergence, Trauma & More
SSP isn’t about fixing or forcing change. It meets your nervous system where it’s at and gently invites it into a new way of being—one that’s grounded, present, and connected.
This makes it especially powerful for people who’ve tried talk therapy or mindfulness but still feel stuck. When your body doesn’t feel safe, it’s hard for your brain to process, learn, or heal.
Interested in Trying SSP?
I (Cammie Terry, LPC, NCC) offer Somatic Healing Sessions that incorporate the Safe and Sound Protocol, designed for neurodivergent adults and teens, trauma survivors, and those managing anxiety, chronic pain, or sensory issues.
Let’s support your nervous system in a way that’s gentle, non-invasive, and deeply effective.
