Laura and Mishayla explore how childhood experiences create lasting templates in our nervous system that trigger automatic responses in similar situations throughout our lives.

• Our nervous system takes "snapshots" during emotionally charged moments that can be triggered later in similar circumstances
• When we feel helpless or threatened, our body goes into fight, flight, or freeze responses that can become habitual patterns
• Children often interpret negative experiences as meaning something about themselves ("I'm not good enough")
• Adults can help children process difficult experiences by acknowledging their feelings rather than dismissing them
• Grounding techniques help bring our prefrontal cortex back online when we're triggered
• Different grounding methods work for different people - find what works specifically for you
• Accepting anxiety rather than fighting it can reduce its power over us
• Changing our narrative about past experiences helps rewrite our nervous system templates
• We can learn to recognize when we're triggered and create plans to respond differently

Follow "Why Am I Like This?" and leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Share it with your friends.

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

This show is sponsored by:

Core Self

www.coreself.org

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Our gut and brain are connected through a remarkable two-way communication system that impacts our physical and mental health in profound ways. The gut, often called the "second brain," contains millions of neurons and produces 90% of the body's serotonin.

• Stress activates our fight-or-flight response, slowing digestion and creating gut imbalances
• The vagus nerve connects our brain to every organ and plays a crucial role in regulating our stress response
• Trauma and chronic stress can create gut inflammation and disrupt the gut microbiome
• People with PTSD show distinct patterns in their gut bacteria compared to those without trauma
• Healing approaches should include both targeted gut health strategies and stress reduction techniques
• Vagus nerve exercises like humming, cold therapy, and specific yoga poses help activate the parasympathetic "rest and digest" system
• Functional medicine testing can identify specific gut imbalances affecting neurotransmitter production
• Diet, movement, mindfulness, and nature exposure all contribute to balanced gut-brain function

If you like our show, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow the show and share it with your friends.

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

This show is sponsored by:

Core Self

www.coreself.org

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com

Emotions are complex internal experiences that provide valuable information about our values and responses to situations, yet many of us struggle to manage them effectively.

• Emotions are subjective experiences that vary from person to person
• Children experience emotions intensely because they lack adult context and understanding of time
• Anger often masks more vulnerable feelings like fear, sadness, or rejection
• Many adults struggle with emotions because they never learned co-regulation in childhood
• Recognizing separation between yourself and others helps tolerate their distress
• You can express emotions without acting on them through journaling or talking
• Using visualization techniques like "containers" can help manage overwhelming feelings
• Focusing on connection rather than compliance builds better relationships with children
• Teaching emotional intelligence means validating feelings while setting boundaries on behaviors
• Being okay while others are distressed is a powerful skill in any relationship

Visit coreself.az to learn more about our new practice offering therapy, medication management, and innovative treatments like Spravato and TMS for treatment-resistant depression.

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

This show is sponsored by:

Core Self

www.coreself.org

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com