Welcome back to The Hygge Nurse Podcast! This is our first episode of the year, and I’m thrilled to introduce my friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Amber Brooks. She’s a board-certified anesthesiologist and comprehensive pain management physician from Wake Forest School of Medicine,. Today, we’re diving deep into holistic, science-backed ways to manage pain.

Dr. Brooks is an incredible advocate for treating pain beyond just medications—she weaves together innovative, whole-body approaches that empower individuals to take control of their health. In this episode, we explore:

🔹 The mind-body connection in chronic pain and why addressing stress, sleep, and emotions is key. 🔹 How movement is medicine—and why exercise shouldn’t be intimidating. 🔹 Nutrition for pain relief—what foods and supplements support inflammation reduction. 🔹 How mindfulness and body scanning techniques can help manage discomfort. 🔹 Tips for advocating for yourself at doctor’s appointments and ensuring your concerns are heard.

We also share our personal experiences with choosing a word for the year, how simple habits like walking can have mental health benefits, and how biofeedback tools (even checking your heart rate after deep breathing!) can show real-time improvements in well-being.

if you seek practical, compassionate strategies to improve your pain management or overall wellness. In that case, this episode contains actionable insights to help you take the next step.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

📱 Apps for Pain & Wellness:

• Yuka – A barcode scanning app that helps you identify hidden food and personal care product additives.
• Calm – Guided meditations, body scanning, and sleep stories for relaxation and stress relief.
• Insight Timer – A free meditation app with thousands of mindfulness and pain management practices.

🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness Strategy:

• Body Scanning – A simple mindfulness technique to help you become aware of tension and pain while activating relaxation responses.

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Be sure to follow us for more tips on staying healthy all year! IG: @hyggeabodelife and at our website: The Hygge Nurse

Wishing you a healthy, happy start to the new year—see you next time! 🎙💛