Can setting boundaries actually transform your relationships and boost your personal growth? Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver promise to unlock the secrets to mastering healthy boundaries in this episode of "Why Am I Like This?". Dive into a discussion about why so many struggle to set limits and the common misconception that we can control others' actions. Laura and Mishayla delve into the fears that hold us back, like disappointing others and the guilt of asserting our needs, while providing insights into unlearning childhood beliefs that confuse self-care with selfishness.

Expect some practical wisdom as Laura and Michaela explore the role of personal values in defending your boundaries and the potential resistance you might face when doing so. By offering strategies such as using "I feel" statements, they demonstrate how to communicate effectively without triggering defensiveness. The conversation also touches on an optimistic view of human nature, suggesting that most hurtful comments are misguided attempts to help, and how understanding this can ease tensions and foster trust. Their discussion underscores the importance of acknowledging miscommunications to improve relational dynamics.

In challenging relationships, understanding the character of those you engage with can drastically change the game. Laura and Michaela equip you with techniques for respectful communication and self-reflection, ensuring that you maintain your emotional balance and don't mirror negativity. They affirm that boundaries empower us, teaching others how to treat us with dignity while nurturing self-respect and growth. Through relatable examples and a heartfelt dialogue, the episode aims to inspire you to set limits that align with your values and enhance your interactions, paving the way for stronger, healthier relationships.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

After a childhood filled with playful scares from my father, I've found myself jumping at the sound of a simple balloon pop. Join us on "Why Am I Like This?" as Mishayla and I delve into our personal experiences with fear and the startling responses that followed us from innocent childhood pranks to more serious trauma-induced reactions. Michaela shares her journey from a shocking high school event that left a lasting impact on her nervous system, influencing how she perceives safety in everyday situations. Our conversation reveals the rapid-fire processes of the brain's affective and sensory channels, highlighting how the amygdala often overrides cognitive assessment in triggering fear responses.

We unravel the intricate workings of the nervous system, exploring the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems essential for staying grounded. Recognizing how trauma—whether from significant events or mundane experiences—can foster hypervigilance, we emphasize timely trauma processing. Techniques such as EMDR come into play, presenting pathways to desensitizing heightened responses. Through relatable examples, like the universal fear of spiders or the modern-day active shooter drills, we illustrate how perceptions shape our threat responses and impact the long-term state of our nervous systems.

Our exploration moves toward managing anxiety and overcoming phobias, likening them to an allergy of the mind. Not every fear reflects an actual danger, and understanding this distinction is crucial. We discuss techniques to regain control, such as controlled breathing and cognitive exercises, offering a toolkit to bring the cognitive brain back into play. For those dealing with severe anxiety disorders, we underscore the importance of professional guidance, presenting practical strategies to ground oneself and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. From challenging negative thoughts to exploring the "window of tolerance," we offer insights into finding stability and competence in the face of fear.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

What if dissociation is more common than you'd think, quietly influencing our daily lives? Join us, Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver, as we unpack the intricate world of dissociation, often misunderstood and overlooked. We explore dissociation's role as a protective mechanism against overwhelming emotions or sensory overload. This episode sheds light on our brain's natural inclination to disconnect, from the innocuous zoning out during a TV binge to the complex dynamics in children forming their personalities amid trauma.

As we navigate the nuances of various dissociative experiences, we tackle the unsettling sensation of feeling like a stranger in your own life. Our conversation delves into the differences between dissociative identity disorder (DID) and other conditions, breaking down how memory and identity awareness play distinct roles. Understanding these differences can clarify the boundaries between dissociation and psychosis, helping listeners gain a clearer perspective on their internal experiences and the lifelong journey of symptoms that often begin in childhood.

Finally, we explore the fascinating link between trauma, somatic symptoms, and the healing journey. By integrating grounding techniques, somatic work, and strategies like heart rate variability training, we offer practical paths to self-understanding and healing. Together, we emphasize the importance of self-compassion and the transformative power of acknowledging our emotional roots. Join us for a compassionate dialogue that encourages listeners to embrace their unique experiences and empowers them toward growth and self-awareness.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

What if childhood experiences hold the key to understanding our adult behaviors? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of personal development with Michaela Beaver, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Laura Wood, a trauma therapist, in an enlightening episode of "Why Am I Like This?" Through their personal journeys, Michaela and Laura share how unexpected life events guided them into the mental health field, shifting aspirations from neonatal care to a passion for helping others overcome mental health challenges. Their stories reveal the profound impact of early life influences on career paths and the critical role self-awareness plays in understanding our actions.

Together, we explore complex ideas like adaptive information processing and how childhood events shape our perception of threats. By examining personal stories, including the trials of parenting a child with ADHD, Michaela and Laura emphasize empathy and understanding as vital tools in nurturing emotional growth. They highlight how our sensory perceptions can become conditioned by trauma, leading to misinterpretations of danger. Their discussion offers insights into fostering healthier responses to past traumas, advocating for emotional regulation, and validating children's experiences to prevent them from internalizing fear.

