Episode 38: Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever for Stress and Mental Health

In a world that feels louder, harsher and more divided than ever, kindness can feel rare and even suspicious.

In this episode, I break down how acts of kindness directly impact stress levels, mental health and nervous system regulation. We’ll talk about the science behind kindness, why small moments matter more than big gestures and how both giving and receiving kindness can create real physiological shifts.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about staying human in a stressed-out world, without wearing rose-colored glasses.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 37: Stuck in Your Head: When You Can’t See Past the Pain

Tunnel vision is a survival response and when it shows up outside of real danger, it can quietly turn destructive.

In this episode, we talk about what happens when the brain narrows its focus under stress, depression, anxiety, or trauma and why losing perspective can make pain feel permanent. We explore why some people get stuck there and what it really takes to interrupt the spiral.

If this episode hits close to home, please reach out.

• If you’re in the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, and available 24/7.
• If someone came to mind while listening, check on them. That interruption can save a life.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo

Episode 36: Why a Word of the Year Works When Resolutions Don’t

New Year’s resolutions tend to fall apart by February not because you lack discipline, but because they don’t work with real life.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simpler, more sustainable approach: choosing a Word of the Year.

A word acts as an anchor and something you can return to when you feel scattered, overwhelmed, or off track. Unlike rigid goals, a word adapts as life unfolds and helps you reset without starting over.

I walk you through:

• Why a single word is easier for the brain to hold onto than multiple goals
• How one clear focus reduces mental overload and decision fatigue
• Why forcing goals creates more stress and what happens in the body when we try to control everything
• A step-by-step practice for choosing your word (without scrolling the dictionary or copying someone else’s)

This isn’t about perfection, pressure, or performing your growth for others. It’s about choosing something meaningful that guides you back to yourself again and again throughout the year.

If you’re tired of goals that don’t stick and ready for a grounded reset, this episode is for you.

Free Substack subscription: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com

Website: https://oliviabell.co

I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!

☮️🌿🐾

Jo