02/18/2026
Big emotions in little bodies can feel overwhelming, both for kids and for parents. Often, those big feelings are a sign that a child’s nervous system is under stress, not that they are being difficult or misbehaving. When the nervous system is overloaded, emotions can come out bigger, louder, or harder to manage.
That same stress response can also show up in the body. Many parents notice that kids with big emotions may struggle with sleep, whether that looks like difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently, or experiencing nightmares. Constipation and digestion challenges are also commonly connected, since the nervous system plays a major role in both rest and gut function.
Supporting a child’s nervous system can help their body feel safer, calmer, and better able to regulate emotions, sleep, and digestion. This is not about correcting behavior. It is about understanding what their body is communicating and offering gentle support from the inside out. If your child is dealing with big emotions alongside sleep or digestive struggles, you are not alone, and there may be ways to help things feel easier for your whole family.
