Positively Real Podcast Brittny King

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, I'm filled with gratitude and vulnerability as I share my mental health journey with you. It's a narrative that spans years of struggle, moments of clarity, and ultimately, a commitment to prioritizing my well-being. I invite you to join me for this episode where I share my experience, learnings, and hopes for your journey.

A few lessons I share:


How nervous systems begin in the womb
How my ADHD and dyslexia diagnoses impacted my life
How I got past the feeling that something was wrong with me
How I learned that I was in a constant state of fight or flight
How becoming a mother to my daughter changed everything for me

I share my story with you today because I hope you will find comfort in knowing you are not alone in your struggles. May my journey serve as a reminder that healing is possible, that vulnerability is not weakness but strength, and that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments.

If you’re in the Phoenix area and looking for an uplifting afternoon dedicated to self-care, self-love, and a whole lot of fun, join me at Breathe + Connect!

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com 

Welcome to the final episode of our Stress Less podcast series. Over the past month, we’ve discussed various aspects of understanding, managing, and navigating stress. Today, I’ll recap all the valuable suggestions, tools, and techniques from the series to serve as a go-to resource whenever you need a reminder on dealing with stress.

Stress Reduction


Identify stressors and remove sources of stress whenever possible. 
Practice “circumstance hopping” by exiting situations that consistently cause stress.

Stress Management


Cultivate resilience to better adapt to life’s challenges over time.
Practice mindfulness. Increase your awareness of stress triggers and either eliminate them or change your response to reduce stress levels. Breathwork and meditation can help with this.
Journaling provides the space to work through your emotions and understand the underlying messages behind stress.
Incorporate movement into your routine to lower stress levels.
Nourish your body through proper food, sleep, and water.

Stress Resilience


Emotional regulation allows you to manage your emotions and stress levels.
Understand that change is inevitable and regularly check in to make adjustments.
Cultivate gratitude for both what you have and what you hope to achieve and receive.

Remember to start small and gradually incorporate these practices into your daily routine. Begin with just 5 minutes each day and increase the time or activities as you become more confident in your practice.

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com

We’re taking a short break from the Stress Less series to share my second book review. This time I’m lucky enough to have author, Erin Leider-Pariser, join me to discuss her life, adventures, and new book.

For nearly thirty years, Erin Leider-Pariser, wellness expert and founder of Sports Travel Adventure Therapy (STAT), has designed women's adventure journeys that empower them to push their physical boundaries, bond through ancient rituals, give back to the corners of the world they visit, and learn more about themselves than they ever imagined. Her new book, Get Lost, blends the wisdom and personal insights gleaned from these hiking, biking, and climbing trips through some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes with once-in-a-lifetime tales of dramas in the wild.

This inspiring book includes her seven principles for Trekking Life with Grace, a set of golden rules for navigating towards your best self.

I invite you to hear Erin’s story, learn of her seven principles, and appreciate the importance of getting lost and out of your comfort zone in order to be found moving forward in a new direction. 

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com

Connect with Erin:Instagram: @stattripWebsite: www.stattrip.comEmail: Erin@stattrip.com Erin’s book: Get Lost: Lose Yourself to Find Yourself

Other Resources:Tara Brach’s websiteSam Harris’s website

For our third episode in the Stress Less Podcast Series, we're focusing on how to navigate stress in relationships.

Stress and relationships are like dance partners, moving in sync with each other. Our reactions to stress are often instantaneous, tied to unresolved issues or traumas from our past. These triggers can be related to our beliefs, values, or even the core of our identity. When these aspects are threatened, it can lead to a powerful emotional reaction.

In our biology, stress activates our amygdala, triggering the fight-or-flight response. This primal reaction bypasses higher reasoning centers, making stress feel overwhelming, even in non-physical situations.

How can we skillfully navigate stress in a manner that enriches our relationships?

Understand Your Triggers


Common relationship triggers: rejection, abandonment, control, insecurity, and misunderstanding.
These triggers often stem from unmet needs or unclear communication, where expectations are not expressed.
Understanding the roots of our emotional triggers allows for more effective communication and coping strategies.

Let Go of Your Manual


We all carry a manual in our minds, detailing how others should behave to make us feel loved, secure, valued, and happy.
If we haven't communicated these needs and directions we set ourselves up for disappointment. 
Letting go of our manual means accepting others as they are, even if we don't always like their actions.
Try embracing the mantra "So let them" to free yourself of the burden of control.

Daily Coping Practices


Daily practices can give us ways to cope and meet our own needs.
Try movement, breathwork, and grounding exercises.

Clean and Assertive Communication


Use "I" statements (I feel this way, I need).
Be specific when articulating what is going on inside of you. If you need support, explain what support looks like to you.
Practice active listening by summarizing what you heard the other person say, asking for clarification, and not planning your response.

The people in our lives are our greatest teachers, revealing where we are not free within ourselves. When someone triggers something inside us, it's not about them; it's about us. It's an opportunity to heal and validate those parts of ourselves that need it most.

Remember, in the midst of stress, there's always an opportunity for growth and connection. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com 

Welcome back to our Stress Less Podcast Series!

In today’s episode, we’re looking at the intricate relationship between stress and emotional regulation. Join me to learn how practicing emotional regulation can lead you to a more fulfilling, harmonious, and balanced life amidst inevitable stressors.

Emotional regulation isn’t about being calm all the time. Stress is a part of our lives and can be essential for growth and motivation. However, without proper emotional regulation, managing this stress is an uphill battle. 

It’s important to identify your emotional triggers and recognize what happens in your body when you are triggered. Here is a worksheet to help you work through this.

Techniques for emotional regulation:


Mindfulness - being aware of what is happening inside of and around you
Meditation
Breathwork
Understanding why - knowing why you want to practice habits
Physical exercise and movement

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com 

Welcome to a new series dedicated to unraveling the complexities of stress and its profound impact on our lives. In each episode, we'll discuss different aspects of stress, from understanding its origins and effects on the body to exploring practical techniques for stress relief and resilience-building. 

Today’s episode begins the series by focusing on what stress is, how it affects us, and most importantly, how to recognize and manage it effectively. Stress isn't a fleeting emotion; it's a powerful signal from our bodies that demands attention and awareness.

What is Stress?


In essence, stress is your body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.
It is information, your body’s way of communicating with you.
Our external or internal environment can trigger stress.

Understanding the Stress Response:


Stress arises from perceived threats to our environment, and our response is influenced by past learnings and experiences, whether positive or negative.
While beneficial in the short term, the fight or flight response can lead to health issues when chronically activated.
Stress will always be part of our lives, and we need it for safety, but we also need to get better at managing and reducing our stress.

Types of Stress:


Acute stress: Quick, short-lived response to immediate threats, that allows us to face or escape danger.
Chronic stress: Persistent, long-term stress that can have detrimental effects without proper recovery.

Self-Assessment and Reflection:


Take inventory of your stressors.
Identify physical, emotional, and behavioral responses.
Prioritize stressors based on impact and level of control.

Stress Management Techniques:


Breathing exercises offer control over the autonomic system.
Mindfulness and meditation bring your focus back to the present moment.
Physical activity, such as walking, releases energy and boosts endorphins.
Establishing routines provides structure and control.

Understanding stress is the first step toward effectively managing it. By recognizing its triggers, implementing stress reduction techniques, and fostering self-awareness, we can cultivate resilience and lead healthier, more balanced lives.

Connect with Brittny:Instagram: @brittnyking_Website: www.brittnyking.comEmail: hello@brittnyking.com