Heal Your Mind, Heal Your Body

Having empathy for others is a wonderful ally. However, if this immense sensitivity for others begins to absorb your own feelings, you could be making yourself sick. In this episode, I explain how hyper-empathetic behaviors can lead to a "frozen" limbic system response. Highly empathetic people have mirror neurons that take on the emotions of others, making them vulnerable to the stress contagion. They have a keen sense of what others are feeling which is derived from our survival mechanism reading safety cues. Often people who have experienced adverse childhood traumas and chronic invalidation develop this skill for empathy, and at a cost. Tune-in and find out how to avoid letting your empathy go too far. Be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

When stress occurs, sometimes there's no where to run and the survival mechanism signals "freeze," and plays possum. In this follow up episode about being functionally-frozen, I'll explain what you can do to melt this deep freeze. You'll be amazed at the difference a few simple techniques can make when we move from sensory overload and isolation to a sense of safety. Be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

Ever catch yourself staring into space, mentally numb or checked-out? Or feel like you're watching yourself in a movie, disconnected from reality and find yourself sitting in your car before going inside to avoid the imminent overload of demands once you walk in the door. Some men will hide-out in the bathroom. This is called being functionally-frozen which is a prolonged sensory shut-down. This functional freeze may be harmless, but it could also be a sign of a more serious issue called a dorsal vagal shut-down which can impact gastrointestinal health. In this first of a two-part series, I'll explain what's behind this sympathetic system response that can lead to mental and physical immobilization. Be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

From a young age, Morgan suffered from multiple conditions, diagnoses and endless doctor visits with no successful treatments. Her illness became her identity. After reaching her rock-bottom moment, she started exploring mind-body methods with me which changed everything. Listen to how Morgan turned her life around, and now is passionate about helping others use their mind to heal their body. Be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

Lilly's nauseous condition prevented her from keeping food down, and almost cost her a college scholarship. Her life began "spiraling" due to the pressures in life and at school as her condition worsened. Doctors continued to misdiagnose and "label" her unfortunately. Finally, her GI doctor suggested visiting me. Listen to the moment her life began to shift and her symptoms decreased while using a "soft-focus gaze." Be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

Did you hear? My new podcast is one of the top 10% most popular shows out of more than 3.4 million podcasts! Thank you so much for listening! Would you help spread the healing vibes by Liking, Subscribing and/or adding Comments? And, be sure to check out my podcast companion workbook, Why Is My Body Betraying Me? at drskyler.net/store. It's like having a one-on-one session with me...Now, today’s podcast focuses on the secondary gains that prevent healing. Although suffering from illness, often there are hidden benefits from being sick that hold us back from moving forward. Secondary gains may include being able to skip school, homework and chores. Or it can involve receiving special attention. I’ll highlight more examples in the podcast, and explain how to lovingly undermine these tactics. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

Today’s podcast is the second of two interviews with pediatric Dr. Shaista Safder where we discuss brain-gut disorders such as IBS, abdominal pain, gas, bloating and their connection to the neurological control of the GI-motility function. Sounds technical, but in simpler terms, our gut responds to how we feel. Listen as Dr. Shafder and I explain how a physical disorder can be successfully treated with psychotherapy. The irony is that it's not just "in your head." We have a second brain at play. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsletter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: Moving From Victim to Warrior."

Back in 2017, pediatric Dr. Shaista Safder called me for help with, what I call now, The Miracle Patient. Dr. Safder says this young woman was one of the most challenging cases she'd ever come across. The patient complained with a lot of GI symptoms, pain and feeding intolerance. After an extensive diagnostic discovery process, Dr. Safder was "perplexed" that none of the treatment plans showed any signs of helping, and causing more complications. Dr. Safder recognized there may be other factors at play, including bio-psycho-social elements. When I received Dr. Safder's call, little did I know then that this case would forever change my practice. Learn how by listening to this fascinating story. Also, I'm offering two FREE downloads at drskyler.net upon signing up for my weekly newsetter, including "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew" and "Healing Phases: From Victim to Warrior."

If 90% of our thoughts each day are on repeat, imagine how our core beliefs about ourselves are damaged if most of them are ANTs. Conversely, if we turn ANTs into ALTs, the impact in our mental health and healing process will be significant, to say the least. In this episode, I'll explain how our brain changes from ANTs, accelerating the aging process and fuels the disease process. I'll share some common examples, so you can learn to catch them fast, and replace them with ALTs. Learn more at drskyler.net and receive "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew."

Learn how the prevalent Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) can sabotage your self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-worth. But if we can produce ANTs, why can't we overcome them with Automatic Loving Thoughts (ALTs)? In this episode, I'll share where ANTs come from, and the importance and ramifications from cultivating ALTs in your life. This is one skill we definitely want to pass along to your children, partners, friends and to ourselves. Plus, I'll share a powerful, and proven, tool to transform ANTs to ALTs. Learn more at drskyler.net and receive "5 Things Every Child Wishes Their Parents Knew."