Connecting to your body, with Dr Sula Windgassen

How connected are you to your body? This week, I'm excited to welcome Dr Sula Windgassen, who is not only my guest, but also the newest member of The Thomas Connection. Dr Sula Windgassen works in the NHS as a health psychologist, providing psychological interventions for a range of physical health conditions including IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and painful bladder syndromes. Sula has experienced the impact of persistent bladder and pelvic symptoms herself, and is a passionate advocate for women’s health.    We talk about 4:10 Sula's own health challenges 6:21 The vicious cycle of ill health and mental distress 6:42 Mindfulness 9:14 What is health psychology? 11:29 The bio-psycho-social perspective 14:36 Stress 15:47 Health conditions without 'physical proof' 18:15 IBS and perfectionism 20:30 The brain-gut axis 22:31 Gut intuition 25:59 Boom and bust patterns 29:37 Acute and chronic stress 32:24 Anxiety and mindfulness 24:16 Dealing with discomfort in mindfulness practice 36:24 How Sula pauses 38:00 Shoulds and musts 40:32 Being over doing   Order my book, The Lasting Connection, on my website   Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk Instagram: @the_thomas_connection Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay    This episode was edited by Emily Crosby Media