Is Your Nervous System Burned Out? Signs You’re in Sympathetic Overdrive
Jenny Siepka • July 20, 2025
Is Your Nervous System Burned Out? Signs You’re in Sympathetic Overdrive
🧠 Your Nervous System Might Be the Missing Link
Why Regulation — Not Just Relief — Is the Real Key to Healing
Every day, we see clients battling chronic stress, poor sleep, anxiety, gut issues, fatigue, and inflammation. What if the root of these problems lies not just in the symptoms — but in the way your nervous system is wired?
Let’s break it down.
⚖️ Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic — What’s the Difference?
Your nervous system has two main gears:
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Sympathetic ("Fight or Flight")
This system is designed for survival. It increases heart rate, pumps out stress hormones like cortisol, and prepares your body to react quickly. Great for emergencies... but not so great when it's always turned on.
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Parasympathetic ("Rest and Digest")
This system is all about recovery and repair. It supports digestion, sleep, hormone regulation, immune function, and healing.
Most people today are stuck in sympathetic overdrive — even if they don’t realize it. That means they’re walking around tense, inflamed, fatigued, and wired all the time.
🚨 What Happens When You're Out of Balance?
When your nervous system is dysregulated, you may experience:
- Trouble sleeping
- Brain fog
- Gut issues
- Anxiety or depression
- Hormonal imbalances
- Chronic inflammation or pain
It’s not just stress. It’s your body screaming for support.
And here's the truth: Most people don’t take the time for relaxation or recovery until it’s too late — when they’re already sick, struggling with autoimmune issues, or facing a chronic condition. That’s often when they finally walk through our doors.
Let’s start being proactive with our health — not just reactive.
💙 How Valley Cryo Can Help
At Valley Cryo, our therapies are intentionally selected to help shift your body back into parasympathetic mode — where real healing happens:
❄️ Cryotherapy – Triggers a positive stress response, followed by deep parasympathetic recovery
🔴 Redlight Therapy – Enhances mitochondrial function, reduces inflammation, and supports cellular repair
🧠 PEMF Therapy – Stimulates the vagus nerve and supports nervous system balance
🛌 Infrared Sauna – Promotes deep relaxation and detoxification while supporting cardiovascular and parasympathetic activity
✨ Lifestyle + Therapeutics = Real Change
Our treatments aren’t magic bullets — but when paired with mindful nutrition, movement, and emotional regulation, they work beautifully together.
Jenny doesn’t just treat symptoms — she helps you understand your whole system.
Let’s get you out of fight-or-flight — and into healing mode.
📍 Valley Cryo – Charlottesville, VA
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www.myvalleycryo.com
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(540) 217-2831
For many people living with chronic illness, the greatest burden isn’t just the symptoms — it’s the feeling of being trapped in fight-or-flight, unsafe in their own body, and often misunderstood or dismissed by those around them. At Valley Cryo, we’ve met countless clients who tell us the same thing: “I feel like I’m always on edge, my body doesn’t feel safe, and no one really gets it.” And the truth is — they’re right. Conditions like MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) and multiple chemical sensitivities are very real. These can develop from: Mold toxicity / CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) Chronic Lyme disease and co-infections Environmental toxin exposure Long-COVID and viral triggers Gut imbalances, histamine overload, and immune dysfunction Yet too often, those struggling are told it’s “all in their head.” This is gaslighting — and it leaves people isolated, discouraged, and in survival mode. 🔎 Trauma, the Nervous System, and Chronic Illness Research now shows that when you’ve experienced early childhood trauma, your nervous system is already wired to be more hypervigilant. Add chronic infection, mold illness, or toxic exposures, and the body becomes stuck in a constant state of alarm. That explains why: Smells or chemicals feel unbearable Your body overreacts to foods or medications Simple daily activities feel like battles You never fully “come down” into rest and safety 💙 At Valley Cryo, We Understand Here’s what we want you to know: you are not alone, and you are not crazy. We’ve walked with clients facing exactly these struggles, and we understand how hard it is to live in a body that feels like it’s working against you. That’s why our approach is never about replacing your medical care — it’s about complementing your existing treatment plan with therapies that help calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and support healing. 🌟 How Our Services Can Help ❄️ Cryotherapy → reduces inflammation and pain while giving your body a safe “reset” 🔴 Red Light Therapy → supports mitochondrial function, immune balance, and mood regulation 🌬 Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen → improves oxygen delivery and cellular repair 🔥 Infrared Sauna → promotes detoxification and lowers the burden of stored toxins 🧘 Compression & Recovery Tools → support circulation, relaxation, and grounding We work alongside you, not against you. Our goal is to create an environment where your body can begin to feel safe again. 🌿 Let’s Raise Awareness Together MCAS, chemical sensitivities, mold illness, and chronic Lyme are not rare, and they’re not imaginary. They deserve recognition, compassion, and community. At Valley Cryo, we’re committed to raising awareness and providing a space where your struggles are validated, and where healing feels possible. Because you deserve more than survival — you deserve to feel safe, supported, and understood.
❄️🔥 From Inflammation to Immunity: Your Seasonal Wellness Reset 💪✨ 🕰️ Why Now Is the Time to Recharge As the seasons shift, your body faces new challenges — changes in 🌡️ temperature, 🌬️ air quality, and increased exposure to 🦠 viruses & allergens. If your immune system isn’t primed, it’s easier to get run down, inflamed, or sick. At Valley Cryo, we help you hit the reset button with advanced recovery & biohacking tools — reducing inflammation, boosting circulation, and powering up your immune defense before the season takes its toll. 🚀 🔥➡️🛡️ The Inflammation–Immunity Connection When your body is stuck in low-grade inflammation from stress 😰, poor sleep 😴, or processed foods 🍔, your immune system gets overworked. That means it’s slower to fight off real threats. Reducing inflammation helps: 🧠 Free up immune resources ⚡ Boost daily energy 😌 Improve sleep & mood 🏃 Speed up recovery ❄️ Cryotherapy = Quick Reset In just 3 minutes in the cryo chamber: 💓 Circulation surges once you warm back up 😁 Endorphins rise, cortisol drops 🔧 Cellular repair switches on Cryo can help lower inflammatory markers, improve pain tolerance, and boost mood — all vital for immune resilience. 🔥 Heat Therapy Completes the Cycle Infrared or ozone sauna sessions: 💨 Increase circulation & oxygen delivery 💧 Promote detox through sweat 💤 Encourage deep relaxation Alternating cold & heat trains your body to adapt to stress — a concept called hormesis. 💡 Red Light = Cellular Power-Up Red light therapy penetrates deep into tissues to: 🔋 Recharge mitochondria 💎 Stimulate collagen for skin health 🛡️ Support immune cell function It’s like charging your body’s battery from the inside out. 📅 Your 4-Week Seasonal Reset Plan Week 1–4: ❄️ 2 Cryotherapy sessions/week 🔥 1–2 Sauna sessions/week 💡 1 Red Light session/week Most clients feel: ⚡ More energy 😴 Better sleep 🦵 Less aches & pains 🛡️ Stronger immunity 📞 Your Next Step Don’t wait until you’re feeling run down! Call us today and start your Seasonal Wellness Reset. 📞540-217-2831 🌐www.myvalleycryo.com 📍 Charlottesville, VA
🌟 From Sore to Strong: Why Recovery Isn’t Just for Athletes ❄️🔥 When you hear “recovery,” you probably think of athletes icing their knees after a big game 🏈. But here’s the truth — recovery is for everyone. 💻 You sit all day at work and your back is screaming. 👶 You’re chasing kids around and feel like you ran a marathon. 🏋️♀️ You finally get to the gym and push hard… only to feel wrecked for days. No matter your lifestyle, your body goes through wear and tear every single day — and without proper recovery, you end up sore, tired, and more prone to injury. 🧠 The Everyday Science of Recovery Your body is constantly repairing: Muscles 🦵 from lifting groceries, workouts, or even bad posture. Joints 🦴 from repetitive movements or stress. Energy systems ⚡ from mental and physical strain. When you skip recovery, small aches turn into chronic pain, and fatigue becomes your “new normal.” 🚀 Valley Cryo: Recovery for Real Life We’re not just here for elite athletes — we’re here for you. Our therapies are designed to help anyone feel better, faster: ❄️ Whole Body Cryotherapy – Eases inflammation & pain, boosts mood, and increases energy. 🔥 Infrared & Ozone Saunas – Support detox, improve circulation, and relax tight muscles. 💡 Full-Body Red Light Therapy – Recharges your mitochondria ⚡ (the batteries in your cells) for more energy and quicker healing. 💨 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – Helps tissues repair faster and boosts brain function. ⚡ Mitochondria = Energy for Life Your mitochondria don’t just fuel workouts — they power everything you do. When they’re stressed or sluggish, you feel it in every part of your life. Our treatments help keep them firing on all cylinders so you can tackle whatever your day throws at you. 🌟 Stronger Every Day You don’t have to be an athlete to recover like one. Give your body the care it needs before aches turn into injuries — and watch how much better you feel, move, and live. 💬 Come see us at Valley Cryo — recovery isn’t a luxury, it’s a game-changer.
Why Recovery Should Be as Important as Your Training We see it all the time at Valley Cryo. People — from UVA football players to weekend warriors — push themselves hard in the gym, on the field, or in competition. Unfortunately, too many focus solely on working out and training while forgetting the other half of the performance equation: recovery. And here’s the problem: When recovery is ignored, the body doesn’t get the chance to repair, recharge, and rebuild. Eventually, fatigue, inflammation, and micro-injuries pile up… and then you’re forced to rest because you’re hurt. That’s when many people finally come to Valley Cryo — but by then, healing can take much longer than it would have with proactive recovery habits. The elites know better. Professional and high-level athletes understand that recovery and rest are just as important as training itself. They schedule recovery sessions the same way they schedule workouts — because they know that’s how you get stronger, faster, and more resilient. How Valley Cryo Helps You Recover Smarter At Valley Cryo, we offer cutting-edge recovery tools that go beyond simple rest days. These aren’t just “feel good” treatments — they support your body on a cellular level, helping you recover faster and perform better. Whole Body Cryotherapy – Rapidly reduces inflammation, decreases muscle soreness, and accelerates tissue repair so you can get back to training sooner. Infrared & Ozone Saunas – Boost circulation, promote detoxification, and help muscles stay supple and ready for action. Full-Body Red Light Therapy – Stimulates mitochondrial function (your cells’ energy factories) to speed up healing and recovery from the inside out. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – Increases oxygen delivery to muscles, joints, and the brain, enhancing recovery and mental clarity. The Mitochondria Connection Your mitochondria are your body’s energy powerhouses — the tiny organelles that produce ATP, the fuel your muscles and brain run on. Hard training can deplete and stress mitochondria. Our treatments, especially red light therapy and cold exposure, stimulate mitochondrial function, helping you recover not just faster — but stronger. Train Hard. Recover Harder. The difference between average athletes and elite performers isn’t just how hard they train — it’s how smart they recover. Don’t wait until you’re injured to start prioritizing recovery. Make it part of your routine now, so you can train at your peak, avoid setbacks, and keep doing what you love without interruption. Come see us at Valley Cryo and experience the same recovery strategies that keep elite athletes in the game.