Michaela and Laura delve into the transformative power of therapy, particularly EMDR, as a pathway to healing and self-actualization. They offer grounding techniques to help manage triggers and remain present, underlining the importance of finding personalized tools to regain control in moments of distress. As they navigate the journey from survival to self-fulfillment, they challenge the linear model of Maslow's hierarchy, proposing a more dynamic approach to meeting our needs. Throughout the episode, they invite listeners to engage with their growth journeys, exploring vulnerabilities and identities while fostering a deeper understanding of what shapes us.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Ever wondered why you still feel tired after a full night's sleep? Join us on "Why Am I Like This?" as we uncover the hidden factors behind fatigue and share effective strategies for managing it. We'll explore the nuances of sleep quality, from the impact of substances like alcohol and marijuana to the importance of REM sleep and proper sleep hygiene. You’ll also gain insights into how mental health can influence your physical energy, and why maintaining a structured bedtime routine can make all the difference.

In this episode, we delve into the significance of sleep for children and how bedtime routines can foster a sense of security and self-soothing behaviors. Laura Wood and Michelle Bieber discuss the bonding hormones released during nighttime rituals and the challenges posed by childhood trauma. They also emphasize the need to rule out medical conditions like thyroid issues and sleep apnea when addressing persistent fatigue, ensuring that you have a comprehensive approach to improving sleep quality and overall well-being.

Finally, we'll tackle the often-overlooked aspects of dietary sensitivities and chronic stress on your energy levels. Learn practical methods for identifying food sensitivities and the critical role of gut health. Discover how chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue and effective strategies for managing it, from behavioral activation to engaging in hobbies and social connections. With valuable tips on recognizing and combating fatigue, this episode promises to equip you with the tools to boost your energy and enrich your life.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Why do we procrastinate even when we know it's hurting us? In this episode of "Why Am I Like This?", we unravel the complex relationship between procrastination and emotional dysregulation. By examining the various factors like fear of failure, lack of motivation, and low self-efficacy, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of why postponing tasks becomes a coping mechanism. With personal anecdotes and insights, we also discuss how procrastination intertwines with mental health conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression, making it a far more intricate issue than mere laziness.

Procrastination doesn’t just mess with your deadlines—it messes with your health too. Chronic delays can spike your stress levels, leading to severe physical ailments like heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal problems. We dive deep into the psychological toll, from disrupted sleep patterns to a weakened immune system. To counteract these detrimental effects, we share practical strategies centered around intrinsic motivation and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Learn how breaking tasks into manageable steps and using grounding techniques can not only improve productivity but also significantly reduce stress.

Ever felt like mundane tasks are an insurmountable mountain? You're not alone. We discuss how establishing routines and practicing mindfulness can transform these daily drudgeries into manageable activities. Through personal stories and practical advice, we explore how not being too harsh on ourselves for occasional lapses can foster resilience. From the benefits of social engagement to the power of music and dual attention strategies, find out how you can enhance productivity while boosting your emotional well-being. Join us as we reflect, share gratitude for our listeners, and encourage everyone to keep the conversation going.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Struggling to understand why focus issues seem to control your life or the life of someone you love? Discover the underlying causes of attention struggles, from ADHD and anxiety to depression and OCD, as we dissect how these conditions overlap and mimic each other. By the end of this episode, you'll gain clarity on how stress and overwhelm can disguise themselves as focus issues, helping you pinpoint the real root of the problem.

Ever wonder how to create a calm, supportive environment for a child with ADHD? This episode unpacks the importance of emotional regulation, detailing how parenting approaches can either alleviate or exacerbate a child's impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. We also dive into the impact of technology on young minds, offering mindful screen time management strategies to foster healthy brain development and sustained attention spans.

Learn practical techniques for fostering internal motivation and effective task management in children. From breaking tasks into manageable parts to maintaining consistent expectations and consequences, we provide actionable tips to help your child develop organizational skills and autonomy. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or someone keen to understand mental health and productivity better, this episode promises valuable insights and strategies you won't want to miss. Don't forget to rate, review, and share this episode with anyone who could benefit from these enlightening discussions.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Can chronic stress really trap us in a perpetual state of fight or flight? In this episode of "Why Am I Like This?", Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver unearth the complex layers of anxiety, from generalized anxiety to social anxiety and panic attacks. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how our nervous system responds to perceived threats and why some stress can actually be beneficial. We also explore how anxiety often becomes a fear of fear itself, leading to avoidance behaviors that can impact daily life.

Our conversation then shifts to the digital age and its effect on our mental well-being. In today's world, constant notifications and screen time can create a relentless cycle of anticipatory anxiety, especially for young, developing minds. We explore how this digital dependency not only disrupts sleep patterns but can also lead to daytime fatigue and irritability. Moreover, we discuss the phenomenon of anxiety dreams and how a lack of restful sleep can affect social interactions and overall mental health, raising the intriguing question of whether anxiety can be influenced by those around us.

To empower you in managing anxiety, we dive into practical techniques and the importance of acknowledgment and acceptance. Discover how negativity bias influences our perception of danger and how early childhood interactions shape our self-esteem and anxiety levels. We offer actionable strategies like slow breathing, guided imagery, and the "bucket" technique for organizing tasks and reducing overwhelm. By validating difficult emotions and creating mental space, we aim to help you reach a state where you feel capable of handling whatever comes your way. Join us for this insightful conversation and equip yourself with the tools to better understand and manage anxiety.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com