244. What is your child’s nervous system trying to say?
About this episode
Dr. Caroline explores the connection between emotions and physical sensations in children and teens, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nervous system's responses to stress and anxiety.
This week on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline explores the body’s emotional map and why emotions are far more physical than most people realize. From tight chests and shaky hands to heavy limbs and “gut feelings,” this episode breaks down how the nervous system responds to stress, fear, sadness, anger, and safety. Dr. Caroline explains how the brain constantly scans for danger, why anxiety can become trapped in the nervous system, and how emotional distress can show up as real physical symptoms in kids and teens. She also shares why simply telling children to “calm down” rarely works, and why helping the body feel safe matters so much. You’ll learn: - Why emotions create specific sensations in the body - How the amygdala keeps the brain on high alert - Why sadness can feel physically heavy and exhausting - How chronic stress affects long-term health - What interoceptive awareness is and why it builds resilience - Simple body check-ins adults can use with children and teens This episode offers practical ways to help kids recognize what their bodies are communicating so they can move from survival mode into courage, connection, and emotional safety. Homework Activities…
More episodes of Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience
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- 243. Could Oxytocin Be the Missing Piece in Emotional Regulation?
- 242. Are calming strategies making anxiety worse?
- 241. Is Reassurance Making Anxiety Worse?
- 240. How Do Kids Build Confidence If They Never Face Fear?
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