You Can’t Biohack Your Way Out of a Bad Night’s Sleep Let’s be honest: You’re tired. Not “oh I stayed up too late once” tired. We’re talking bone-deep, brain-foggy, irritable, nothing-works tired. But you’ve got stuff to do — so you reach for: ☕ More caffeine 🧠 Another nootropic 💊 A gummy 💧 A supplement stack the size of your bathroom drawer And still… you’re exhausted. Here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud: 👉 You can’t out-supplement bad sleep. 👉 You can’t out-hustle it. 👉 You can’t out-biohack it either. 😵💫 Tired Is the New Normal — But It Shouldn’t Be Modern life is stacked against sleep: – Late-night screens 🔵 – Stress that won’t quit 😰 – Blood sugar swings 🍬 – Hormone shifts (hello perimenopause 👋) – Inflammation that keeps your brain and body in “fight or flight” all night long 🧨 Even when you do sleep, you might wake up feeling like you barely shut your eyes. 🛌 As We Age, Sleep Becomes Even More Critical If you're still going to bed at midnight or 1am and expecting to feel great at 40, 50, or 60+... it’s time to reevaluate. We simply don’t recover the way we did at 18. As we age, growth hormone declines, sex hormones shift, and cortisol rhythms become more fragile. Your body needs deeper, more consistent sleep to handle repair, regulation, and hormone balance. Late nights and chronic exhaustion are a fast track to burnout, belly fat, brain fog, and disease. 🔥 The Sleep System: It’s All Connected Most people think sleep is just about melatonin or magnesium. But real sleep — the kind that restores, heals, and recharges — starts with nervous system regulation. If your body doesn’t feel safe, it won’t let go. If your cells are inflamed, they won’t repair. If your hormones are wrecked, your circadian rhythm is too. ❄️ So What Does Help? At Valley Cryo, we help people reset their systems — because sleep doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Here’s how: 🧊 Cryotherapy – Lowers systemic inflammation, helps regulate cortisol, and boosts parasympathetic activity (aka rest + digest mode) 💡 Red Light Therapy – Helps support mitochondrial repair and balances circadian rhythm when used earlier in the day 🔥 Infrared Sauna – Supports detox pathways and naturally calms the nervous system 🌿 Functional Nutrition Coaching – Because sometimes, the problem is blood sugar or hormone imbalance — and no pill will fix that 💙 Final Thought: Stop Treating Sleep Like a Luxury Sleep isn’t a bonus. It’s not a “nice to have.” It’s the foundation of everything: – Mood – Focus – Metabolism – Recovery – Hormones – Aging – Immunity If you’ve been trying everything except getting your nervous system right, it’s time to stop spinning your wheels. You don’t need more energy drinks. You need real recovery. Come see what real restoration feels like. We’re here when you’re ready to stop faking "fine."
It’s Not New — Just New to Us: The Longevity Secret of Heat and Cold For centuries, people around the world have known a secret that we’re just starting to rediscover in the U.S.: alternating between intense heat and extreme cold is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body. From Russian banyas and Finnish saunas to icy Nordic plunges, cultures have long practiced contrast therapy — not because it was trendy, but because it worked. It made people stronger, calmer, clearer, and more resilient. At Valley Cryo, we’ve built our most popular service around this very concept: the Heat + Freeze combo. And our clients can feel the difference — better energy, better sleep, faster recovery, and yes... even better metabolism. 🔥 Why Heat Works When you spend time in our infrared sauna, your body goes into a beautiful stress response — the good kind. You sweat, your heart rate increases, and your cells start working harder to protect and repair themselves. Here’s what’s happening inside: You release heat shock proteins that protect your cells Your circulation increases, improving oxygen flow You sweat out toxins through your skin (your biggest detox organ!) Your metabolism kicks into high gear as your body tries to cool itself This is a time-tested way to build health, reduce inflammation, and feel renewed. ❄️ Why Cold Works Then comes the freeze — a full-body immersion in cold that flips your nervous system into a completely different mode. Benefits include: Activation of brown fat, which boosts metabolism and burns calories A surge of norepinephrine, improving mood, focus, and resilience Decreased inflammation and joint pain A powerful circulation response as blood vessels constrict and dilate Cold therapy resets the system. You’ll walk out feeling refreshed, clear, and focused — like your body just got a hard reboot. 