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Heart pounding. Breathless. Dizzy. Exhausted. Brain foggy. Overwhelmed.

Sounds a lot like anxiety, right?

But what if some of those sensations are actually coming from something happening inside your body?

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat share their own experiences with iron deficiency and anaemia and explore why low iron, along with B12 and folate deficiencies, can create physical symptoms that feel remarkably similar to anxiety and panic.

And don't worry... we're not sending you back to biology class. 😂

Instead, we're turning your bloodstream into a public transport system.

Exploring many queries we received in clinic but most importantly, we ask a question that goes far beyond simply taking another supplement:

WHY are you deficient in the first place?

This episode isn't suggesting that anxiety is “just low iron,” and it's definitely not telling everyone to rush out and start taking iron.

It's about getting curious.

Something physiological may be placing extra stress on the body first, and the racing heart, breathlessness, exhaustion and strange sensations that follow can give an already anxious brain plenty to worry about.

Maybe instead of immediately asking: “Why am I so anxious?”

we can also ask: “What is making it harder for my body to cope right now?”

As always, your body may not be working against you.

It might just be pointing the compass towards something worth paying attention to.

Please note: This episode is for education only and isn't intended to diagnose or treat iron, B12 or folate deficiency. Iron supplementation isn't appropriate for everyone, so speak with your doctor or healthcare professional about testing and treatment that's appropriate for you.

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

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🎉 It's our 50th episode!

And for this one, we wanted to look at anxiety a little differently.

We spend so much time talking about everything anxiety takes from us, the overthinking, racing heart, sleepless nights, fear, overwhelm and those spectacular worst-case scenarios our brains can create.

But what if anxiety has also helped shape some of your greatest strengths?

In this special 50th episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat explore 10 surprising anxiety superpowers, qualities that can sometimes grow alongside an anxious, highly alert and deeply feeling brain.

We talk about things like Empathy and Compassion, Intuition, Humour Resilience, Creativity and more...

This isn't about pretending anxiety is wonderful or ignoring how debilitating it can be. It's about recognising that you are more than the difficult parts of anxiety.

Maybe that brain you've spent years wishing would just calm down has also helped make you observant, prepared, compassionate, creative and incredibly resilient.

And perhaps instead of only asking: “What has anxiety taken from me?”

We can occasionally ask: “What has it taught me?”

Thank you for listening, laughing, learning and navigating alongside us for 50 episodes of The Anxiety Compass. 🧭❤️

Here's to finding our True North...one wonderfully anxious step at a time.

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

Can the bacteria living in your gut influence how anxious you feel?

Most of us think of probiotics as something to take after a course of antibiotics or when our digestion is out of balance. But emerging research is revealing something far more fascinating... the microbes living inside your gut may be communicating with your brain every single day.

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, we are joined by Rebecca Edwards, Director of Education at Biome Australia, a naturopath and one of Australia's leading voices in microbiome research, to explore the exciting world of the gut microbiome and 'psychobiotics', specific probiotic strains being researched for their role in supporting mental wellbeing.

Together, we unpack what the microbiome actually is, how the gut and brain communicate through the gut-brain axis, and why looking after your gut could be another important piece of the anxiety puzzle.

Along the way, we also tackle some of the biggest myths and most common questions about probiotics, including how to choose one, whether they really need refrigeration, and if fermented foods are enough.

In this episode, we discuss:

What the gut microbiome actually is (and why Sammy calls them our "microbial overlords")
The fascinating connection between the gut and the brain
What 'psychobiotics' are and why researchers are so excited about them
The emerging evidence around probiotics, anxiety, stress, mood and sleep
How modern life (including stress, antibiotics, processed foods and poor sleep) can impact our gut bacteria
How to choose a probiotic and why strain specificity matters
Fermented foods vs probiotic supplements
and more...

As always, this episode is about curiosity, not quick fixes. Anxiety is rarely from one thing, and probiotics aren't a magic pill, but understanding how our gut microbes communicates with our brain may help us better understand ourselves.

If you've ever wondered whether your gut could be influencing your mental wellbeing (and cravings!), this episode is for you.

Follow Rebecca at https://www.instagram.com/activatedprobiotics/

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever experienced anxiety symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere? Racing heart, flushing, brain fog, trouble sleeping, or feeling constantly on edge... even when life feels relatively calm?

What if, for some people, those symptoms aren't just anxiety?

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat explore the fascinating connection between histamine, gut health, hormones, and the nervous system. Histamine is best known for its role in allergies, but it's also a powerful chemical messenger that influences the brain, digestion, immune system, and even our stress response.

We unpack why histamine intolerance can sometimes mimic symptoms of anxiety, why stress and gut health play such an important role, and why many women notice their symptoms become worse around certain times of their menstrual cycle.

This isn't about self-diagnosing or blaming every symptom on histamine. It's about becoming curious, recognising patterns, and understanding that our bodies often communicate with us long before they shout.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What histamine actually is and why we need it
• Why histamine symptoms can feel remarkably similar to anxiety
• Histamine-rich foods versus histamine-releasing foods
• The role of mast cells and the DAO enzyme
• How chronic stress can increase histamine and create a vicious cycle
• Why some women notice symptoms worsen before their period
• Practical ways to recognise patterns and work with your body instead of against it

As always, this episode is designed to educate and encourage curiosity, not to diagnose. If you recognise yourself in today's conversation, speak with a qualified healthcare practitioner who can help you explore the bigger picture.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to follow, subscribe, and share The Anxiety Compass with someone who's ever wondered whether there might be more to their anxiety story. ❤️

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

Does it ever feel like the world is moving faster than your brain can keep up?

