This week on The Quiet Life Michael speaks with DR Sula Windgassen @the_health_psychologist_ .Health Psychologist, Mindfulness Practitioner and Researcher.  In this episode we talk about nervous system regulation, what it means, how it works and do we always need to be working towards down regulation. In this episode you’ll learn:

• What a health psychologist is

• How psychology is used to help physical effects
• The impact mental health can have on our physical health
• Fight or flight and when it’s good to be in ‘fight’ mode
• How stimulants (coffee/energy drinks etc) effect the nervous system
• Moderation and intentional consumption
• The nervous system thermometer chart concept
• Empathy vs compassion
• Research shows empathy can burn us out (empathy fatigue)
• What the bio psycho social model is
• Practical tools to help – how connecting with other people/sharing problems can help
• What savouring is
• How intentional seeking out moments to savour literally changes how your brain works

Dr Sula Windgassen(PhD, CPsychol, MSc, PGDip, BSc)  is a leading health psychologist and psychotherapist using psychology to improve chronic illness, chronic stress and trauma. She has completed five degrees with two doctoral qualifications including a PhD in Psychological Medicine.

You can find out more about Dr Sula on her website healthpsychologist.co.uk You can also follow along with her on @the_health_psychologist_  

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