Nervous System — A Body, Mind, Brain Approach to Wellness

The Neuroscience of Fear and 5 Helpful Tips

This blog is not about influencing how you feel about the coronavirus. It’s not about giving you any facts, numbers, percentages or travel advice. And it’s not about comparing your chances of getting the virus to getting another flu, SARS, or any other disease for that matter. All I want to do is help you feel more relaxed so that you can gain perspective and approach the news with a clear head. Because the news is sensational! It’s about grabbing your attention. And what all reporters know is that nothing grabs our attention as quickly as fear.

Rachel PosnerMarch 10, 2020Neuroscience, Coronavirus, Nervous System, Fight/Flight/Freeze, Guided Meditation

Can Noticing The Sensations In Your Body Reduce Stress and Anxiety?

Did you know that one of the best ways to lower anxiety is to practice interoception; the skill of paying attention to the sensations in your body? This simple practice of shifting your awareness from your mind to your body can calm your nervous system and reduce ruminating thoughts and anxiety. It also strengthens a part of your brain called the insula which is the center of the mind/body/brain connection.

Keeping Stress In Check

On Monday mornings, I take a look at my schedule, goals, intentions and to-dos for the week. There are some weeks when I do this and I honestly feel crushed by it. And there are other days when my week looks exactly the same, and I feel great and excited about the challenges in front of me. Why is that? Why do I have such different responses to the same situation?

Stress ReductionRachel PosnerNovember 6, 2019Nervous System, Anxiety, Compassion, Meditation

Here's to Wilderness and See You Next Year Utah!

I am lying on a bed of soft pebbles on the northern point of Red Pine Lake surrounded by two 10 year olds and two 13 year olds deep in a spontaneous “choose your own adventure” game led by my favorite 13 year old boy on the planet. We are one day into a camping trip that I’ve been anticipating for months.

MindfulnessRachel PosnerAugust 17, 2019Nature, Spain, Neuroscience, Nervous System, Travel

Top 5 Reasons to go on a Yoga Retreat

I am just back from my own personal retreat and am reminded of how important taking time for myself is. When my daughters were old enough, I made a personal commitment to doing this at least once a year and I am always blown away by how much I learn and how much energy I return with. I just came across another, “top reasons to go on a yoga retreat” article and the reasons didn’t quite resonate with me so, fresh from my own retreat, I thought I’d write my own.

Just Enough Discomfort and a Retreat to Spain

I was having a moment of deep appreciation for my yoga practice the other day when during shvasana, I realized that yoga is one of the few familiar and comfortable places in my life right now.