Alive & Well – Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance

When your stress is off the charts, the last thing you need is vague advice and zero follow-through. What you do need? Tools that actually work—with the science to back them.In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking four body-based techniques that regulate your nervous system in real time. These are somatic tools, rooted in neuroscience, that help you shift out of chronic stress—without needing to book a retreat or download another meditation app you’ll never open.We’ll start with the why—what happens in your brain and body when you’re stuck in stress mode—and then I’ll walk you through four simple, powerful techniques to bring your system back to safety.You’ll learn: 🔹 Why traditional stress relief doesn’t work when your nervous system is dysregulated 🔹 How bottom-up regulation works (and why your body leads, not your brain) 🔹 What “the vagus nerve” has to do with calm, clarity, and healing 🔹 How to use somatic tools to create real relief—not just temporary escapeThen, we’ll dive into four practical tools that you can start using this week.We’ll cover: ✔️ The physiological sigh – a 10-second breath pattern to interrupt anxiety ✔️ Shaking – a natural discharge tool to release stress from your body ✔️ Weighted input – how deep pressure signals safety to your brain ✔️ Cold therapy – using the dive reflex to calm the fear centerIf your body feels like it’s stuck in survival mode—or you just need something that works when the overwhelm hits—this episode will give you practical, science-backed ways to shift out of stress and back into regulation.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous Episode3 Ways to Show Your Body It’s OK to Relax & Be CalmAre You Dysregulated? 10 Surprising Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation4 Overlooked Symptoms of Dysregulation That Aren’t Actually “Normal”5 Daily Habits That are Dysregulating Your Nervous System3 Popular Wellness Trends That Might Be Dysregulating Your Nervous System— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If you’ve ever felt like your gut has more control over your day than you do—bloating, food anxiety, exhaustion, skin flares, mood dips—you’re not imagining things.And you’re definitely not alone.In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Aylward, functional nutritionist and founder of HAN, and we’re unpacking the deep, often misunderstood connection between your gut, your mood, and your nervous system.Hannah brings the receipts: how your digestion is linked to everything from your sleep and energy levels to your anxiety and hormonal health—and what to do when it feels like your body’s working against you.We’re diving into: ✔️ How undiagnosed gut imbalances can lead to chronic bloating, fatigue, skin issues, and even hormone disruption ✔️ Why restriction and elimination diets aren’t the healing fix they promise to be ✔️ How to nourish your body in a way that promotes gut repair and nervous system safety ✔️ The impact of antibiotics and childhood infections on your adult gut health ✔️ What it really takes to balance blood sugar, boost microbiome diversity, and support long-term energyIf you’re sick of cutting foods, afraid to eat, or just tired of feeling off—and you know something deeper’s going on—this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Press play to learn practical, powerful ways to support your gut health—without restriction, obsession, or burnout.Connect with Hannah:🌐Hannah’s Website📸Find Hannah on InstagramRelated Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeHealing Your Symptoms From the Inside OutThese 5 Habits Are Causing Your BurnoutBeyond Burnout: Top 3 Reasons You Feel Fried3 Things I Started Saying That Helped Heal My BurnoutAre You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy Type— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’re functioning. Performing. Keeping it together.But deep down, your mind is racing. Your shoulders are tense. And you’re one more Slack notification away from snapping.If you’re looking calm on the outside—but buzzing underneath, it might be high-functioning anxiety—and most women don’t even realize they’re living in it.Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on high-functioning anxiety from a nervous system perspective. I’ll walk you through what it really is, how it forms, and the hidden habits that keep you stuck in the loop—plus simple body-based ways to start shifting out.You’ll learn: 🔹 Why high-functioning anxiety isn’t just “being Type A” 🔹 How your nervous system creates a performance-survival blend 🔹 The physiological reason you can’t just “think your way out of it” 🔹 How to spot (and shift) 6 subtle patterns that keep you dysregulatedThen, I’ll walk you through 6 hidden habits that high-functioning anxious women tend to carry—and the somatic tools that help you release them.We’ll cover: ✔️ People-pleasing – the fawn response disguised as kindness ✔️ Overthinking – survival mode in a productivity costume ✔️ Perfectionism – when safety gets fused with performance ✔️ Suppressed needs – why you freeze when someone asks what you want ✔️ Hypervigilance – the nervous system on high alert, 24/7 ✔️ Procrastination + sprinting – how your system flips from freeze to hustleBecause high-functioning anxiety isn’t your personality—it’s your protection.And when you learn to regulate your body, you can finally stop white-knuckling your life.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous Episode3 Somatic Practices for Anxiety: Why They Work & How to Do ThemHealing Anxiety & Burnout: 4 Non-Negotiables for Nervous System RegulationThe #1 Reason You Haven't Been Able to Heal Your AnxietyHow to Reduce Anxiety When It's Happening3 Sneaky Habits That Are Making Your Anxiety Worse— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You know you need to manage your stress… but why does managing stress feel like another stressor?If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a self-care checklist, you’re not alone. High-capacity women don’t need more pressure to “do wellness right.” You need tools that actually work—and fit into real life.In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking five anti-burnout behaviors backed by neuroscience. These aren’t morning routine fluff or band-aid fixes. They’re simple, nervous system-friendly habits that help you regulate stress, replenish energy, and stay grounded—without needing a full life overhaul.You’ll learn: 🔹 How your stress response system works—and what happens when it never gets to turn off 🔹 Why your body can feel depleted, even if your calendar is “under control” 🔹 The daily habits that actually recalibrate your nervous system over timeThen, I’ll walk you through 5 specific behaviors that buffer against burnout—and explain the science behind why they work.We’ll cover: ✔️ Play & pleasure – how fun rewires your stress response ✔️ Phone boundaries – how overstimulation hijacks your capacity ✔️ Embodied gratitude – not just journaling, but regulation through reflection ✔️ Movement & nature – quick, accessible ways to discharge stress ✔️ Capacity-aware boundaries – how saying no protects your nervous systemBecause burnout doesn’t happen because you’re weak. It happens when your body is strong enough to keep going—long past the point of enough.💡 You don’t need a reset. You need rhythms that support your biology.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeTips for Balancing Hormones & Boosting EnergyThese 5 Habits Are Causing Your BurnoutBeyond Burnout: Top 3 Reasons You Feel Fried3 Things I Started Saying That Helped Heal My BurnoutAre You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy Type— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

Ever feel like you’re trying to do all the right things—but your body still feels tense, wired, or totally wiped out?In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking how chronic stress hijacks your nervous system—and what it actually looks and feels like when you’re stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. You’ll learn: 🔹 How the nervous system actually works under stress (and why it’s not about willpower) 🔹 What “fight,” “flight,” and “freeze” look like in high-functioning women 🔹 The real reason you can’t relax, focus, or stop overthinking when you’re dysregulated 🔹 Why stress responses aren’t bad—they’re just incomplete (and how to complete them)Then I’ll guide you through how to recognize the signs of each stress state in your body—and teach you body-based tools to shift out of them in real time.We’ll cover: ✔️ FIGHT – ragey outbursts, control mode, pressure cooker energy ✔️ FLIGHT – overworking, constant movement, anxious perfectionism ✔️ FREEZE – shutdown, fog, “what’s the point?” energy ✔️ REGULATION – how to stop overriding your body and start listening to it insteadBecause real resilience doesn’t come from pushing through. It comes from knowing how to come back.From working with your biology, not against it.💡 Your nervous system isn’t the problem—it’s the pathway.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeAre You Ready for a Soul Shift? How to Get Unstuck and Reclaim Your JoyStuck in Bad Habits? Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Learn the 3 Requirements for Lasting Change5 Subtle Signs You're Stuck in Survival ModeThe Reset Mindset: How to Get Unstuck and Focus on What Matters MostTalk Therapy Not Working? 3 Reasons You’re Still Stuck in Anxiety & Burnout— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

Ever notice how bravery isn’t about feeling fearless—but doing the hard thing anyway, even when your palms are sweaty and your brain is begging you to binge Netflix instead?Today’s guest is here to show us what it actually means to lead ourselves bravely—from the inside out. We’re talking mindset shifts, bold action, and the kinds of relationships that pull us forward instead of drain us dry.If you’ve ever wondered how to show up more powerfully in the face of challenge, this one’s for you.In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach, Marine Corps veteran, and corporate consultant Jill Schulman—and we’re breaking down what it actually means to be brave (and no, it’s not about being fearless or reckless).Jill shares the science of courage—how it works in your brain, how it builds over time, and why it's directly linked to your happiness, resilience, and sense of purpose.We’re diving into: ✔️ The two biggest myths about bravery that keep women stuck ✔️ Why courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being values-led ✔️ How your nervous system plays a role in both fear and courage ✔️ Practical tools to build your “bravery muscle” without frying your system ✔️ What it means to be smart brave vs. stupid brave ✔️ Why community, vulnerability, and mindset are non-negotiables for bold leadershipIf you’ve ever told yourself, “I’m just not brave like her” or “I’ll do it when I feel ready”—this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Press play to learn how to take brave action in small, doable steps—without bypassing your body, blowing past your bandwidth, or betraying what matters most.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeOvercoming Trauma and Discovering Your Courage for ChangeHow to Leverage Our Own Childhood Experiences to Show Up More Powerfully in MotherhoodDon’t Underestimate the Power of Play! How to Overcome Perfectionism, Fear of Judgment, and Self-DoubtHow to Know if It’s Your Intuition or Fear Speaking— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’ve probably heard the phrase “the body keeps the score”—but what does that actually mean?If you’ve ever dealt with chronic tightness, gut issues, jaw clenching, or exhaustion that just won’t quit… your body might be holding on to more than stress. It might be storing trauma.In this episode, we’re diving into the science of somatic memory—how your nervous system encodes unprocessed trauma and stress into your tissues, and how that stored tension can quietly sabotage your energy, focus, and well-being.You’ll learn: 🔹 What it means to “store trauma” in your body (and how that happens physiologically) 🔹 The neuroscience behind somatic memory, vagus nerve signaling, and trauma loops 🔹 Why trauma often gets misdiagnosed as burnout, mood swings, or fatigue 🔹 The most common areas where women store unresolved trauma—and whyThen, I’ll walk you through 7 areas where stored trauma often shows up in high-capacity women (including the emotional meaning behind each one) and offer simple somatic release practices for each—so you can start to clear it from your system gently and safely.We’ll cover: ✔️ Jaw – anger, resentment, suppression of truth ✔️ Shoulders – chronic responsibility without support ✔️ Chest – grief, shame, emotional repression ✔️ Gut – fear, anxiety, emotional “digestive” issues ✔️ Lower back – instability, financial fear, lack of support ✔️ Legs & feet – feeling stuck, disconnected from purpose ✔️ Throat – silencing, self-abandonment, fear of being seenWhether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just off, this episode will help you decode what your body’s trying to tell you—and show you how to start releasing what it’s been holding for too long.💡 Because healing isn’t just in your head. It’s in your fascia, your breath, your belly, your bones.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeProven Systems to Take You from Overwhelmed to OrganizedOverwhelmed & Overcommitted? How to Optimize Your CapacityDecluttering Strategies for the Busy Mom3 Reasons Perfectionism Is Keeping You Overwhelmed (and How to Break Free)Overwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’ve read the books. You’ve tried the deep breaths. You’ve told yourself, “Just calm down.”But when overwhelm hits? Your body’s still on edge—clenched jaw, tense shoulders, short fuse.Here’s the truth: you can’t out-think a dysregulated nervous system.Because when your brain is flooded with stress hormones, logic and willpower go offline.In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking what really happens in your body when you're overwhelmed—and why somatic tools (not more hacks or habits) are the key to feeling calm, grounded, and in control again.💡 Inside, you’ll learn:What happens in your brain and body during a stress responseWhy traditional productivity and self-help advice often fails in moments of overwhelm5 powerful, simple grounding techniques that work with your biology—not against itYou’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-use tools like: ✔️ The physiological sigh ✔️ Body tapping ✔️ Eye presses ✔️ Heel drops ✔️ Vagus nerve stimulationIf you’ve ever felt hijacked by stress or scrambled by anxiety, this episode gives you the body-based roadmap back to center.Because real regulation doesn’t start in your head—it starts in your body.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeProven Systems to Take You from Overwhelmed to OrganizedOverwhelmed & Overcommitted? How to Optimize Your CapacityDecluttering Strategies for the Busy Mom3 Reasons Perfectionism Is Keeping You Overwhelmed (and How to Break Free)Overwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’re ambitious. You’re organized. You’ve got the planner, the calendar app, and the color-coded to-do list.So why do you still feel overwhelmed, behind, and exhausted by 2pm?Here’s the truth:It’s not your calendar that’s the problem.It’s your nervous system.Because when your body is stuck in survival mode, no time-blocking strategy in the world will stick.In this episode, we’re flipping the script on productivity and revealing the 3 nervous system patterns that are quietly sabotaging your performance:Chronic overwhelm – Why you’re always “on” but never feel donePeople-pleasing – Why you say yes when your body says noConstant urgency – Why slowing down feels unsafe (even when you're desperate for rest)💡 You’ll learn:The nervous system science behind these patternsHow they show up in real life (hello, inbox spirals and overcommitment)Practical somatic tools to shift into grounded, sustainable flow✨ If your go-to productivity tools aren’t cutting it, this episode is your nervous system-based reset. It’s time to regulate first—and work smarter, not harder.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous Episode5 Ways to Tell Whether Your Productivity is Toxic or HealthyLearn how to spot the difference between sustainable output and stress-driven overworking.The Productivity Trap: This Is Why Being Busy Isn’t Moving You Forward The neuroscience behind why “doing more” keeps you stuck.Why Am I Like This?! How The 3 States of Our Nervous System Affect Motherhood, Health, and ProductivityBreak down the science of sympathetic vs. parasympathetic states—and how they impact your habits.Are You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy TypeStart Doing This Today to Reclaim Your Energy with Chloe Ward Get practical tips to reset your system when you’re running on empty.— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If you ever feel like a completely different version of yourself when you're under stress—snappy, shut down, or just plain tapped out—you're not alone. Stress doesn’t just impact how you feel in your body. It can totally hijack how you show up in your relationships… especially your marriage.In this episode, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw, and we’re unpacking how unprocessed stress silently fuels miscommunication, emotional disconnection, resentment, and repeated blow-ups in partnership—even when you love each other deeply.You’ll learn how stress physically rewires the way you interact, and why you keep reacting in ways that don’t reflect who you really are.We’re diving into: ✔️ The two types of stress that show up in marriage—and how to tell the difference ✔️ Why your brain shuts down communication and turns conflict into a battlefield ✔️ How to recognize when you're about to "pop" and how to stop the spiralIf you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Why did I say that?” or “Why do we keep having the same fight?”—this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Press play to learn the tools to communicate more clearly, love more deeply, and co-regulate more effectively in the moments that matter most. Related Links:Previous EpisodeHow to Deal with Resentment in Your MarriageThings I Wish I Knew Before Getting MarriedEnding Divorce Culture: Beth Rowles on How the Principles of Conscious Parenting Can Help Save Your MarriageReady to Reignite the Spark in Your Marriage? Firing Up Intimacy and Sex— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<