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In Part One, we looked at what neuroplastic pain actually is — pain generated by learned brain circuits rather than ongoing tissue damage. In Part Two, we went deeper into somatic tracking: watching pain sensations with curiosity, catching the fear-story that rides along with them, and doing a quick "what's not there" check to notice the calm parts of the body alongside the loud ones.
Part Three picks up that last thread and gives it a name. In Alan Gordon's own model, "leaning into positive sensations" is listed as one of the core PRT practices, described as learning to relate to your body with a newfound sense of ease. It isn't a footnote to somatic tracking — it's treated as its own skill, deserving its own practice time. Why the Brain Needs This, Not Just "Positive Thinking "It's worth being precise about what this is not. This isn't affirmations, and it isn't willing yourself to feel good. The clinical description of the PRT protocol used in the 2022 JAMA Psychiatry trial lists five components, and the last one is described plainly as inducing positive affect during periods of low pain. That's a specific mechanism, not a mood board. The logic follows directly from the prediction model of pain we covered in Part Two. If chronic pain is partly the brain's prediction that the body is under threat, then a body that only ever gets attention when it hurts is a body the brain has very little "safe" data on. Every minute spent noticing ease, warmth, or comfort is a data point in the other direction — evidence the brain uses to revise its prediction downward over time. What the Practice Actually Looks Like This builds directly on the "what's not there" check from Part Two, just given more room to breathe:
Resources to Keep You Going Book: The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv (Avery, 2021) — the primary source for this exercise, in Gordon's own words. Study: Ashar YK, Gordon A, Schubiner H, et al. "Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial." JAMA Psychiatry, 2022. — jamanetwork.com Website: painreprocessingtherapy.com — official PRT resource site, where "Leaning Into Positive Sensations" is listed as a named component of the approach. Podcast: Tell Me About Your Pain, hosted by Alan Gordon — available on Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts. Ready to work through this with support instead of alone? Reach out to Debra for one-on-one Pain Reprocessing Therapy. #PainReprocessingTherapy #ChronicPainRelief #NeuroplasticPain #SomaticTracking #PositiveSensations #NervousSystemHealing #MindBodyConnection #PainScience #Neuroplasticity #PRT #DebraEngLCSW #ChronicPainSupport
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Perimenopause is the physiological transition leading to menopause, characterized by significant fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. This phase can last anywhere from two to ten years. Understanding the progression of symptoms and implementing functional medicine strategies can assist in mitigating the systemic impact of these hormonal shifts.
Symptom Progression ChecklistEarly Transition
Functional Medicine Recommendations Functional medicine focuses on the root causes of hormonal imbalance, emphasizing the interplay between the endocrine, digestive, and nervous systems. 1. Support Estrogen Metabolism (The Estrobolome)
Note: Patients should consult with their primary care provider or gynecologist before beginning new supplement regimens, particularly if they have a history of hormone-sensitive cancers or are currently using hormonal contraceptives. Recommended Resources on Perimenopause Books
These resources are intended as educational supplements and do not replace individualized medical advice. In Part One of this series, we explored the difference between lifespan and healthspan — and why lifestyle factors like sleep, movement, connection, and stress management are so central to aging well. This month, we're going a layer deeper: into the nutrient support that your nervous system needs to do its job.
The nervous system is the body's command center. It governs how we respond to stress, how we sleep, how we feel emotionally, and how quickly we recover when life gets hard. And like any complex system, it needs the right raw materials to function well. Here are five evidence-informed nutrients worth knowing about — with the important caveat that supplementation is not one-size-fits-all. Before adding new supplements, always work with a knowledgeable clinician who can assess your individual needs, labs, and any potential interactions with medications. 1. Magnesium If there's one nutrient that comes up again and again in conversations about stress, sleep, and nervous system health, it's magnesium. And for good reason. Magnesium plays a direct role in regulating the HPA axis — the body's central stress response system — and helps modulate GABA receptors, which are the nervous system's primary "brake pedals." When magnesium is low, the nervous system becomes more reactive: sleep gets harder, anxiety creeps up, and muscle tension increases. Research suggests that a significant portion of the population doesn't get enough magnesium through diet alone, partly because our soil has become increasingly depleted. Forms like magnesium glycinate and magnesium threonate tend to be well-tolerated and better absorbed than older forms like magnesium oxide. * The Magnesium Miracle by Dr. Carolyn Dean — a comprehensive and accessible look at magnesium's role across the body and brain. Boyle, N. B., Lawton, C., & Dye, L. (2017). The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress. Nutrients, 9(5), 429. 2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) Omega-3 fatty acids — particularly EPA and DHA — are foundational to brain and nervous system health. DHA makes up a significant portion of the brain's structural fat, and EPA plays a powerful anti-inflammatory role that directly affects mood and nervous system resilience. Research consistently links higher omega-3 intake with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved emotional regulation, and better cognitive aging. From a nervous system standpoint, omega-3s help reduce neuroinflammation, support myelin integrity (the protective sheath around nerve fibers), and promote healthy neurotransmitter signaling. Food sources include fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. For those who don't eat fish regularly, a quality fish oil or algae-based supplement is worth considering. The Omega-3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll — an early and still-relevant exploration of omega-3s and mental health, written by a Harvard psychiatrist. Found My Fitness with Dr. Rhonda Patrick — she has devoted multiple episodes to omega-3 research and brain health, including dosing and sourcing guidance. Grosso, G., et al. (2014). Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: A comprehensive meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 9(5). 3. Vitamin D3 Often called the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D functions more like a hormone than a traditional nutrient — and its influence on the nervous system is significant. Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the brain, including in areas that regulate mood, memory, and stress response. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and poor sleep quality. Many people living in northern latitudes, working indoors, or with darker skin tones are chronically deficient without knowing it — which is why checking your levels through a simple blood test is always the right starting point. D3 is typically the preferred supplemental form, and it's often paired with K2 to support proper calcium metabolism when taken in higher doses. The Vitamin D Solution by Dr. Michael F. Holick — the leading researcher in vitamin D science makes the case clearly and practically. Feel Better, Live More with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, Episode 22: "The Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic" — approachable and clinically grounded. Shaffer, J. A., et al. (2020). Vitamin D supplementation for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(3), 190–196. 4. B Vitamins (B6, Folate, and B12) The B vitamin family — particularly B6, B9 (folate), and B12 — are essential cofactors in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Without adequate B vitamins, your body simply can't make the chemical messengers your nervous system depends on for mood stability, focus, and calm. B12 deficiency in particular is under-diagnosed and can mimic anxiety, depression, fatigue, and even early cognitive decline. B6 is critical for converting tryptophan into serotonin. And folate (in its active methylated form, 5-MTHF) plays a key role in methylation — a process that affects everything from neurotransmitter balance to stress response and inflammation. Those with the MTHFR gene variant may have difficulty converting folic acid to its active form, which is why methylated B vitamins are often the preferred option in functional medicine settings. Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally Pacholok & Jeffrey Stuart — a well-documented and eye-opening resource on how B12 deficiency is routinely missed. Kennedy, D. O. (2016). B vitamins and the brain: Mechanisms, dose and efficacy. Nutrients, 8(2), 68. 5. L-Theanine L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in green tea, and it has a quietly remarkable effect on the nervous system. It promotes calm alertness — relaxation without sedation — by increasing alpha brain wave activity and supporting GABA, serotonin, and dopamine pathways. What makes L-theanine particularly interesting is that it doesn't blunt focus or cause drowsiness. Instead, it takes the edge off activation and reactivity while keeping the mind clear. For people managing chronic stress, anxiety-driven sleep disruption, or nervous system hyperarousal, it can be a gentle but meaningful support. It's often paired with caffeine in research settings — the combination appears to smooth out caffeine's activating effects while preserving alertness — which is part of why a mindful cup of matcha feels so different from a rushed espresso. YouTube: Dr. Andrew Huberman, Huberman Lab — "Using Caffeine to Optimize Mental & Physical Performance" covers the L-theanine + caffeine interaction with solid mechanistic depth. Kimura, K., et al. (2007). L-theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biological Psychology, 74(1), 39–45. A Note on Integration Nutrients don't work in isolation — and neither do people. The most effective support for nervous system regulation combines thoughtful nutrition and targeted supplementation with the relational, behavioral, and emotional work that therapy offers. What we eat matters. And so does how we process stress, how we sleep, and how much space we give ourselves to rest and feel supported. If you're navigating chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, or the emotional weight of aging and life transitions, that's exactly where therapy comes in. Reach out to Debra to explore what a personalized, integrative approach to wellbeing might look like for you. #NervousSystemHealth #HealthyAging #SupplementSupport #IntegrativeMentalHealth #MagnesiumBenefits #Omega3s #VitaminD #BVitamins #LTheanine #HealthspanNotJustLifespan #FunctionalWellness #MindBodySupport #DebraEngLCSW In Part One, we explored the core practice of somatic tracking — that gentle, curious way of zooming in on a pain sensation, reminding your nervous system it's safe, and watching what happens when you stop fighting the signal. If you tried it even once, you may have noticed something surprising: the sensation shifted. Maybe just a little. Maybe a lot. Either way, that movement is your brain beginning to update its story.
