Polyvagal theory gives modern language to that ancient knowing. It helps explain how anxiety lives in the body, why talk alone doesn’t always help, and how small, embodied shifts can change how safe you feel day to day. Let’s dive into learning about the vagus nerve and how it can actually apply to your daily life to support anxiety and overwhelm.

I’m guessing if you’re here it’s because the very notion of confrontation makes your stomach drop. And if you do feel that way, you’re amongst a lot of good company. Many of us grew up in a way that made us dread, fear, or even panic at the notion of confronting someone especially if it’s about our own hurt feelings. For many self-proclaimed people-pleasers, causes your nervous system to spike. Your heart races, your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios, and suddenly staying quiet seems far safer than speaking up.

The best part about cozy hobbies is that it’s not about mastering a skills (although you often do improve) or monetizing your interests. They’re about engaging with ourselves in ways that feel grounding, soothing, and human. And from a mental health perspective, they’re one of the keys to rejuvenating our spirits and beating burnout.

Have you ever felt like you experience the world more intensely than others? Maybe you’ve even been put down by others for being “too sensitive”. To you, sounds feel louder, emotions run deeper, and subtle shifts in mood, energy, or environment are quickly and easily noticeable. Let’s talk about understanding sensitivity through a compassionate lens that still offers room for relief and growth.

I’m a strong believer that everyone is creative whether or not that expresses itself in a “traditional” way. However, some of you have chosen to pursue creative work more consistently or as a job, which has its own added complexities. Creative work is deeply personal and requires you to pour in a lot of yourself. Whether you’re a writer, artist, musician, designer, performer, or maker of any kind, your inner world is often closely tied to what you create. This can make the creative process meaningful and fulfilling, but also emotionally vulnerable, demanding, and at times overwhelming.

As we move into 2026, many people are feeling drawn toward the idea of “going analog.” This interest a response to the exhaustion that comes from living in a world where screens touch nearly every part of our lives. Technology can be incredibly helpful, offering access to care, flexibility, creativity, and connection. At the same time, when digital engagement becomes constant and unavoidable, it can quietly contribute to burnout, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection.

The question most people are really asking isn’t “Should I quit technology?” but rather, “How do I use it in a way that actually supports my mental health?”

Today, I’m interviewing Dr. Leo Mountain, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in gut health, nervous system support, men’s health, hormone imbalances, LGBTQ & trans-affirming care, and other complex illnesses. Dr. Mountain supports patients online in California and in-person in San Diego. We are here to talk about how nutrition and craniosacral therapy can support holistic health.

I currently call Sonoma County home, and although I did not grow up here, I have come to love all that Sonoma County offers. This county—like Napa County, San Luis Obispo County, and Riverside County— is highly known for its wine industry and the beauty, artistry, and community that comes along with it. Visitors see rolling vineyards, award-winning tasting rooms, and fancy bottles. But those who work in this world know another layer, one that includes chronic stress, long hours, unpredictable seasons, and now, more than ever, a deep sense of uncertainty about the future.

For many people, the New Year carries a sense of possibility; think fresh starts, big dreams, new habits. But on the flip side, this idea that we need to create major change in our lives can provoke anxiety and internalized pressure. Instead of excitement, you might feel guilt, or dread every time someone asks “Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?”. The idea of setting ambitious goals might bring up feelings of failure, not hope.

Today, I’m interviewing Dr. Deborah Ma (aka Dr. Deb)  of Puzzle Acupuncture in San Francisco. Dr. Deb is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a licensed acupuncturist with over 17 years of clinical experience. Her journey in medicine began at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine—the world’s top TCM university—where she earned both a medical degree and PhD. She spent a decade working at Beijing United Family Hospital, China’s premier private hospital, where she collaborated daily with OB/GYNs, neurologists, and pediatricians.

The holidays can be meaningful and joyful and also overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally complicated. If you live with anxiety, struggle with burnout, or tend to put others’ needs before your own, this season can feel like a pressure cooker of expectations.

Most of us move through life with a long list of things we should be doing. But “shoulds” aren’t values. They’re often inherited expectations passed down from family, culture, community, or workplace norms. And when those expectations guide our choices more than our inner compass does, we end up feeling disconnected, resentful, overwhelmed, or unsure of who we are and what we want.

“Be a team player.” If you’ve ever read a job posting or sat through a performance review, you’ve probably seen this phrase. It sounds innocent, even virtuous. After all, teamwork is important, right?

But here’s the thing: this so-called “team player” expectation often comes with hidden costs that not everyone feels them equally.

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many people notice their mood shifting. November, especially, tends to bring a wave of heaviness, tiredness, or unexpected sadness. If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I feel down every November?”, you’re far from alone.

Helping professionals and anyone whose job centers on supporting others—tend to be some of the most compassionate, emotionally attuned people in the workforce. Yet those same strengths make them particularly vulnerable to burnout.

Birthdays are supposed to be joyful, affirming milestones—but for many people-pleasers, they can feel wildly uncomfortable. If you find yourself dreading your birthday rather than looking forward to it, you’re not alone. Here’s why this happens, what’s going on beneath the surface, and how you can navigate it more gently.

Welcome Back to My Holistic Healing Interview Series

Today I’m interviewing Chloe France, MSW, who is a social worker specializing in working with folks with dementia and their caregivers. We wanted to talk today about the upcoming holidays and why caregivers may need and benefit from some specialized support. 

In this first installment of Tiny Cottage Therapy’s new Holistic Healing Interview Series:

Discover how naturopathic medicine supports mental health by addressing the body’s root causes. We speak with Dr. Kirstin Uncur, ND, a naturopathic doctor specializing in mental health, hormone balance, and chronic fatigue. Dr. Uncur shares how understanding the body’s communication—through digestion, inflammation, and nutrient balance—can transform emotional wellbeing.