Healing Is My Hobby with Jessica Colarco, LCSW

What if journaling could be the antidote to burnout?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the transformative power of journaling as a tool for mental wellness and personal growth. She discusses various techniques for journaling, emphasizing its role in processing thoughts, managing stress, and fostering self-compassion. The episode includes practical exercises and encourages listeners to embrace journaling as a means of self-rescue and healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Journaling helps organize racing thoughts and reduce mental clutter.
• It engages mindfulness and improves mood and resilience.
• Writing freely can help process emotions and stress.
• Journaling can be trauma-informed, allowing for short bursts of writing.
• There are no rules in journaling; it's about personal expression.
• Using prompts can help when feeling stuck in writing.
• Journaling is a mental gym for emotional health.
• Every page filled is a step toward healing.
• Self-compassion in journaling is crucial for personal growth.
• Journaling creates space to notice overlooked moments of joy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Journaling

00:57 The Power of Journaling for Healing

04:22 Practical Journaling Techniques

05:15 Journaling as a Tool Against Burnout

06:03 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

06:48 NEWCHAPTER

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

journaling, mental wellness, self-care, personal growth, stress management, healing practices, mindfulness, self-compassion, therapy, emotional health

Ever wonder why rest doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the critical distinction between being tired and experiencing burnout. She delves into the signs and symptoms of burnout, its causes, and offers practical strategies for recovery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of rest, the need for nervous system regulation, setting boundaries, reconnecting with purpose, and seeking professional support when necessary. Jessica encourages listeners to approach their healing journey with compassion and awareness, reminding them that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a call for change.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout is a chronic state of exhaustion, not just physical but emotional and mental.
• Rest is not enough to recover from burnout; deeper changes are needed.
• Understanding the difference between tiredness and burnout is crucial for recovery.
• Burnout can stem from overcommitment, perfectionism, and lack of boundaries.
• Different types of rest are necessary for restoration, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual rest.
• Nervous system regulation is essential for managing stress and burnout.
• Setting boundaries is a form of self-preservation and helps maintain energy levels.
• Reconnecting with purpose can reignite joy and meaning in life.
• Professional support can be vital in addressing burnout and its effects.
• Healing from burnout is a gradual process that requires awareness and intentional actions.

Want to stay in the know?

Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Burnout

00:59 Understanding Tiredness vs. Burnout

04:53 Identifying Burnout Symptoms

06:47 Exploring Types of Rest for Recovery

11:02 Resetting the Nervous System

19:25 Rebalancing Boundaries and Purpose

22:23 Seeking Professional Support for Burnout

burnout, mental wellness, healing, personal growth, emotional health, stress management, self-care, nervous system, boundaries, purpose

Can five sensory cues really help calm your nervous system in under a minute?

In this closing episode of the October Stress Series, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, reflects on what we’ve learned about stress and how to tend to it with compassion. She guides listeners through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique — a quick, sensory-based reset that helps shift the nervous system from stress to safety.

Jessica reminds us that healing isn’t about eliminating stress or being perfectly calm; it’s about practicing presence, one breath at a time. She also offers a preview of November’s Burnout Series, where she’ll explore what happens when stress lingers too long and how we can reignite purpose and joy.

• Understanding stress as the body’s natural response to danger or demand
• How chronic stress impacts mood, sleep, digestion, and relationships
• Healing through awareness and small, consistent practices
• Guided 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to calm the body
• Preparing for the upcoming Burnout Series: recognizing signs of burnout and rebuilding balance

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Reset

Notice 5 things you can see

Notice 4 things you can touch

Notice 3 things you can hear

Notice 2 things you can smell

Notice 1 thing you can taste

Keep small sensory items around — like essential oils, gum, or a fidget — to make this practice easier anytime stress arises.

Take a few moments to journal:

What helped you stress a little less this month?

How can you bring more calm into your daily routine next week?

Follow Healing Is My Hobby wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who could use a little more calm today.

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

Next month: The Burnout Series — how to notice the signs, restore your energy, and rekindle your spark.

In this short and powerful episode of Healing Is My Hobby, licensed clinical social worker Jessica Colarco explores the fine line between stress and burnout — and how to recognize the moment when “too much” becomes “not enough.” Through gentle reflection and grounding affirmations, Jessica reminds listeners that healing starts with awareness and self-compassion.

This mindful mini-episode invites you to pause, breathe, and check in with your body’s signals before they become shouts for help.

• The key differences between stress and burnout
• Early signs that your nervous system is overwhelmed
• How to recognize your body’s signals before you crash
• Gentle affirmations to help you pause without guilt
• Why healing is about pausing to recharge, not doing less forever

Visit healingismyhobby.com to join the newsletter and access upcoming resources on burnout recovery.

Follow Jessica on Instagram and YouTube for guided practices and healing conversations.

How can a single mindful breath shift your entire day?

In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the theme of stress and healing through a guided check-in and breathing exercises. She emphasizes the importance of being present and taking micro moments for self-care, reminding listeners that healing can happen anywhere and that every small act of kindness towards oneself is significant. The episode concludes with a call to practice self-awareness and share personal grounding rituals.

Key Takeaways:

• The hardest part of healing is just showing up.
• Creating a moment of pause is essential for healing.
• Trust your stress level without judgment.
• Healing can start in any environment.
• Micro moments of stillness contribute to overall well-being.
• Self-care doesn't require perfect conditions.
• Every breath and pause is an investment in healing.
• You are not behind in your healing journey.
• Practicing presence retrains your nervous system.
• Daily practices help you come home to yourself.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Stress Awareness

00:40 Guided Check-In and Breathing Exercises

03:24 The Importance of Micro Moments in Healing

05:09 Conclusion and Daily Practices for Healing

05:28 NEWCHAPTER

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

stress, healing, mindfulness, self-care, breathing exercises, mental health, awareness, presence, nervous system, relaxation

Jessica reflects on a month of experimenting with stress-reduction tools. By journaling daily stress levels and practicing box breathing and the 4-7-8 technique, she shares why stress isn’t something you “fix,” it’s something you tend—day by day. The big takeaway: consistency > perfection.

• Stress care is ongoing tending, not a one-time fix.
• Micro-practices work: even 5 minutes can reset your day.
• Keep experimenting; consistency beats perfection.

• Box Breathing (4x4x4x4): Inhale 4 • Hold 4 • Exhale 4 • Hold 4 (repeat 3–5 rounds).
• 4-7-8 Breath (for sleep): Inhale 4 • Hold 7 • Exhale 8 (repeat up to 4 rounds).

Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome & Context

October theme recap and why this reflection episode matters.

00:20 — What the Data Said

Daily journaling + 1–10 stress ratings; noticing spikes without obvious triggers.

01:05 — Mindset Shift

“Stress isn’t something we fix—it’s something we tend.”

01:35 — Tools That Helped

Box breathing for shoulder tension resets; 4-7-8 for falling asleep.

02:20 — Consistency > Perfection

Five minutes of presence can change the day.

02:45 — Reflection Prompt for You

“What’s one experiment that helped you stress a little less this month?”

03:05 — Stay Connected & Next Steps

Share your experiment; newsletter invite; how to reach Jessica.

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

In this episode, Jessica Colarco explores the connection between stress and physical symptoms. She discusses how stress can manifest in the body, the role of trauma responses, and the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness in managing these symptoms. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and intentional practices to foster mental wellness and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Stress headaches are often a physical manifestation of emotional tension.
• Chronic stress can lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms like teeth grinding.
• Mindfulness and body awareness can help alleviate stress symptoms.
• Trauma responses can be protective but may hinder emotional expression.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for stress-related issues.
• Self-compassion is crucial in managing stress and trauma responses.
• Creating intentional routines can support mental wellness.
• Recognizing patterns of overcommitment can lead to healthier boundaries.
• Awareness of stress responses is the first step toward healing.
• Practicing self-acceptance can shift the focus from external validation.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trauma Responses

