Have you ever noticed that you tend to get sick right after a stressful period, like finishing a big project or navigating emotional upheaval? In this episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing, Dr. Kaitlin explores the science behind self-compassion and how somatic practices (like soothing touch, breathwork, and gentle movement)can reduce stress, boost vagal tone, and support immune function. Drawing on psychoneuroimmunology and Dr. Kristen Neff’s three components of self-compassion (mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness), she explains practical, embodied steps to interrupt the stress-illness cycle and cultivate resilience.

You’ll learn:

• How chronic stress and self-criticism impact immune function
• Why cultivating compassion and body-based awareness can buffer against illness
• The link between vagal tone, emotional regulation, and immune resilience
• Somatic practices to gently support your nervous system when you feel run down or overwhelmed

Dr. Kaitlin also shares a personal story about preparing for the upcoming book launch and having to lean on the very tools we teach when things didn’t go as planned.

If you’ve ever wondered how emotions “get under the skin,” this episode will help you understand the science behind self-compassion and how tending to your body’s signals can nurture both mental and physical wellbeing.

Resources & Links: 📖 The Somatic Workbook: For Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management is now available for pre-order.

Pre-launch bonus bundle available for a limited time:

• Guided meditations to help you stay present and embodied without flipping through the text
• A video mini-course walking you through foundational somatic skills step-by-step
• A reflective journal to support integration and daily practice

Pre-order now and go in the draw to win a Shakti mat. There will be one giveaway in Adelaide and another open to any English-speaking country. Draws will happen October 18th. Head to drkaitlin.com/somaticworkbook for more details.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast for more conversations on nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and embodied psychology.

Follow along: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube — @drkaitlin Website: drkaitlin.com

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” or noticed your heart racing before a big event? Those are examples of interoception, your body’s ability to sense what’s happening inside.

In this episode, Dr. Kaitlin Harkess explores interoception, the fascinating inner sense that helps us notice signals like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotional states. Understanding and strengthening this skill can help us manage stress, regulate emotions, and connect more deeply with ourselves.

We’ll cover:

• What interoception is and how it influences physical and emotional wellbeing

• The link between interoception and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing feelings)

• How trauma and stress can disrupt body awareness, and how to begin restoring connection

• Simple, practical strategies to tune into your body’s cues, from mindful breathing to everyday check-ins

• Ways interoceptive awareness can improve sleep, relationships, and decision-making

Whether you’re new to the concept or curious to deepen your practice, this episode offers practical guidance for listening to your body and responding with compassion rather than judgment.

✨ Resources:

• Pre-order The Somatic Workbook for guided practices to support nervous system regulation

• Connect with me on Instagram: @drkaitlin

💌 If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps others discover the podcast.

And before you move on with your day, take a moment to pause… What is your body telling you right now?

Anxiety can feel like racing thoughts, a pounding heart, or even a sense of shutting down completely. But what if these experiences aren’t personal flaws? What if they’re your nervous system working to protect you?

In this episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing, Dr. Kaitlin N. Harkess introduces a compassionate, body-based way of understanding anxiety through the lens of Polyvagal Theory. Together, we’ll explore how your nervous system shifts between states of safety, fight-or-flight, and shutdown; and why awareness of these shifts is the first step toward resilience.

You’ll also be guided through a gentle grounding practice and learn everyday strategies to support your nervous system, from breathwork and movement to co-regulation and lifestyle anchors inspired by yoga philosophy.

Whether you’ve experienced anxiety personally, support others in your work, or simply want to better understand your own body’s wisdom, this episode offers practical tools and compassionate insights to help you navigate overwhelm with greater ease.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why anxiety is a protective nervous system response, not a flaw

• The basics of the autonomic nervous system: fight, flight, freeze, and rest

• How Polyvagal Theory explains three key states: ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal

• A guided reflection to notice and shift your state in the moment

• Practical strategies to regulate and build resilience: breath, movement, connection, and lifestyle anchors

📖 Mentioned in this episode: The Somatic Workbook — pre-order now!

💌 Stay connected with Kaitlin:

• Website: @drkaitlin