In this episode of Wired for Well-Being, Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein explores one of the most common struggles of modern life—how to live with purpose and connection without feeling overwhelmed.

Through a heartfelt listener question and a reflective conversation with producer Steve Lessard, Jeffrey examines what happens when our desire to move gently through life collides with a world that feels fast, anxious, and demanding. Together they unpack the deeper nervous-system dynamics behind this tension—especially for those who live with complex PTSD or chronic dysregulation—and reveal how slowing down isn’t weakness but wisdom.

You’ll learn:

• Why people with complex PTSD often swing between high activation and total shutdown—and how to gently find stability between the two.

• How early relational trauma trains the nervous system to match others’ needs and rhythms instead of our own.

• The difference between matched and mismatched neuroception—and how it shapes the way we read safety or danger in everyday interactions.

• How anger, when reclaimed, can become a constructive source of motivation and perseverance rather than collapse or self-blame.

• Simple ways to regulate in real time, including hand-to-heart grounding and lengthening the exhale to double the inhale.

• How self-compassion rewires shame at the nervous-system level and becomes the bridge between protection and participation.

As Jeffrey reminds us, “You don’t have to join the world’s frenzy to belong to it.” By honoring our natural rhythm, learning to listen to our body’s cues, and responding with kindness instead of pressure, we can stay engaged with life without losing our peace.

Have a question for Jeffrey? Leave a voicemail at 866-357-5156. If you can’t reach that number, record a voice memo and email it to hello@drjeffreyrutstein.com.

Learn more about the Healing Trauma Program: drjeffreyrutstein.com/links

The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended as professional mental health advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers for medical concerns.