On edge

The Brief

Welcome back, Wellworthy readers.

Everyone is trying to reset their nervous system.

From poor sleep to burnout to feeling overwhelmed, more and more symptoms are being linked to the body’s stress response. 

But the regulation hype might be outpacing the science.

Today, we’re breaking down what actually happens when stress hits — and what you can do about it.

Here’s what’s inside:

• A neuroscientist’s guide to handling stress

• New York's strongest man and woman get crowned this September

• FRESH THIS WEEK: A wearable built for family caregiving, at-home blood testing for male fertility, and the skincare brand launching its first activewear line
  

Here we go!

— Jake & Joana

The Breakdown

Social media is full of content about “nervous system dysregulation,” referring to everything from anxiety to poor sleep.

But neuroscientist Dr. Dave Rabin says the term is being overused. Nervous system dysregulation isn’t a diagnosis, and feeling stressed doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.

“Your nervous system is supposed to respond to stress,” Rabin says. “That’s not dysfunction. That’s biology working as designed.”

Here’s what he says is worth knowing:

Look for a pattern, not a bad week. Trouble sleeping, constant tension, difficulty sleeping, or being unable to relax may signal that your body isn’t getting enough recovery. Rabin says resilience isn’t about avoiding stress. It’s about being able to calm down once the stressful moment has passed.

Your body registers safety before your mind does. Rabin says slow breathing, soothing touch, rhythm, and connection can help your nervous system settle. That’s why something as simple as a hug can make a difference within seconds.

Keep it simple. Stepping outside, stretching, listening to music, playing with a pet, or getting a hug can help your body settle. Some shifts can happen within minutes, but repetition makes it easier to recover over time.

The takeaway

Stress is inevitable, but how you respond matters. Instead of chasing a perfectly calm nervous system, find one small practice that helps your body return to baseline. As Rabin puts it, “Regulation will then become something you experience rather than another performance metric.” 

Just Dropped

New products and drops spotted → 

Health tech & performance

Garmin launched the fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro with faster maps and new tools for seeing how your stamina changes over time. The Pro includes a full titanium case and satellite and LTE options that let you call, message, share your location, or send an SOS without your phone. The largest AMOLED model lasts up to 31 days. Take a look.

Fitbit’s co-founders released Luffu Link, a screen-free wearable built around family caregiving. It tracks sleep, steps, and location, while a button lets wearers record health updates, ask family members for help, or let them know how they’re doing. Preorder here.

SATISFY and COROS teamed up on a limited-edition APEX 4 with an ice-crystallized titanium bezel. It also comes with three SATISFY-designed watch faces, exclusive trail workouts, and two bands, along with the standard APEX 4’s maps, GPS, and 65-hour battery life. See the watch.

iRESTORE launched what the brand says is the first face mask to combine cosmetic lasers with rainbow LED light therapy. The Laser Face Mask Pro uses eight types of light across five 10-minute modes for concerns like fine lines, blemishes, dullness, and uneven texture. Take a look.

Superpower launched an at-home sperm analysis that goes beyond just sperm count. The test measures 11 markers, including how well sperm move, their shape, and DNA fragmentation, which looks for damage to the genetic material inside sperm. Learn more.

Apparel & gear

Bandit is kicking off fall race season with City Limits, a new collection of training and race-day pieces. Developed over 11 months, it updates core silhouettes with new fabrics and adds technical apparel for cooler-weather marathon training. Drops today for members, and tomorrow for everyone else. Take a look.

while on earth tapped co-founder Christian McCaffrey’s training experience for The CMC, a versatile shoe made for heavy lifts, lateral drills, and explosive workouts. A midfoot plate and locked-in heel add stability during quick movements, while a multidirectional outsole provides grip across different surfaces. Check it out.

MERIT Beauty is moving into activewear with a capsule created with Live The Process. The limited-edition drop includes four pared-back pieces made to carry a morning from workouts to errands: leggings, a top, a wrap, and headbands. Shop the collection. 

On and FKA twigs last collection introduces the Cloudmonster 3 Mule, On’s first backless slip-on, with three layers of cushioning and relaxed apparel for after the workout. To introduce the drop, FKA twigs hosted a movement and sound experience inside a former oil tank in Seoul. Out now.

On Our Radar 

What's moving in wellness this week → 

Wellness heads to the slopes. AllR and Fitt Insider are putting a different spin on wellness conferences. Winter Games is an invite-only full mountain takeover in the Catskills this January, bringing together 250+ wellness founders, investors, creators, and editors for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, recovery, and an après-ski party. The agenda? Get outside, connect with others, and have fun on a day filled with adrenaline.

New York tests its strength, again. Strong New York is back September 26, and it's bringing live workouts, 100+ wellness brands, and the NYC debut of Adidas-backed ATHX Games. Attendees can clock a personal fitness score or take on seven one-minute strength and endurance challenges. Naturally, a live leaderboard will crown the city's strongest man and woman.

Waka Flocka wants his own run club. The artist is launching Flock Run on Sunday, a new event series that starts with a community run and ends with a live performance from the rapper himself. The first stop takes place in Atlanta, with a DJ-led recovery session between the run and concert. Scottsdale and Charlotte are next up.