You can’t pour peace into a body that’s still defending itself. It’s a powerful truth I’ve seen play out time and again. You have to calm the system first before any real healing can begin.
Share Image Quote:
Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is simple: You can’t force healing or calm onto a system that’s actively in a state of fight-or-flight. The defense mechanisms themselves have to be addressed first.
Explanation
Look, it’s like trying to water a plant while it’s still on fire. You’re just wasting water, right? The fire has to be put out first. Our bodies and minds work the same way. When we’re in a constant state of stress, anxiety, or hyper-vigilance—what Dr. Shepherd calls “defending itself”—our system is literally closed off to receiving anything good. It’s a physiological reality. The nervous system is shouting “DANGER!” and it can’t hear the whispers of “peace” you’re trying to pour in. You have to soothe the defense response. Then the real work can start.
Quote Summary
Reading Level76
Aesthetic Score88
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes directly from Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s 2022 book, Love Yourself Well, published in the United States. It’s a modern piece of wellness wisdom, so you won’t find it misattributed to older philosophers or sources; it’s very much of our current understanding of mind-body connection.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Dr Jessica Shepherd is an OB/GYN and women’s health advocate who blends clinical expertise with accessible education. She founded Her Viewpoint to help women navigate topics like periods, fertility, fibroids, sexual health, and menopause. A trusted voice in media and on stage, she translates complex science into practical steps patients can use right away. While building the Dr Jessica Shepherd book list and resources, she continues to champion informed, equitable care that centers each woman’s needs and goals.
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | You can’t pour peace into a body that’s still defending itself |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2023; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780063289408; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 288. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 9: Syncing with Yourself, Approximate page from 2023 edition |
Context
In her book, Dr. Shepherd uses this concept to talk about holistic health, specifically linking gut, brain, and vaginal health. She’s making the point that you can’t just “positive-think” your way to wellness if your body is chronically inflamed or stuck in a stress cycle. The physical state of defense prevents the absorption of both nutritional and emotional peace.
Usage Examples
This is so applicable. I use this framework all the time.
- For a burned-out executive: You can’t just tell them to “take a vacation” if their nervous system is fried. They need to first learn practices to down-regulate that stress response—maybe through breathwork or setting boundaries—then the vacation will actually be restorative.
- For someone in therapy: You can’t process deep trauma if the person is constantly triggered and in survival mode. A good therapist will first work on resourcing and grounding techniques to create a sense of safety in the body.
- In leadership: You can’t build a cohesive, innovative team in a culture of fear and constant defense. You have to address the cultural “threats” first to create psychological safety.
To whom it appeals?
Share This Quote Image & Motivate
Motivation Score85
Popularity Score80
Shareability Score84
FAQ
Question: So what’s the first step if my body is “defending itself”?
Answer: Safety. Your number one job is to signal safety to your nervous system. This isn’t intellectual; it’s somatic. Things like slow, deep belly breathing, gentle movement, or a weighted blanket can start to send the “all clear” signal.
Question: Can this apply to physical health, like gut issues?
Answer: Absolutely. 100%. If you’re chronically stressed (defending), your digestive system is compromised. You can pour all the expensive probiotics and healthy food into it, but if the gut is inflamed and the gut-brain axis is screaming “danger,” you won’t absorb the benefits well. Calm the system, then nourish it.
Question: Is this the same as “you can’t love someone until you love yourself”?
Answer: It’s a similar concept but more… biological? It’s less about a moral failing and more about a mechanical reality. A body in defense mode physiologically cannot rest, digest, or connect properly. It’s not a choice; it’s a state of being that needs to be shifted.
Similar Quotes
The lies we tell to preserve peace often backfire spectacularly. It’s a psychological paradox I’ve seen play out time and again in organizations and relationships. We think we’re building stability,…
Denial is not peace; it’s the postponement of pain. It’s a powerful truth I’ve seen play out time and again, both in my own life and with countless clients. That…
When we judge others, we contribute to violence. It’s a simple but profound shift from blame to understanding that can completely transform your relationships, both personally and professionally. Table of…
Denial may offer temporary peace, but awareness brings lasting freedom. It’s a powerful truth I’ve seen play out time and again. The short-term relief of ignoring a problem always, always…
We don’t realize that, somewhere within us all… there’s a part of you that’s already whole, already peaceful, no matter the chaos outside. It’s about learning to access that inner…
