{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a8da0e12fe0b9d07886538b/6ad52b960c6b30397bc86aa1?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"#45 Not in Your Head: Psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen on Healing Through Mind and Body","description":"<p><strong>Episode 45: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast</strong></p><p><br></p><p><em>#45 Not in Your Head: Psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen on Healing Through Mind and Body</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Have you ever been told your symptoms are “all in your head”?</strong> Host Emily Johnson welcomes Dr Sula Windgassen, a leading health psychologist, researcher and author of <em>It’s All In Your Body: A Practical Roadmap to Healing Through Mind-Body Connection</em>.</p><p><br></p><p>Sula knows this territory first-hand. After university, recurring bladder infections turned into persistent pain and symptoms that test after test couldn’t explain, leaving her depressed and without hope. A mindfulness course, explored alongside her psychiatrist dad, began to change how she related to her body and, over time, her symptoms eased, setting her on the path to a Master’s and PhD at King’s College London, research into mindfulness for multiple sclerosis and IBS, and over 30 peer-reviewed papers. In this conversation, Sula explains why it is never “all in your head”, how stress and emotions show up physically in the body, and how to rebuild trust in your body whether you’ve been dismissed, newly diagnosed or living with a chronic condition for years. Compassionate, grounded in science and full of hope.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Topics covered:</strong></p><p><em>Sula’s Story and the Science</em></p><ul><li><strong>From Patient to Psychologist</strong> Unexplained symptoms, a first mindfulness body scan, and the moment her sense of humour came back</li><li><strong>The Biopsychosocial Model</strong> Why it doesn’t mean your illness is psychological, and how allostatic load explains the wear and tear of ongoing stress</li><li><strong>Top-Down, Bottom-Up and Bioplasticity</strong> Working with both mind and body, and the body’s remarkable capacity to change</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Breaking the Symptom Spiral</em></p><ul><li><strong>The Symptom Spiral</strong> How pain, thoughts, emotions and behaviour feed each other, and where you have choices</li><li><strong>Still Waiting for Answers?</strong> Sula’s two-track plan for advocating for yourself while looking after yourself in the meantime</li><li><strong>Rebuilding Trust in Your Body</strong> Curiosity, non-reactivity, noticing your nervous system states, and why the basics are underrated</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Grief, Identity and Simply Being</em></p><ul><li><strong>The Grief of a Diagnosis</strong> Why grief isn’t linear, and why going back and forth doesn’t mean going backwards</li><li><strong>You Are Not Your Illness</strong> Two overlapping circles, the three phases of adjustment, and reconnecting with your values</li><li><strong>Human Doings</strong> Why rest is productive, how our phones get in the way, and Sula’s daily practice of savouring</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>About the podcast:</strong></p><p>With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.</p><p>Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.</p><p>Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Links:</strong></p><p>Live Well with Arthritis Programme Waitlist: <a href=\"https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist</a></p><p>FREE Workbook: <a href=\"https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Dr Sula Windgassen @the_health_psychologist</strong></p><p>Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/the_health_psychologist/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/the_health_psychologist/</a></p><p>Website: <a href=\"https://healthpsychologist.co.uk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://healthpsychologist.co.uk</a></p><p>Book: It’s All In Your Body: A Practical Roadmap to Healing Through Mind-Body Connection</p><p>Podcast: How We Really Feel: https://www.howwereallyfeel.com/</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie</strong></p><p>Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/</a></p><p>TikTok: <a href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie</a></p><p>Further Resources: <a href=\"https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie</a></p>","author_name":"Live Well with Arthritis"}