The Morning Routine That Can Rewire Your Brain & Heal Chronic Pain

Could your morning routine be secretly sabotaging your chronic pain and illness recovery? In this illuminating episode, we explore how those critical first moments after waking profoundly impact your nervous system's regulation and pain processing throughout the entire day.

When you first open your eyes, your brain is in a uniquely vulnerable state—actively scanning your environment and asking: "Am I safe today, or am I in danger?" The signals you send during this transition period can either trigger fight-or-flight responses that amplify pain or create safety cues that begin a cascade of healing. We break down exactly which common morning behaviors are keeping you locked in pain and symptom cycles and which practices can rewire your brain for relief.

Many of us unknowingly start our days with habits that spike dysregulation—immediately checking phones, rushing frantically, consuming caffeine on empty stomachs, or engaging in negative self-talk about symptoms. These seemingly innocent behaviors trigger stress responses that directly increase pain and symptom sensitivity. Equally problematic are patterns that promote freeze responses: staying in bed scrolling, avoiding movement, and remaining isolated. We share personal examples of how these patterns affected our own healing journeys and how we transformed them.

The good news? Simple, intentional morning practices can dramatically shift your pain experience. We provide a comprehensive toolkit of healing morning rituals including somatic movement, specific breathwork techniques, embodiment practices, thought work, and nature exposure—all designed to send powerful safety signals to your nervous system. You'll learn practical implementation strategies that don't require massive time commitments or dramatic lifestyle overhauls.

Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, persistent symptoms, or simply want to optimize your nervous system regulation, this episode offers a roadmap for creating morning routines that support lasting healing. Start tomorrow with even one small change, and begin transforming your relationship with pain from the moment you wake up.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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