🔄 Why the Combo is So Powerful The magic happens when you combine heat and cold in the same session. Going from one extreme to the other: Boosts your nervous system adaptability Improves metabolic flexibility Enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage Encourages hormetic stress, which makes your body stronger over time In short, it trains your body to handle stress better, burn more efficiently, and recover faster. 🌍 Old World Roots, Modern Science The truth is: we didn’t invent this — we just perfected the experience. Cultures in Russia, Finland, Japan, and beyond have been practicing this hot-cold-hot cycle for centuries. And now that science has caught up, we finally understand why it works so well. At Valley Cryo, we’re not about fads. We’re about what feels good and what actually works. And the Heat + Freeze combo? It works. 💥 July Special: Heat + Freeze for Just $75 To celebrate what’s possible when ancient tradition meets modern wellness, we’re offering our signature Heat + Freeze combo for just $75 through July 31. No code. No gimmicks. Just come in and feel it for yourself. And if you want to do sauna → cryo → sauna again? You totally can. A lot of our clients do it — it deepens the detox and helps them leave feeling balanced and blissed out. And honestly? We’re cool like that. We’ve never been about following the norm. Whatever feels good to your body — that’s what we support. Come get hot. Then get cold. Then get hot again. We’ll be here cheering you on, every step (and sweat) of the way. — Valley Cryo
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🔴 Why Power Matters in Red Light Therapy: Not All Beds Are Created Equal When it comes to red light therapy, most people are focused on wavelengths and depth of penetration — and yes, those matter. But there's one factor that’s just as critical (and often ignored): ⚡ Power Output — measured in watts . 💥 Our Red Light Wellness Bed: 9600 Watts of Clinical Power At Valley Cryo, our bed delivers a whopping 9600 watts of power — that’s unmatched in the industry. Why does that matter? Let’s break it down: ✅ Why High Wattage = Better Results 1. Greater Intensity = More Cellular Activation Low-wattage beds (like those in spas or home units) may offer the same wavelengths, but the light is too weak to activate deep cellular repair. With 9600 watts, we’re delivering enough power to reach mitochondria in skin, muscle, organs, and even hormone-producing glands. 2. Stronger Output = Shorter, More Effective Sessions Most beds on the market need 30–40 minute sessions. ⏱ With our power output, 15 minutes is all it takes to get maximum results. Less time. More impact. 3. Therapeutic, Not Just Relaxing Let’s be clear — red light therapy isn’t just for beauty and relaxation. When done right, it can support: 🔥 Inflammation reduction 🧠 Cognitive clarity 💪 Muscle recovery 🧬 Mitochondrial energy 🩸 Hormone support 🛌 Better sleep 🌟 Skin health + collagen ⚖️ Weight loss + metabolic reset But that’s only if the bed delivers enough power to make it happen. 🧠 Pro Tip: Power + Depth = Results Wavelength tells you how deep the light can go. Power tells you if it gets there with enough energy to do anything. 👉 A weak light with the “right” wavelength won’t do much. 👉 A powerful light with the right depth? Game changer. 📍 At Valley Cryo, we’ve invested in the strongest, highest-performing red light bed on the market — because you deserve treatments that work, not ones that just look pretty. Ready to feel the difference? 📲 Book your session. Your mitochondria will thank you. #valleycryo #redlightwellness #redlighttherapy #biohacking #mitochondria #hormonehealth #functionalwellness #cryotherapycharlottesville
