Less Stress In Life
Welcome to Less Stress in Life—the podcast dedicated to helping you navigate life with greater ease, energy, and balance. In our Empowered Wellness series, we share practical tools, expert insights, and meaningful conversations designed to support your journey toward feeling more in control and at peace in your everyday life.
Hosted by Deb Timmerman, a registered nurse and reflexologist; Susie Marsh, a social worker and professional organizer; and Lindsay Vertalka, a physical therapist, we bring a unique blend of perspectives to help you move through life—literally and figuratively—with more confidence, grace, and vitality.
Whether it’s finding calm in chaos, creating supportive spaces, or building strength and resilience, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Join us to discover how small shifts can lead to big changes, helping you live with less stress and greater ease.
Less Stress In Life
The Impact of Stress and Anxiety on Pain and Healing
In this episode of the Empowered Wellness Series, Deb Timmerman RN, Lindsay Vertalka MPT, and Susie Marsh LBSW discuss how chronic stress and anxiety affect the body’s ability to heal. Learn how the nervous system reacts to stress, why it can lead to pain and inflammation, and how small actions—like mindful breathing, movement, and reducing clutter—can help restore balance. Tune in for practical tools and real-life insights to empower your wellness journey!
Follow Us:
Website: LessStressinLife.com/podcast/
Stay tuned for more conversations with Deb, Susie, and Lindsay as they empower you to live well, manage stress, and build a thriving, healthy life!
Podcast Show Notes – Empowered Wellness: Episode 3
Title: The Impact of Stress and Anxiety on Pain and Healing
Host: Deb Timmerman, RN, Founder of Less Stress in Life
Co-Hosts: Susie Marsh, LBSW, Professional Organizer, and Lindsay Vertalka, MPT, Physical Therapist
Episode Summary:
In this episode, the hosts explore the deep connection between stress, anxiety, pain, and healing. Deb Timmerman shares insights into the body’s response to stress and how it affects healing. Lindsay Vertalka explains how fear and anxiety manifest physically in patients through tension, headaches, and chronic pain. Susie Marsh emphasizes the impact of environmental and emotional clutter on mental health and stress.
Together, they provide practical tools to help listeners become aware of their body’s stress signals and empower them to take small but meaningful steps toward wellness.
Key Discussion Points:
Understanding Stress and Anxiety
· Anxiety is a natural response to stress. Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, originally designed to protect us from physical threats but now triggered by modern-day emotional pressures.
· Chronic stress impacts the nervous system, immune function, and overall health, leading to pain, tension, and delayed healing.
Physical Effects of Stress
· Common physical symptoms: headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, and immune suppression.
· Lindsay uses a "tiger/lion" analogy to explain how the nervous system reacts to perceived threats and chronic stress.
· Environmental factors such as clutter and disorganization contribute to increased stress and anxiety.
Breaking the Cycle
· The hosts discuss ways to calm an overactive nervous system, including movement, breathwork, and clutter reduction.
· Lindsay highlights that small movements, even taking short breaks, can release tension and promote healing.
Susie shares personal stories about using mindfulness and breathing exercises to manage anxiety and stress.
Tips and Tools Mentioned:
Breathing Exercises
· Box breathing (inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, pause for 4 counts).
· HeartMath breathing techniques for emotional regulation and resetting the nervous system.
Movement & Physical Activity
· "Motion is lotion" – Regular movement reduces stress and promotes healing.
· Short, frequent activities (e.g., walking, stretching) are as beneficial as longer workouts.
Mindfulness and Body Awareness
· Tune into physical cues of stress, such as shallow breathing or tense muscles.
· Use gentle exercise and nutrition to maintain emotional balance.
Environmental Management
· Declutter to reduce mental overwhelm.
· Address physical clutter to prevent falls and improve mental well-being.
Notable Quotes:
Deb: "We don't ignore the check engine light on our car, but we often ignore the check engine light on our body."
Lindsay: "Movement is key. Short bursts of motion help ease tension and release endorphins."
Susie: "Clutter is a mental and emotional burden. Reducing it creates space for peace."
Call to Action:
If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or chronic pain, start small. Try a short breathing exercise, take a walk, or declutter one area of your home. These simple steps can help calm your nervous system and promote healing.
For more guidance, reach out to the Less Stress in Life team. We’re here to support your journey to empowered wellness.
Resources Mentioned:
Click HERE for the HeartMath breathing audio instructions.
Contact the Less Stress in Life podcast team for personalized support.
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your health needs. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Thanks for Listening!
We appreciate your time and look forward to sharing more strategies for empowered wellness in future episodes.
Connect with Us:
Website: LessStressInLife.com
Social Media: @LessStressInLife
Emails:
Susie: sosorganizeu@gmail.com
Next Episode: Exploring Mind-Body Tools to Reduce Chronic Pain and Inflammation