Another app. Another software update. Another password. Another AI tool. Another notification. Just when you've figured one thing out, something new arrives.

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat explore why modern technology can leave us feeling mentally exhausted, overwhelmed and anxious and why it doesn't mean you're falling behind.

The human brain evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, yet in just a few decades we've gone from landlines and paper maps to smartphones, artificial intelligence, online banking, QR codes, streaming platforms and endless digital updates. No wonder our nervous systems sometimes struggle to keep pace.

Together, we unpack the science behind cognitive overload, why our brains crave predictability, and how the constant pressure to learn new technology can leave us feeling like we're always one step behind.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why your brain isn't "slow", the world has simply become much faster
• How rapid technological change affects the nervous system
• Why learning new apps and software can feel mentally exhausting
• The hidden stress of constant updates, passwords and notifications
• How comparison and the pressure to "keep up" fuel anxiety
• The role of sleep, nutrition and movement in supporting a healthy, adaptable brain
• Why it's okay to choose technology that serves you instead of trying to master everything.

Because your Anxiety Compass was never designed to point you towards everything that's new. It was designed to guide you towards what matters most.

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, we'd love you to follow, subscribe, and share The Anxiety Compass with someone who's ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of modern life. ❤️

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever picked up your phone to check the weather… only to find yourself 20 minutes later feeling overwhelmed by war, natural disasters, crime, politics and breaking news from around the world?

If so, you're not alone, and it's not because you're "too sensitive."

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat explore The Headline Effect, how today's 24-hour news cycle, sensationalist headlines and endless 'doomscrolling' can keep your nervous system stuck in a state of chronic hypervigilance.

Our brains evolved to respond to immediate threats in our environment, not to process every tragedy happening across the globe before breakfast. We unpack why negative headlines grab our attention, how fear drives clicks, and why your body can respond to distant events as though they're happening right outside your front door.

We also discuss the surprising impact of bingeing true crime, disaster documentaries and high-intensity TV shows, and why sometimes rewatching a familiar comedy or Disney classic can actually feel more regulating for an anxious brain.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why our brains naturally focus on bad news (negativity bias)
• How sensationalist headlines trigger our stress response
• The science behind 'doomscrolling' and why it's so hard to stop
• Why your nervous system can't always distinguish distant danger from immediate threat
• The surprising effect of true crime and high-stress documentaries on the brain
• Practical ways to stay informed without staying overwhelmed
• How to protect your nervous system in a world of constant notifications and breaking news

Because the Anxiety Compass was never designed to carry the weight of the whole world, it was designed to help you navigate your own.

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, we'd love you to follow, subscribe, and share The Anxiety Compass with someone who could use a reminder that it's possible to stay informed without living in a constant state of alarm. ❤️

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

Do you ever feel like improving your mental health means buying another supplement, downloading another app, or trying another wellness trend?

In this lighter and more personal episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat share 10 simple things that genuinely help calm their nervous systems...and every single one of them is completely free!

From cuddling pets and doing jigsaw puzzles to op-shopping (even without spending!), libraries, sunshine, gardening and comfort TV shows, we explore the surprisingly powerful ways our brains and bodies find safety, connection, and calm in everyday life.

Along the way, we unpack some of the science behind why these activities work, including:

• Oxytocin and the power of connection
• How "flow states" help quiet an anxious mind
• Why familiarity and routine can feel so regulating
• The role of laughter, curiosity and pleasure in nervous system health
• Why sometimes the simplest interventions are the most powerful

This episode is also a gentle reminder that healing doesn't always have to involve doing more. Sometimes, the answer is remembering what already makes you feel safe.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to follow, subscribe, and share The Anxiety Compass with someone who might need the reminder that sometimes the best medicine doesn't cost a thing. ❤️

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here

Send us Fan Mail

What if some of the symptoms you blame on anxiety are actually your body asking for water?

In this episode of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy and Nat explore the often-overlooked connection between dehydration, the nervous system, and anxiety-like symptoms.

From dizziness and brain fog to racing hearts and feeling "on edge," dehydration can create physical sensations that closely mimic anxiety, making it difficult to know what's really going on.

Together, they discuss:

💧 Why dehydration and anxiety can feel so similar

💧 The impact hydration has on the brain and nervous system

💧 How even mild dehydration may affect mood, focus, and stress levels

💧 The role of electrolytes and why hydration isn't always just about drinking more water

💧 Simple signs your body may be asking for more hydration

This conversation isn't about suggesting water cures anxiety. Instead, it's about learning to listen to your body and recognising that sometimes anxiety has multiple layers, emotional, mental, and physical.

Because before assuming every symptom is anxiety, it may be worth asking:

"What does my body need right now?"

Support the show

👉 Grab your free Anxiety Compass download here

👉 Grab a copy of Sammy's Book, Anxiety, The Best Teacher You Never Asked For here

Follow us @theanxietycompass

Connect with Sammy @nutritionwithsammy or website

Connect with Natalie @nataliemarieinbalance or book discovery call here