01:17 Overcommitting at Work: A Deeper Look

03:00 Shifting from External Validation to Self-Acceptance

04:15 Understanding Overcommitment Through a Trauma Lens

05:18 Finding Balance: Routines Over Perfectionism

05:30 Understanding Stress and Its Impact

07:51 Coping Mechanisms for Stress Management

09:28 The Role of Awareness in Healing

09:45 NEWCHAPTER

stress headaches, trauma responses, coping mechanisms, mindfulness, mental wellness, self-compassion, body awareness, emotional health, cognitive behavioral therapy, personal growth

In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica explores various wellness strategies focused on stress reduction. She shares her personal experiences with journaling, meditation, and breathing techniques, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and small, manageable changes in daily habits. Through her 'Healing Lab' approach, she encourages listeners to experiment with different methods to find what works best for them in their healing journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Journaling helps identify stress patterns and triggers.
• Meditation can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.
• Breathing techniques are effective for calming the nervous system.
• Awareness of stress levels can lead to proactive changes in daily routines.
• Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in well-being.
• Meditation is a practice, not perfection; consistency is key.
• Breathing exercises like box breathing and 4-7-8 can enhance relaxation.
• Keeping core habits like sleep and exercise supports stress management efforts.
• Experimentation is essential in finding effective wellness strategies.
• Healing is a personal journey that can be made enjoyable through curiosity.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Healing Lab: A Personal Journey

03:52 The Power of Journaling for Stress Awareness

08:01 Meditation: A Key to Stress Reduction

10:45 Breathing Techniques: Calming the Nervous System

11:39 Lessons from the Healing Lab: Small Changes Matter

healing, wellness, stress reduction, journaling, meditation, breathing techniques, self-care, mental health, personal growth, mindfulness

In this session, Jessica Colarco introduces box breathing as a powerful technique for stress relief. The conversation includes a guided breathing exercise and imagery to help listeners relax and manage anxiety. The session concludes with a reflection on personal boundaries and choices to lower stress levels.

Key Takeaways:

• Box breathing helps signal safety to our nervous system.
• Breathing techniques can lower stress hormones effectively.
• Guided imagery can relieve stress and promote relaxation.
• Creating a calm space within is essential for mental health.
• Practicing mindfulness can strengthen emotional resilience.
• Small choices can lead to significant stress reduction.
• Regular practice of breathing techniques enhances well-being.
• Imagining a peaceful scene can aid in stress relief.
• Self-care practices are vital for emotional health.
• Awareness of stress levels can help in managing anxiety.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Box Breathing

03:16 Guided Imagery for Stress Relief

07:39 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

box breathing, stress relief, guided imagery, mindfulness, anxiety management, relaxation techniques, mental health, self-care, breathing exercises, emotional well-being

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, breaks down the difference between stress and anxiety—and why understanding both is essential for your mental health. You’ll learn how to spot the signs, discover tools for stress management, and explore why boundaries and sleep are non-negotiables for your emotional well-being.

Jessica also shares practical strategies—like journaling for clarity, building a bedtime routine, and practicing breathwork—that help you move from overwhelm to balance. Whether you’re dealing with everyday stressors or persistent anxiety, this episode will leave you with tools to support your healing and deepen your self-care practice.

• Stress is a short-term response; anxiety lingers even when stressors are gone.
• Clear boundaries protect your energy and improve mental health.
• Quality sleep is the foundation for recovery and resilience.
• Exercise and deep breathing are powerful ways to reduce stress naturally.
• Journaling organizes thoughts, reduces anxiety, and promotes emotional clarity.
• Chronic stress impacts physical health—making proactive care essential.
• A consistent bedtime routine improves sleep and emotional balance.

00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

00:06 — Why Healing is Both Story & Science

00:20 — Understanding Stress: What’s Really Happening

02:59 — Acute vs. Chronic Stress

05:48 — Tools for Stress Reduction

10:47 — Setting Boundaries for Emotional Health

14:03 — Sleep as a Mental Health Superpower

18:26 — Stress vs. Anxiety: Spotting the Difference

19:26 — Taking Control of Your Well-Being

19:59 — Embracing the Healing Journey

20:19 — Closing & Reflection

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Contact Jessica here.

Let's connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

Keywords: stress, anxiety, mental health, boundaries, sleep, stress management, journaling, self-care, emotional well-being, healing