How connected are you to your body?

Dr Sula Windgassen works in the NHS as a health psychologist, providing psychological interventions for a range of physical health conditions including IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and painful bladder syndromes. Sula has experienced the impact of persistent bladder and pelvic symptoms herself, and is a passionate advocate for women’s health. 

We talk about

4:10 Sula's own health challenges

6:21 The vicious cycle of ill health and mental distress

6:42 Mindfulness

9:14 What is health psychology?

11:29 The bio-psycho-social perspective

14:36 Stress

15:47 Health conditions without 'physical proof'

18:15 IBS and perfectionism

20:30 The brain-gut axis

22:31 Gut intuition

25:59 Boom and bust patterns

29:37 Acute and chronic stress

32:24 Anxiety and mindfulness

24:16 Dealing with discomfort in mindfulness practice

36:24 How Sula pauses

38:00 Shoulds and musts

40:32 Being over doing

Order my book, The Lasting Connection, on my website

Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk

Instagram: @the_thomas_connection

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection

Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay 

This episode was edited by Emily Crosby Media