Episode Summary

In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating connection between your body posture and your stress biology. Could the way you sit, stand, and move through your day be silently reinforcing feelings of fear, stress, and even inflammation? Discover how the "brace for impact" posture — from hunched shoulders to shallow breathing — can signal danger to your nervous system, and why adjusting your physical habits might be a powerful key to calming your mind and body.

Key Topics Covered

· A review of the five stress biology influencers: where posture fits in

· How your body's "fetal position" response connects to survival instincts

· Everyday activities that unintentionally reinforce a protective, stressed posture

· The role of shallow breathing and oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in anxiety

· Why forcing "good posture" can backfire without nervous system awareness

· A teaser for a gentler, more effective posture strategy coming in the Stress Biology Action Plan

Conversation Starter

Think about your typical day: how often are you sitting, curling inward, or looking down at a screen? Have you ever noticed a difference in your mood or stress level after simply adjusting your posture? Share your reflections and strategies over on my Substack: Better Pain Coping.

Preview to Next Episode

Next time, we’ll explore the sixth and final major stress biology influencer: biases. How can your beliefs quietly fuel stress, inflammation, and even pain? You might be surprised at how powerful — and changeable — these mental filters really are. See you then!

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Keywords

stress biology, posture and stress, body posture anxiety, fetal position stress response, shallow breathing stress, nervous system health, pain and inflammation, posture tips, mind-body connection, everyday pain guide

#StressBiology #PostureMatters #MindBodyConnection #PainRelief #AnxietyRelief #Neuroscience #EverydayPainGuide #CalmTheNervousSystem #Breathwork #BodyAwareness

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage