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cover art for Ep. 85 Understanding Stress and Its Impact on Health with Dorothy Cook

The Beauty in the Mess

Ep. 85 Understanding Stress and Its Impact on Health with Dorothy Cook

Season 3, Ep. 85

In this episode of 'The Beauty In The Mess,' Michele interviews Dorothy J Cook, a stress reduction specialist who shares her personal journey of overcoming a major health crisis caused by ignored stress. Dorothy discusses the importance of addressing stress to prevent health crises and details her approach to teaching clients how to manage stress effectively. She elaborates on five key principles, including body awareness, the limbic system, identity, triggers, and stress-reducing techniques. Dorothy also highlights the significance of tiny habits, internal motivation, and the power of the mind in healing the body. The conversation touches on societal expectations, the benefits of finding community, and Dorothy's plans to expand her training program to help more people combat stress and improve their health.


Dorothy is a stress reduction specialist coach, speaker, and now international bestselling author. Her talent for helping others effectively tackle stress and anxiety makes her a highly sought-after coach in addressing health issues. Her primary tools include neurological and somatic techniques. Through online groups and personalized sessions, she empowers primarily women to reclaim healthier, more fulfilling lives. With over 35+ years of experience in her field, Dorothy has built a global clientele and when not working, is known to zone out on jigsaw puzzles and podcasts, to be artistically creative, or to slow down yet another walk because of intently gazing through the eye of a camera lens. She currently resides in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.


02:50 Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:58 Dorothy's Journey to Stress Reduction

03:55 Understanding Stress and Its Impact

07:06 Teaching Stress Management Techniques

08:29 Five Principles of Stress Management

10:28 Real-Life Examples and Success Stories

16:04 The Role of the Limbic System

17:54 Empowerment and Seeking Help

24:50 Pharmaceuticals vs. Natural Remedies

33:01 Understanding Familiarity and Change

33:41 Building New Pathways in the Brain

36:01 Motivation and Tiny Habits

40:00 Community and Support Systems

44:55 Managing Stress and the Limbic System

51:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


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