But what happens when the alarm doesn't quiet down so easily? What happens when you sit down to practice and your mind immediately argues back — "This isn't just a false alarm. This is REAL. I've had this for years." That's where Part Two begins. Your Brain Is Doing Its Job — Just a Little Too Well Here's something worth sitting with: your brain developed this pain response to protect you. It isn't malfunctioning out of spite. When chronic primary pain persists long after an injury has healed (or when no structural cause is found at all), it's often because the nervous system has learned — very efficiently — that this body part is a danger zone. The brain becomes a hypervigilant watchdog, scanning constantly for trouble. Neuroscientist Dr. Tor Wager, whose research helped lay the foundation for Pain Reprocessing Therapy, describes this as the brain running a "prediction" about the body rather than simply reporting what's there. In other words, a big part of what you feel is the brain's expectation of pain, not just tissue-level information coming in. That's not a dismissal of your experience — it's actually the most hopeful news there is. Predictions can change. This is the heart of neuroplasticity: the brain rewires based on new, repeated experiences. Every somatic tracking session is a new data point. Every moment you observe a sensation with curiosity instead of alarm, you are quietly, persistently teaching your nervous system something different. The Hidden Barrier: Fear of the Feeling Itself One of the most common — and least talked about — obstacles in this work is pain-fear. Not just fear of what pain means, but a kind of reflexive flinch away from noticing it at all. Many people living with chronic pain have spent years learning to brace, distract, push through, or mentally flee the moment a sensation rises. That makes complete sense. It was survival. But in PRT, we gently begin to reverse that reflex. The goal isn't to white-knuckle your way through discomfort — it's to approach the sensation from a place of genuine safety and curiosity, the way you might lean in to examine an interesting cloud formation rather than brace against a storm. If you notice resistance to the practice itself — a reluctance to "go there" — that's worth being compassionate with. It's not weakness or failure. It's simply the nervous system doing what it's always done. You can even name it: "There's the flinch. Hello, flinch. I see you." That small act of acknowledgment, without judgment, is itself a form of re-appraisal. Expanding the Practice: Three Ways to Go Deeper Once the basic three-step somatic tracking feels familiar, here are some ways to enrich it: 1. Add the "What's Not There" check. After labeling what you do feel, gently scan for what's comfortable or neutral in your body right now. A relaxed jaw. Soft hands. The weight of your feet on the floor. The brain tends to spotlight threat and ignore safety — this exercise retrains that spotlight. Relief doesn't always begin with changing the pain; it often begins with expanding what you're paying attention to. 2. Notice the story that arrives with the sensation. Pain rarely shows up alone. It brings a narrative: "This means I'm getting worse." "I'll never be normal again." "I shouldn't have done that yesterday." When you notice the story, you don't have to argue with it — just label it. "There's the fear story. There's the frustration story." Separating the raw sensation from the interpretation it carries gives your nervous system a little more breathing room. 3. Work with "windows," not marathons. Research and clinical experience both point to the same thing: short, frequent practices outperform long, infrequent ones. Think of your nervous system like a muscle you're conditioning — brief, consistent reps do more than one exhausting session. Two minutes while your coffee brews. Ninety seconds in the parking lot before an appointment. These micro-moments accumulate into real change over time. When Progress Feels Invisible Healing from chronic pain is rarely linear, and that can be discouraging. Some days the sensation is quieter; others it seems louder than ever. This is normal — and it's actually part of the process. As the nervous system begins to reorganize, fluctuation is expected. The goal isn't to graph a steady decline on a pain chart. The goal is to change your relationship with the sensation — to move from terror to tolerance to, eventually, indifference. One of the most encouraging signs of progress isn't "no pain today." It's noticing that you responded differently. You paused instead of spiraling. You stayed curious for even thirty seconds. You caught the story before it carried you away. These are the real milestones. Resources to Keep You Going Book: The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain by Alan Gordon & Alon Ziv (Penguin Random House, 2021). If you haven't read this yet, it's the most accessible, science-backed introduction to PRT available — written by the therapist who developed the approach. Available at PenguinRandomhouse.com. Article: Ashar YK et al., "Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain" — JAMA Psychiatry, 2022. This is the landmark clinical trial showing that two-thirds of participants became pain-free or nearly pain-free after a short PRT program. Worth reading even just the abstract if research isn't usually your thing. (JAMA Network) Podcast: Tell Me About Your Pain by Curable Health. A warm, practical, and deeply validating podcast hosted by Alan Gordon himself. A good next episode after the somatic tracking introduction from Part One: "Why Does Pain Linger?" — it walks through the brain-based pain model in a way that feels like a conversation, not a lecture. Available on Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts. The Bigger Picture What PRT is really offering isn't just a technique — it's a fundamentally different way of relating to your body. Instead of treating it as an unreliable source of threat, you begin to approach it as a communication system that can be gently updated. One that responded to experience in the first place, and can respond again. That shift doesn't happen in a single session. It happens in the accumulation of small moments where you chose curiosity over alarm, presence over avoidance, and self-compassion over self-criticism. You are not broken. Your brain learned something that made sense at the time. And it can learn something new. Ready to take this deeper with personalized support? Reach out to Debra for one-on-one healing from chronic pain with Pain Reprocessing Therapy. #PainReprocessingTherapy #ChronicPainRelief #Mindfulness #SafetyReappraisal #SomaticTracking #PainScience #NervousSystemHealing #MindBodyConnection #PainManagement #PRT #ChronicPainSupport #Neuroplasticity #DebraEngLCSW #TraumaInformedCare  In recent years, many of us have experienced moments when the world feels overwhelming—like everything is burning, both metaphorically and, at times, literally. The relentless news cycle, global crises, personal challenges, and collective anxiety can leave us feeling helpless, anxious, and exhausted. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “It all feels too much,” you are not alone.
While we cannot control all the events unfolding around us, we can cultivate practices and mindsets to help us cope, find moments of peace, and build resilience. In this blog post, we’ll explore why the world can feel so overwhelming, offer practical strategies for managing stress, and provide a guided meditation script to help you ground yourself when everything feels like it’s on fire. Why Does the World Feel So Overwhelming? There are many reasons why the world feels so intense right now. Social media and 24/7 news cycles mean we are constantly bombarded with information—much of it distressing. Climate change, political polarization, economic uncertainty, and public health crises add to the collective stress. On top of this, many of us have personal struggles: family issues, work stress, health concerns, and loss. Our brains are not designed to process this much information or stress all at once. When we’re exposed to constant threats—real or perceived—our bodies can enter a state of chronic fight-or-flight. This can lead to anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and burnout. Coping Strategies: Finding Calm Amidst the Flames While we can’t extinguish all the fires in the world, we can learn to manage our reactions and build a toolkit for coping. 1. Limit Your Media Consumption It’s important to stay informed, but constant exposure to bad news can be toxic. Set boundaries around your media intake: choose specific times to check the news, and avoid doomscrolling before bed. Curate your feeds to include positive stories and reliable sources. 2. Practice Self-Compassion Remind yourself that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to take breaks, to feel sad, or to ask for help. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. 3. Connect with Others Isolation can intensify distress. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups—whether in person or online. Sharing your feelings can lighten the load and help you feel less alone. 4. Engage in Mindful Activities Mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, journaling, or simply taking a walk can help you reconnect with the present moment. These activities can calm your nervous system and give you a sense of control. 5. Take Action, However Small When the world feels overwhelming, taking meaningful action—no matter how small—can help restore a sense of agency. Volunteer, donate, advocate, or make small changes in your daily life that align with your values. 6. Seek Professional Support If your distress feels unmanageable, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. Therapy can provide tools for coping and a safe space to process your feelings. Guided Meditation: Grounding Yourself When Everything Feels Like It’s On Fire Below is a guided meditation script you can use when the world feels overwhelming. Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and let yourself be led through this grounding practice. Guided Meditation Script Begin by finding a comfortable position. You may sit or lie down, whatever feels best for you. Close your eyes gently, or soften your gaze. 1. Arriving in the Present Take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Feel the air entering and leaving your body. Notice the sensations of your body against the surface beneath you—your feet, your hands, your back. With each breath, allow yourself to arrive in this moment. Release any tension you might be holding in your shoulders, your jaw, your forehead. 2. Noticing the Flames Imagine, for a moment, the chaos or “fire” that you feel in the world around you. Picture it as a swirling energy outside of you. You might visualize it as flames, smoke, or a storm. Notice how it feels to acknowledge this chaos—perhaps there is fear, sadness, or anger. Allow yourself to notice these feelings without judgment. Say to yourself, “It’s okay to feel this way. I am safe in this moment.” 3. Creating a Safe Space Now, visualize a protective bubble forming around you. This bubble is strong, cool, and calming. The flames and chaos remain outside, unable to touch you. Inside your bubble, you are safe, grounded, and at peace. Feel the boundary between your calm inner space and the outer chaos. With every breath, imagine your bubble growing stronger and more soothing. 4. Grounding in the Body Bring your attention to your body. Notice the weight of your body on the chair or floor. Feel your feet pressing into the ground. If you wish, press your fingertips together, noticing the gentle pressure. With each breath, silently repeat: “I am here. I am safe. I am grounded.” 5. Releasing What You Can’t Control Imagine the chaos outside your bubble slowly fading, becoming quieter and less intense. You do not need to fix everything. You do not need to carry the world’s burdens alone. With every exhale, let go of what you cannot control. With every inhale, invite in peace, calm, and resilience. 6. Returning to the Present Take a few more deep breaths, feeling the air move in and out. When you are ready, gently wiggle your fingers and toes. Open your eyes, bringing your awareness back to the room. Remind yourself: “I can return to this calm space whenever I need.” Absolutely! Here’s a loving-kindness meditation (also known as “metta” meditation) you can include in your post. This meditation is designed to help soothe yourself and extend compassion to others, even when the world feels overwhelming. Loving-Kindness Meditation: Cultivating Compassion in Turbulent Times Find a comfortable position, sitting or lying down. Let your hands rest gently in your lap or by your sides. If you feel comfortable, close your eyes or lower your gaze. Take a few deep, cleansing breaths. With each exhale, allow your body to soften and relax. 1. Offering Kindness to Yourself Begin by bringing your attention to your heart. You might place a hand over your heart if that feels comforting. Silently repeat these phrases to yourself, allowing the words to settle gently: May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I be happy. May I live with ease. If your mind wanders, that’s okay—just gently bring it back to the phrases and the feeling of warmth and care for yourself. 2. Extending Kindness to Someone You Love Now, bring to mind someone you care about—a friend, family member, or even a pet. Picture them in your mind’s eye. Silently offer them the same wishes: May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Notice any feelings of warmth, tenderness, or connection that arise. 3. Widening the Circle Next, think of someone neutral—perhaps an acquaintance, a neighbor, or someone you see regularly but don’t know well. Visualize them and offer the phrases: May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you be happy. May you live with ease. 4. Extending Kindness to Someone Difficult If you feel able, bring to mind someone you find challenging. You don’t need to force any feelings—just gently offer them the same wishes, as best you can: May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Remember, this is for your own peace and healing, not to condone harmful behavior. 5. Sending Loving-Kindness to the World Finally, extend your circle of compassion outward to include all beings—your community, your country, and the whole world. Imagine your loving-kindness radiating out like light, touching everyone: May all beings be safe. May all beings be healthy. May all beings be happy. May all beings live with ease. Rest for a few moments in this feeling of open-heartedness and connection. When you’re ready, bring your attention back to your breath and your body. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of loving-kindness with you. You can return to this meditation whenever you need to reconnect with compassion for yourself and others. Even in difficult times, loving-kindness can help soothe your heart and remind you of our shared humanity. Conclusion: Building Resilience, One Breath at a Time When the world feels like it’s on fire, it’s easy to feel powerless. But by cultivating mindful practices, connecting with others, and setting healthy boundaries, we can find moments of peace amidst the chaos. Remember: you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, and you have the inner resources to cope—even when things feel overwhelming. Try returning to the guided meditation whenever you need to ground yourself. Each breath is a step towards resilience, and every moment of calm is a victory. Take care of yourself. The world may be burning, but you can still find your calm center—and from there, help others do the same. |
Debra Eng, MSW, LCSWShe has over 20 years of experience with a wide range of issues. She currently focuses on aging, caregiving, developmental trauma and chronic health and pain conditions. Archives
July 2026
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