In her groundbreaking work, Brene Brown famously defines shame as "the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging." This sentiment encapsulates the deep-seated impact shame can have on our sense of self and our relationships. But how does shame develop, and what toll does it take on our physical and emotional well-being?
Read MoreIn the intricate tapestry of our bodies, the gut and the brain are two of the most vital players. They communicate, influence, and even rely on each other in ways we are only beginning to understand. But what often goes unnoticed in this dynamic relationship is the central role played by the nervous system. In this exploration, we will uncover the profound link between the nervous system and gut health and understand why addressing the nervous system is the key to healing the gut.
Read MoreIn our journey toward healing, we often seek solace in the nurturing embrace of food. Today, we embark on a fascinating exploration of the profound connection between what we eat and our emotional well-being. It's a journey that unveils the intricate ways in which food shapes our experiences and influences our path to trauma recovery.
Read MoreIf you struggle with anxiety, you know how debilitating it can be. The constant worry, racing thoughts, inability to relax, physical symptoms like gut issues, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat - all of it can make it difficult to function in everyday life.
While many different forms of therapy can help alleviate anxiety symptoms, somatic therapy has emerged as an effective and holistic approach to treating anxiety.
Read MoreMany of us associate the word trauma with something horrible that happened in the past, like a parent's loss, a car accident, or a natural disaster. However, trauma can result from simply missing something in our childhood (emotional validation, affection, recognition, abandonment) or having something in excess (stress, criticism, emotional or physical abuse).
Read MoreEmotional trauma results from events or experiences that leave you feeling profoundly unsafe and often helpless. It can result from a single event or be part of a longer experience, such as parental misattunement, abuse, neglect, abandonment, bullying, or discrimination. This psychological trauma can lead you to struggle with upsetting emotions, low self-worth, shame, digestive issues, and anxiety that won't go away. It can also create an anxious attachment with your partners, the need for control, and overdelivering or overgiving.
Read MoreWe've believed that trauma is only a psychological issue for far too long. However, as neurodevelopment, connection, attunement, and attachment are definitely key factors in trauma forming, so is the body's biology.
Every trauma, be it an emotionally abusive parent or the loss of someone dear, leaves a chemical imprint on the body.
Read MoreSo many of us suffer from anxiety these days and willingly take medication or try to talk it through with a therapist. But, as these are definitely great, to begin with, they won't solve the root cause of anxiety.
So let's look at three mistakes that drive your anxiety and what you could do instead.
Read MoreGetting ready for a date, a night out or a special event and want to assure no gas is trapped in your belly making you feel uncomfortable?
I've got you covered. I know how embarrassing it is to hold it all inside while your tummy makes funny noises and extends painfully.
Read MoreIt all seems so easy. Just grab a bite, and your body will do its job. It will push the food from the esophagus all the way down to your stomach, where chemical digestion will take place, and then further down to your intestines for absorption and excretion. So easy, yet so many things can go wrong along the way. You may have a low stomach acid, not enough digestive enzymes, a leaky gut allowing food particles to escape into the bloodstream and causing an auto-immune reaction. Maybe you suffer from gut dysbiosis that enables pathogens to thrive on certain foods like refined sugars. Perhaps it's slow gut motility that makes the food stay longer in the intestines, causing you bloating, constipation, and more.
Read MoreHave you ever had a 'gut-wrenching' experience or 'a knot in your stomach'? Perhaps you were lucky enough to 'feel butterflies in your belly'? It might not entirely be your heart that rules over your emotions like a passionate mastermind, but actually your gut!
Read MoreLiving a busy life, surrounded by convenient takeaway options and colorful ads of ready meals just to be put into the microwave, we rarely stop to think about the importance of food on our long-term wellbeing. Yes, in theory, we all 'know' that proper nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life. Yes, in theory, we all 'know' that we can improve our health by keeping a proper diet. But how exactly does it work, and what is this 'right' food?
Read MoreI am pretty sure you know this situation very well – you are working or studying, reading a book or watching Netflix, and suddenly it kicks in. An urgent appetite for something small and sweet because your concentration is somehow falling apart. Or you are just bored and looking for a quick mood booster. Of course, you don't feel like cooking or preparing the ENTIRE meal, you are actually not that hungry - you just want something quick and easy and sugary, right?
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