Logo

Find Your Solution

In 3 minutes, you’ll know where to start ➤

Join the Dysregulation Insider get free calm parenting tips straight to your inbox!

YES, I'M IN!

106: 5 Ways to Calm Your Limbic System

August 14, 2023
If you’re searching for how to calm the limbic system and help your child manage big emotions, this episode is your roadmap to creating calm from the inside out. Learn five simple ways to calm the limbic system so both you and your child can move from chaos to calm.
parent-child communication - available on apple podcastsCastbox logo, featuring a sleek and modern design with the name 'Castbox' in bold lettering, representing the popular podcast platform known for streaming and discovering podcasts.Spotify logo featuring a green circle with three curved black lines representing sound waves, symbolizing the popular music and podcast streaming platform.Amazon Music logo featuring the word 'Amazon' with the signature smile arrow and 'Music' in bold text, representing the digital music streaming service by Amazon.
<iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3PCYHP14SQU9MHxbXDG8yy?utm_source=generator&amp;theme=0" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

If you’re searching for how to calm the limbic system and help your child manage big emotions, this episode is your roadmap to creating calm from the inside out. Learn five simple ways to calm the limbic system so both you and your child can move from chaos to calm.

When your child melts down and you feel helpless, you’re not alone

Those explosive reactions aren’t about bad behavior—they’re about a dysregulated brain. When your child’s limbic system (the brain’s emotional center) is overactive, it triggers stress, anxiety, and emotional outbursts. In this episode, Dr. Roseann shares five simple ways to calm the limbic system so both you and your child can overcome anxiety and achieve calm.

 

Why does my child’s brain go into “fight, flight, or freeze” so easily?

Your child’s limbic system interprets emotional signals and decides how to respond to stress. When it’s overactivated, even small frustrations—like homework or transitions—can feel like danger.

A constantly triggered limbic system keeps your child’s nervous system stuck in high alert mode, leading to:

  • Frequent meltdowns or shutdowns
  • Trouble focusing or learning
  • Sleep or appetite issues
  • Heightened anxiety or anger

👉 Calm starts with understanding. When the brain feels safe, behavior improves. As Dr. Roseann reminds parents, “Behavior is communication.”

What happens to the brain under chronic stress?

When stress hormones stay high for too long, the brain’s gray matter (responsible for thinking, memory, and emotional control) starts to shrink. That’s why chronically stressed kids—and parents—struggle to self-regulate.

To protect the brain:

  • Reduce overstimulation. Create predictable routines.
  • Add brain breaks. Even five minutes of quiet play or deep breathing can reset the system.
  • Prioritize calm time. Downtime is not laziness—it’s healing.
  • Add Supplements to your child’s routine

How can diet and therapy calm the limbic system?

You can’t calm a “brain on fire” without giving it the right fuel and support. Dr. Roseann emphasizes that before reaching for medication, parents can start with diet and therapy that support healthy neurotransmitters.

Try these gentle shifts:

  • Include omega-3 rich foods like salmon and walnuts
  • Reduce processed sugars and dyes that inflame the brain
  • Combine a healthy diet with therapies like neurofeedback or PEMF to retrain brain patterns

💡 Real-life example: A mom shared that once she switched her son’s breakfast from cereal to protein-rich eggs and added neurofeedback, morning meltdowns nearly disappeared.

What daily habits help calm my child’s emotional brain?

Consistency is key. A calm brain doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through daily regulation habits.

Here are Dr. Roseann’s go-to limbic system soothers:

  • Movement: Exercise detoxifies and lowers inflammation
  • Mindfulness: Yoga and deep breathing promote calm attention
  • Sleep: A well-rested brain balances mood and reduces cravings
  • PEMF therapy: Devices like Calm PEMF pull the body into a parasympathetic, relaxed state

🧠 Remember: calm brains learn better, love better, and handle stress better.

When your child is dysregulated, it’s easy to feel helpless.
The Regulation Rescue Kit gives you the scripts and strategies you need to stay grounded and in control.
Become a Dysregulation Insider VIP at www.drroseann.com/newsletter and get your free kit today.

🗣️ “You can’t expect a miracle and not do the work. But when you calm the brain first, everything else starts to fall into place.”
— Dr. Roseann

When your child’s limbic system is on overdrive, it affects emotions, behavior, and even learning. The good news? With simple, consistent steps—healthy food, restorative sleep, movement, and calming therapies—you can help their brain reset.

You’re not alone, and it’s gonna be OK. Every small step toward calm counts.

FAQs

What calms an overactive limbic system?

Regular sleep, balanced diet, exercise, mindfulness, and calming therapies like neurofeedback or PEMF.


Can stress damage the limbic system?

Yes. Chronic stress can shrink gray matter and impair emotional regulation.

Is the limbic system connected to anxiety?

Absolutely. An overactive limbic system often drives anxiety and emotional reactivity.

Can diet really help calm the brain?

Yes—nutrient-dense foods reduce inflammation and support neurotransmitter balance.

How long does it take to see results?

With consistency, many families notice improvements in 3–6 weeks of lifestyle and therapy changes.

Not sure where to start?
Take the guesswork out of helping your child.
Use our free Solution Matcher to get a personalized plan based on your child’s unique needs—whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, mood issues, or emotional dysregulation.
Start here: www.drroseann.com/help

Find this helpful? Leave us a review!

If you found yourself nodding along while listening, take a moment to follow and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts.
Your feedback helps more overwhelmed parents find calm, clarity, and the proven tools that make everyday life easier.

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge: Revolutionizing Children’s Mental Health

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge’s podcast, It’s Gonna be OK!™: Science-Backed Solutions for Children’s Behavior and Mental Health, is in the top 2% globally. The podcast empowers parents with natural, science-backed solutions to improve children’s self-regulation and calm their brains. Each episode delivers expert advice and practical strategies, making it indispensable for parents of neurodivergent children or those with behavioral or mental health challenges.

Dr. Roseann, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann, LLC, created the Neurotastic™ Brain Formulas and BrainBehaviorReset® method. With her extensive experience, she provides families with hope and effective strategies to manage conditions like ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and PANS/PANDAS.

Forbes has called her “A thought leader in children’s mental health,” highlighting her revolutionary impact on mental health education and treatment. Through her podcast and innovative methods, Dr. Roseann continues to transform how we approach, treat and understand children’s mental health.
Website-Photos-Update-2

More Podcast Episodes: