Do you often feel anxious or overthink things? In this episode, I share 10 practical ways to cope with anxiety and calm your mind. These tips include ideas from therapy, neuroscience, and everyday life. You’ll learn how to: Stop anxious thoughts from going in circlesCalm your body with easy methodsBe kinder to yourself to reduce the pressure of perfectionismShift your focus from rumination to grounded action This is a refreshed version of one of my most popular episodes, with new insigh...
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t belong,” or “I’m useless”? You’re not alone. These thoughts are part of being human. But they’re also tied to the nervous system, early experiences, and the culture we live in. In this episode, we talk about: Why it’s easy to feel bad about ourselvesHow feelings of shame can come from our pastSimple ways to challenge your inner criticA short somatic practice to help you connect with younger parts of yourself with kindnessThi...
Grounding is one of the most powerful ways to calm the nervous system and feel safe in your body. In this short grounding exercise, I’ll guide you through a gentle somatic therapy practice to release tension, reduce anxiety, and find a stable sense of yourself. This isn’t about doing things perfectly or following strict instructions. Sometimes being told what to do with your body can feel overwhelming. So this grounding practice is invitational, gentle, and paced to help you feel suppor...
Embodied healing for anxiety, emotional eating, and relationships. In this short episode, you'll learn what somatic therapy is, and be guided through a gentle practice so you can experience it for yourself. You’ll hear: How somatic therapy is different from other therapiesWhy the body is so important in healingHow safety and regulation in the nervous system support recoveryA quick exercise to help you connect with your body gentlyIf you’d like to watch the video version, you’ll find it on my ...
I explore the possibilities and limits of AI in therapy, drawing on my own experience from the inside. A grounded, honest look at what AI can, and can’t, offer for emotional healing. In today's episode: I take you behind the scenes of my own conversations with AI to see whether it can truly offer the depth, empathy, and connection we expect from therapy.We’ll look at its strengths, where it falls short, and how it affects the nervous system.Touching on transference, co-regulation, and the irr...
Feeling the pressure to be cheerful this Christmas? You’re not alone. In this episode, Shelley takes a heartfelt look at the unspoken challenges of the festive season. Shelley offers practical tips on how to navigate the holiday stress, such as saying no without guilt, celebrating small wins, and focusing on genuine connections. Shelley’s anecdotes about her uninvited feline visitor, Henry, add a touch of humour and warmth to the discussion. While sharing a poignant story about ...
Depression can affect your life, but it doesn't have to define it. With understanding, and the right strategies, it is possible to find joy and fulfilment again. In today's episode: The top 3 causes of depressionCan being rejected make you depressed?What happens in the body and brain in depressionHow to pull yourself out of depressionCitations Some ideas here were inspired by a Nicabm training on working with shame. You can buy your full training programme here. From Gen Alpha to boomers, w...
Shelley helps you to understand the causes of overthinking and how to relax your mind. This podcast explores signs of overthinking and offers strategies to deal with it. In this podcast: Becoming aware of overthinkingMental, physical and emotional symptoms of overthinking. Breaking the belief that overthinking is productive.3 ways that you can challenge overthinking; taking a practical approach, a physiological approach, or an experiential approach.2 exercises that shift your nervous sy...
Today's episode is a deeply personal exploration of pet loss and its emotional toll. Join me as we navigate the intricate layers of grief, eating for comfort, and finding ways to feel better after losing a pet. Let's embark on this heartfelt exploration together. Add your beloved pet to this post To receive my blog post about how I took back control of my eating, get your Comfort Eating Recovery Starter Kit (below). Here’s another podcast you will love: Reset your Autonomic Nervous System ...
It's normal for most of us to struggle with procrastination. But if you started a diet or exercise regime in the New Year and now struggle to keep it going, it might be because you didn't understand what was going on for you. There are reasons for procrastination and it can be stopped! In today's podcast, I'm going to show you how 'failing' can help you. We'll look at: Why you lose control and how to regain itThe origins of self-control in your brainRecognising how stress, tiredness, ...
Nurturing yourself through the pressures of Christmas. Part of the reason we eat so much at Christmas is that it's so easy to do it. Our whole culture makes it easy for us to do so. However, there are many traditions and habits associated with Christmas that can create pressure and obligations. One way to control your eating during Christmas is to politely decline food that you don't really want. This is the second of my Christmas podcasts, where I talk about the pressures of Christmas, and g...
Welcome to the first of three Christmas podcasts, where I talk about the different feelings we have during the holiday season. Today, I focus on how it can be hard to deal with loss during Christmas. It can be tough if someone you love isn't there, if you had a difficult relationship, or if you just feel sad during this time of year. I want to support you and give you permission to feel your grief. I'll share stories, talk about love and grief, offer tips for taking care of yourself during ...
One of the biggest reasons people seek support from me is the fear of passing on their habits to their children. According to statistics, children and young people are using food to cope with mental health issues, more than ever before. In this week's podcast, I talk about 5 ways you can help the young person in your care. Your next podcast: How do I Stop Self-Criticism? Citations Office for Health and Disparities. Public Health Data. Obesity Profile: https://fingertips.phe.org.u...
“Today I talk about the biggest mistakes I made when trying to stop comfort eating and lose weight. I now advise against being too hard on yourself and going on strict diet. “ Shelley says it's really important to be kind to yourself and have self-compassion when trying to recover. She also thinks it's helpful to pay attention to your senses while eating, and be aware of how you feel when you’re choosing what to eat. Shelley has created a 'Comfort Eating Recovery Starter Kit' with useful res...
If you struggle with perfectionism, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement. In this episode, I share a personal story about perfectionism and how it shows up in everyday life, from social situations to personal challenges. I explore the roots of perfectionism, its links to anxiety, shame, and self-criticism, and how it can hold us back. You'll learn a simple three-step process to soften, soothe, and allow your experience, helping you develop self-compassion. I also discuss t...
Today I talk about money and how our thoughts about money affect us. I mention money problems from the past and ask questions to help you think about your own money beliefs and influences. I conclude that it's important to take care of yourself on the inside. I also talk about overeating on holiday. Citations The Money Panel The Soul of Money 'Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources' - Lynne Twist Another podcast to try: Reset Your Autonomic Nervous System - for Anxiety or...
In this podcast, I talk about how having good relationships can make you feel happy. I also discuss the importance of setting boundaries when you interact with others. The podcast explains how bonding, trust, and connection affect your brain. I also share stories about dealing with feeling anxious or being rejected by others. Throughout the podcast, you are encouraged to be kind to yourself. Citations The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage, ...
Today, learn how your brain tricks you into avoiding exercise and why it's crucial to overcome this instinct. Understand the neuroscience of movement, uncover the surprising benefits of any form of physical activity, and explore strategies to make exercise enjoyable again. From childhood fears to unexpected swimming adventures, I share personal stories that will inspire you to break free from your exercise limitations. Citations The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, H...
Today, we begin by addressing the common issue of self-disgust. I encourage listeners to challenge negative self-talk. I then dive into the topic of seasonal stress, highlighting signs of troublesome stress levels. The podcast provides practical methods to nurture self-compassion and well-being. Another podcast for you: How do I Stop Self-Criticism? Support the show Want to see if we're a good fit for working together? Let's book a complimentary telephone call to talk. SCHEDULE A COMPLIM...
Today, we explore strategies for coping with the sudden shift into Autumn or Fall. Shelley shares her personal journey and how she prepared for a radio show aimed at helping people to embrace autumn. She delves into the concept of disappointment, encouraging listeners to challenge their thoughts and reframe their expectations. The episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the emotional challenges of the autumn transition. Another podcast episode for you: How do I S...