Body-based framing of emotional experience — somatic, nervous system.
17 articles tagged “Body and Emotion”
Sometimes the feeling is too big — or too vague — to put straight into words. This post explores a simple multi-step practice for naming, drawing, and reflecting on your emotions, so they become something you can actually work with rather than something that just happens to you.
We all know Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs — but how often do we actually use it? Before self-optimising, check in: Have I eaten? Have I rested? Do I feel safe? Do I feel connected?
Developed by psychologist Tara Brach, the RAIN method — Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture — combines mindfulness and self-compassion into a simple framework backed by growing evidence for reducing anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity.
You wait for big moments to feel grateful — but the brain responds more to small, repeated signals. Research shows consistent gratitude practices improve mood, relationships, sleep, and resilience. The key? Consistency over intensity.
Happiness isn't one emotion — it's a balance of progress, calm, connection, and release. And it's built in the small choices you make every day through four key brain chemicals.
Research shows 77% of people experience physical symptoms from chronic stress, yet traditional self-care often misses the root cause. Your nervous system—your body's alarm system—can get stuck in survival mode long after stress passes. Learn evidence-based practices that actually calm your nervous system and help you feel safe in your body again.
Not every anxious feeling needs a therapy session. Sometimes it's just a nervous buzz before a presentation or that weird sense of 'something's off' for no clear reason. Research shows that simple techniques like 4-4-4 breathing, movement, and basic self-care can effectively manage everyday anxiety without overwhelming interventions. Learn practical tools for those in-between moments.
Research shows that 15 minutes of laughter provides the same cardiovascular benefits as 30 minutes of exercise, while releasing endorphins and reducing cortisol by up to 39%. In a world where therapy waitlists are long and stress is chronic, laughter offers immediate, accessible healing that costs nothing but transforms everything—from your brain chemistry to your heart health.
Dopamine drives motivation, focus, and feelings of reward, but modern life often depletes it through artificial stimulation. Research shows specific daily habits can naturally optimize dopamine production throughout the day. Learn evidence-based strategies to maintain steady motivation and mood without relying on quick fixes that ultimately leave you feeling worse.
Working more than 55 hours per week increases stroke risk by 33% and literally shrinks brain regions responsible for memory and learning. Research reveals that chronic overwork doesn't just make you tired—it rewires your brain in ways that reduce intelligence, creativity, and decision-making ability. Discover what overwork does to your brain and evidence-based strategies to protect your cognitive health.
Chronic stress disrupts every major hormone system in your body, from cortisol and insulin to thyroid and sex hormones. Research shows 77% of people experience physical symptoms from stress, yet most don't realize the deep hormonal impact. Learn how stress hijacks your body's chemical messengers and discover evidence-based strategies to restore hormonal balance.
Research shows that 64% of adults experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, with those having 4+ ACEs facing 12 times higher risk of depression and suicide attempts. Trauma doesn't just affect your mind—it reshapes your body's stress response, immune system, and physical health for decades.
Research shows 64% of adults experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE). Adults with 4+ ACEs are 12 times more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and health issues. Learn how childhood trauma shapes your adult life and discover evidence-based paths to healing.
Most people think listening is about waiting for your turn to talk. But the most powerful form of listening often happens before you say anything at all. Learn how your body language creates emotional safety and builds deeper trust in every conversation.
Even minor daily stressors—traffic, emails, clutter—can quietly take a toll on your health. Here's how stress accumulates, what it does to your body, and simple habits that make a difference.
Stanford research shows that walking boosts creative thinking by 60% and reduces stress hormones by 20%. Discover how mindful walking creates space for emotional processing when talking feels too overwhelming, and why movement sometimes speaks louder than words.
Research shows 84% of people experience back pain during high-stress periods. Learn how emotional stress manifests as physical pain and discover healthy outlets for processing stress before it impacts your body.
Topics that show up alongside Body and Emotion across the LissnUp blog.