🧠 T he Truth About “Clean Living” — and Why You Might Still Feel Like Crap You eat clean. 🥗 You exercise. 🏋️♀️ You hydrate. 💧 You take your supplements. 💊 So why do you still feel bloated, inflamed, fatigued, foggy — like your body is working against you? At Valley Cryo, I see this all the time — men and women over 40 doing all the “right” things but still battling symptoms that just don’t make sense. Let me be clear: 👉 It’s not in your head. Your body just needs deeper support. 🚫 “Clean” Isn’t Always “Correct” Living clean is a solid foundation — but that doesn’t mean your systems are in sync. In midlife, stress, hormone changes, environmental toxins, and years of wear and tear catch up. And the cracks start to show. On the outside you look “healthy” — but inside, you might be battling: 🔥 Hidden inflammation 🧬 Hormone decline (in both men and women) 🧪 Poor detox capacity 🦠 Gut dysfunction 📉 Glucose dysregulation ⚡ Mitochondrial burnout 🔍 What Could Really Be Going On? 1️⃣ You’re Experiencing Glucose Dysregulation — Even If You Eat Clean Blood sugar instability in midlife is common — and often missed. Why? Because it’s not just about sugar — it’s about hormones, stress, muscle mass, and mitochondrial function. Symptoms include: 😵 Midday energy crashes 🌙 Waking up at 3 a.m. 🍭 Intense cravings 😤 “Hangry” between meals 🧊 Stubborn belly fat Your body may no longer be processing glucose efficiently — and this is one of the first signs of metabolic dysfunction. 💡 Why Insulin Resistance Happens in Midlife: ⚖️ Hormonal decline — Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all regulate insulin sensitivity. As they drop, blood sugar control gets harder. 😩 Chronic stress — Years of elevated cortisol blunt your insulin response and store more fat. 💪 Muscle loss — Less muscle = less glucose uptake. Resistance training becomes non-negotiable after 40. 🔋 Mitochondrial slowdown — Aging mitochondria don’t burn glucose as efficiently, leading to more circulating sugar. 🥶 Over-restriction or under-eating — Skipping meals or not eating enough protein can spike cortisol and tank your metabolism. 2️⃣ Your Gut Is Sabotaging You Even with a clean diet, hidden gut infections like: 🦠 H. pylori 🍄 Candida 🔁 Dysbiosis …can cause bloating, fatigue, nutrient malabsorption, and hormone chaos. Your gut affects everything — and no amount of kale will fix a microbial war zone. 3️⃣ You’re Running on Empty Hormones For Women 💁♀️: Estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone plummet in perimenopause and menopause. This affects: 🧠 Brain fog 🛌 Sleep 💃 Mood 🔥 Metabolism For Men 💁♂️: Testosterone decline starts in your 30s and impacts: 💪 Strength 🧠 Focus ❤️ Libido 😴 Recovery Being told your hormones are “normal for your age” ≠ optimal. Let’s raise the bar. 📈 4️⃣ Your Cortisol Is Wrecking You Cortisol controls your energy, fat storage, blood pressure, and more. Signs it’s out of whack: 💤 Fatigue after workouts 😵 Lightheaded when standing 😮💨 Wired at night, tired in the morning 🧂 Salt cravings 🪫 Sudde n belly fat gain This isn’t laziness or “just aging.” It’s adrenal dysregulation — and yes, you can fix it. 5️⃣ Alcohol Is Quietly Undoing Everything Here’s the truth: 🍷 Alcohol is the #1 cause of breast cancer. ❤️ A major driver of heart disease. ☠️ A Class 1 carcinogen, according to the CDC. I used to drink regularly. Now? Maybe a glass every few months. It took time to face the fact that it has zero health benefits — and quietly unravels so many of the gains we work hard for. 🙋♀️ And Let Me Tell You Something… You might even be a personal trainer, a fitness coach, or the person everyone comes to for wellness advice. 💪 You know what healthy looks like — and still, something feels off. And when it happens to you? It’s confusing. It’s frustrating. And honestly — it can be embarrassing to ask for help. Because people think you should have the answers. But listen: Even the most educated, disciplined, wellness-minded people need support — especially when it’s their own body. This isn’t about willpower. This is about biochemistry. And it’s time to go deeper. 💡 This is Where Functional Medicine Meets Longevity At Valley Cryo, we don’t just hand you a protocol — we educate. We help you understand and apply cutting-edge tools like: 🧬 Peptides 🌱 Bioregulators 🔥 Red light & cryotherapy 🧖♀️ Infrared sauna 🍽️ Functional nutrition And most importantly — we listen. We take the time. We connect the dots. 🧩 👋 Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again? If you’ve been doing everything “right” and still feel wrong — this is your sign. Reach out when you're ready. Let’s stop piecing things together — and finally make sense of what your body’s been trying to tell you.