Have you ever had a “gut feeling” or noticed your heart racing before a big event? Those are examples of interoception, your body’s ability to sense what’s happening inside.

In this episode, Dr. Kaitlin Harkess explores interoception, the fascinating inner sense that helps us notice signals like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotional states. Understanding and strengthening this skill can help us manage stress, regulate emotions, and connect more deeply with ourselves.

We’ll cover:

• What interoception is and how it influences physical and emotional wellbeing

• The link between interoception and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing feelings)

• How trauma and stress can disrupt body awareness, and how to begin restoring connection

• Simple, practical strategies to tune into your body’s cues, from mindful breathing to everyday check-ins

• Ways interoceptive awareness can improve sleep, relationships, and decision-making

Whether you’re new to the concept or curious to deepen your practice, this episode offers practical guidance for listening to your body and responding with compassion rather than judgment.

✨ Resources:

• Pre-order The Somatic Workbook for guided practices to support nervous system regulation

• Connect with me on Instagram: @drkaitlin

💌 If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps others discover the podcast.

And before you move on with your day, take a moment to pause… What is your body telling you right now?

Anxiety can feel like racing thoughts, a pounding heart, or even a sense of shutting down completely. But what if these experiences aren’t personal flaws? What if they’re your nervous system working to protect you?

In this episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing, Dr. Kaitlin N. Harkess introduces a compassionate, body-based way of understanding anxiety through the lens of Polyvagal Theory. Together, we’ll explore how your nervous system shifts between states of safety, fight-or-flight, and shutdown; and why awareness of these shifts is the first step toward resilience.

You’ll also be guided through a gentle grounding practice and learn everyday strategies to support your nervous system, from breathwork and movement to co-regulation and lifestyle anchors inspired by yoga philosophy.

Whether you’ve experienced anxiety personally, support others in your work, or simply want to better understand your own body’s wisdom, this episode offers practical tools and compassionate insights to help you navigate overwhelm with greater ease.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why anxiety is a protective nervous system response, not a flaw

• The basics of the autonomic nervous system: fight, flight, freeze, and rest

• How Polyvagal Theory explains three key states: ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal

• A guided reflection to notice and shift your state in the moment

• Practical strategies to regulate and build resilience: breath, movement, connection, and lifestyle anchors

📖 Mentioned in this episode: The Somatic Workbook — pre-order now!

💌 Stay connected with Kaitlin:

• Website: @drkaitlin

After a two-year pause, Wisdom for Wellbeing is back! Yey! We’re kicking off with a brand-new series: Somatic Sessions. In this first episode, you'll learn what’s been happening behind the scenes and why we're dedicating an entire season to exploring the mind–body connection.

You’ll learn:

• What somatics really means (and why it’s more than just a wellness buzzword)

• How interoception acts as your inner compass for self-awareness and regulation

• The basics of polyvagal theory and how it maps your nervous system states

• A simple guided practice to help you tune into your body right now

Whether you’re a practitioner, a wellbeing enthusiast, or simply curious about why our bodies hold on to certain patterns, this episode offers research-backed insights and practical tools you can use straight away.

Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.

"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!

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