Episode 42:  Are You “Stress Hangry”? The Early Signs You’re Ignoring 

Ever been hangry?

You’re snapping at everyone, irritated for no clear reason… and then you realize you haven’t eaten all day. Nothing changed except one thing: you were hungry.

Stress works the same way.

In this episode, we talk about why most people only notice stress at the breaking point and how to catch it earlier. I break down the concept of interoception (your ability to sense internal signals), why stress always shows up physically, and how a simple 60-second body scan can help you recognize your personal stress pattern before it spirals.

We’ll also talk about early intervention, nervous system awareness and how herbs like passionflower can support regulation without numbing you out.

If you’ve ever said, “I didn’t realize I was that stressed,” this episode will change how you listen to your body.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 41:   If You’ve Been Avoiding People Lately, This Is For You 

At some point, “I’m just tired” turns into “I don’t feel like going out.” And if you’ve been saying no more than yes lately, it’s worth asking why.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between loneliness and self-isolation and why that distinction matters for your mental health, your stress levels, and your long-term well-being.

We’ll talk about:

• How chronic stress quietly pushes you toward social withdrawal
• When it’s time to outgrow a friend group
• What research says about isolation and physical health
• And how to recognize when someone you care about is slipping away

This isn’t about forcing yourself to be social, it’s about noticing patterns.

Are you protecting your peace? Or are you avoiding connection?

And if you’re not the one isolating, this might be your moment to reach out.

Connection doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic, but it does require intention.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 40:  If You’ve Been Indoors a Lot Lately, Listen to This 

If you’ve been spending more time indoors lately because of the weather, work, or life, this episode matters.

Most people assume their home air is “clean enough,” but indoor air quality is often worse than we realize. Between synthetic fragrances, cleaning products, furniture, poor ventilation, and sealed-up winter homes, what you’re breathing can quietly affect your sleep, focus, energy, and stress response.

In this episode, we talk about why indoor air quality matters, how it shows up in real life (without dramatic symptoms), and simple, realistic shifts you can make without turning your house upside down. We’ll also cover a few low-maintenance plants that support cleaner air and a calmer environment.

This isn’t about perfection or panic. It’s about making your indoor space work with your body, not against it.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 39: Stress, Immunity, and Why You Keep Getting Sick

Stress doesn’t just make you moody, it directly impacts your immune system. Most people don’t get sick when life is calm, they get sick when they’re already under pressure.

In this episode, we’re talking about how chronic stress impacts your immune system in real life. Why stress changes immune signaling, why piling on “immune support” often makes things worse, and what actually helps when your system is already carrying too much.

We’ll walk through practical ways to reduce immune load during stressful seasons, support nervous system regulation, steady blood sugar, protect sleep timing, and use herbs like hawthorn and elderberry with intention instead of overreaction.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 38: Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever for Stress and Mental Health

In a world that feels louder, harsher and more divided than ever, kindness can feel rare and even suspicious. 

In this episode, I break down how acts of kindness directly impact stress levels, mental health and nervous system regulation. We’ll talk about the science behind kindness, why small moments matter more than big gestures and how both giving and receiving kindness can create real physiological shifts. 

This is a grounded, honest conversation about staying human in a stressed-out world, without wearing rose-colored glasses. 

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 37: Stuck in Your Head: When You Can’t See Past the Pain

Tunnel vision is  a survival response and when it shows up outside of real danger, it can quietly turn destructive.

In this episode, we talk about what happens when the brain narrows its focus under stress, depression, anxiety, or trauma and why losing perspective can make pain feel permanent. We explore why some people get stuck there and what it really takes to interrupt the spiral.

If this episode hits close to home, please reach out.

• If you’re in the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, and available 24/7.
•  If someone came to mind while listening, check on them. That interruption can save a life.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 36: Why a Word of the Year Works When Resolutions Don’t

New Year’s resolutions tend to fall apart by February not because you lack discipline, but because they don’t work with real life.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simpler, more sustainable approach: choosing a Word of the Year.

A word acts as an anchor and something you can return to when you feel scattered, overwhelmed, or off track. Unlike rigid goals, a word adapts as life unfolds and helps you reset without starting over.

I walk you through:

• Why a single word is easier for the brain to hold onto than multiple goals
• How one clear focus reduces mental overload and decision fatigue
• Why forcing goals creates more stress and what happens in the body when we try to control everything
• A step-by-step practice for choosing your word (without scrolling the dictionary or copying someone else’s)

This isn’t about perfection, pressure, or performing your growth for others. It’s about choosing something meaningful that guides you back to yourself again and again throughout the year.

If you’re tired of goals that don’t stick and ready for a grounded reset, this episode is for you.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode #35: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail And What to Do Instead

Every January, we set big goals and by the end of the month, most of them are already abandoned.
In this episode, we break down why traditional New Year’s resolutions fail, how event-driven goals (like weight loss for a deadline) quietly sabotage long-term success, and why popular goal-setting frameworks don’t work the way we’ve been told.
This isn’t about willpower or discipline. It’s about choosing goals that actually support your life, your nervous system, and your energy, without guilt or burnout.
If you’re ready to rethink resolutions and set goals that make sense, this episode is for you.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode #34: Slow Down So You Don’t Miss the Holidays

The holidays aren’t meant to be a race. In this episode, Jo talks about why slowing down matters, how constant busyness overloads your nervous system, why small moments actually stick, and how presence (not perfection) is what makes the season meaningful. A reminder to put your head where your feet and ass are and take time to actually enjoy the holidays. 

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Feeling off-center, overwhelmed or disconnected lately?

In this episode, I talk about why spending time in nature, even just five or ten minutes can help calm your nervous system and bring you back to yourself. I share a personal story about how nature reshaped my relationship with stress and why it still plays a critical role in regulation today.

You’ll learn:

• Why nature helps reduce stress and anxiety
• How simple outdoor time supports nervous system regulation
• An easy grounding practice for people who don’t meditate

If life feels like too much right now, this episode is your reminder to step outside and let your body remember it’s safe.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo