Calm With Me

In this episode of Calm With Me, Meredith returns to the topic of the perimenopausal brain, exploring not just the physical symptoms but the deeper shift in identity that many women experience during this transition.Perimenopause often begins gradually, with mood changes, sleep disruption, anxiety, and physical symptoms appearing years before menstrual cycles noticeably change. Without clear information, these changes can slowly erode confidence and leave many women feeling like strangers in their own bodies. Neuroscience shows that these experiences are rooted in real biological changes as the brain adapts to declining estrogen, reorganizing systems involved in memory, emotion, and self-perception.Rather than viewing this as decline, Meredith introduces a more empowering perspective drawn from both neuroscience and traditional healing systems, which describe menopause as a “Second Spring,” a time of integration and wisdom.She offers a simple framework for navigating the transition using the acronym AIR: Acknowledge cultural narratives around aging, Integrate the qualities that define one’s true self, and Reframe the experience as a process of becoming rather than loss.Mentioned in this episode:Come with me on retreat: SeaCalm Yoga + Scuba Diving Retreat (Aug/Sep 2026): an immersive journey to reconnect with nature and slow time on the California coast ⁠⁠⁠https://meriyoga.org/seacalm2026⁠WildCalm Retreats⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@meriyogasf ⁠⁠⁠⁠Time Stamps:00:00 — A shifting sense of self01:00 — Recasting perimenopause as a time of becoming03:30 — A Zen story: The nun and the river04:00 — Early symptoms of perimenopause07:00 — Reorganization of the perimenopausal brain 08:40 — The Second Spring: An Eastern view of the menopausal transition09:50 — The first step: Acknowledge10:40 — Rejecting society's narrative for aging women11:40 — The second step: Integrate12:40 — Reclaiming a sense of adventure13:15 — Yoga and scuba diving retreat13:50 — Caring for others through volunteering15:15 — The third step: Reframe17:00 — Reframing insomnia17:45 — Reframing anxiety20:00 — The neuroscience behind reframing 20:30 — Bridge thoughts22:00 — Positive social mirrors22:55 — Reviewing the three stepsScientific references:Mosconi, L. et al. Menopause impacts human brain structure, connectivity, energy metabolism, and amyloid-beta deposition. Sci Rep 11, 10867 (2021).Coslov, N., Richardson, M. K. & Woods, N. F. “Not feeling like myself” in perimenopause: Observations from the Women Living Better survey. Menopause 31(5), 486–493 (2024).Woods, N. F., Coslov, N. & Mitchell, E. S. Effects of bothersome symptoms during the late reproductive stage and menopausal transition. Menopause 30(5), 559–567 (2023).Elavsky, S. & McAuley, E. Physical activity, symptoms, esteem, and life satisfaction during menopause. Maturitas 52(3–4), 374–385 (2005).Ceylan, B. & Özerdoğan, N. The relationship between menopausal symptoms, attitudes toward menopause and body image. Alexandria Journal of Medicine 53(4), 327–333 (2017).Sokołowska-Pawłowska, K. et al. Perceptions and attitudes toward menopause and perceived satisfaction with life. Menopause Review 23(1), 9–16 (2024).

In this episode, Meredith dives into the neuroscience of perimenopause, reframing this midlife shift not as decline but as a profound, fiery transformation. She explains how fluctuating estrogen reshapes neural circuits, why brain fog and mood swings appear, and how the brain ultimately recalibrates through neuroplasticity. Rather than fragile butterflies, Meredith invites listeners to embody the volcanic power of Pele—creative, potent, and unapologetically alive.She explores the science behind sleep disruption, from progesterone dips to circadian shifts, and shares practical tools such as breath counting, progressive relaxation, Raja yoga meditation, and yoga nidra, all shown to ease menopausal insomnia. Meredith also challenges the outdated cultural narrative that aging women become invisible, encouraging listeners to claim this stage as one of wisdom, spaciousness, and renewed purpose. She closes with an invitation to her upcoming workshop, a reminder of community, and an affirmation that the menopausal brain is not fading — it’s refocusing.Mentioned in this episode:Get more peace: Micromoments of Peace (free guide): 10 simple ways to create calm and presence in your day ⁠⁠https://meriyoga.org/micromoments⁠⁠Free Yoga Nidra Audio PracticeCome with me on retreat: SacredCalm Yoga + Hiking Retreat (May 2026): an immersive journey to reconnect with nature and slow time on the California coast ⁠⁠https://meriyoga.org/sacredcalm_2026⁠⁠WildCalm RetreatsBecoming Her Again Workshop SIS Circle (collaborative workshop partners)Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@meriyogasf ⁠⁠⁠Time Stamps:00:00 — Why the menopausal brain is rewiring, not breaking01:00 — Recasting perimenopause as a time of becoming02:10 — The butterfly metaphor vs. the volcanic energy of Pele04:00 — Brain fog, estrogen shifts, and neuroplastic adaptation06:15 — Mindfulness as a buffer for attention, memory, and stress08:10 — Sleep disruption: hormones, circadian rhythm, and anxiety loops10:00 — Breath counting + progressive relaxation for returning to sleep12:00 — Meditation research: Raja yoga and insomnia relief13:30 — Yoga nidra as a nighttime reset15:00 — Rewriting the cultural narrative of aging and claiming midlife power17:00 — Invitation to the Becoming Her Again workshop & closing reflectionsScientific references:Mosconi, L. et al. Menopause impacts human brain structure, connectivity, energy metabolism. Sci Rep 11, 10867 (2021).Epperson CN, et al., Menopause effects on verbal memory: findings from a longitudinal community cohort. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 98(9):3829-38 (2013) .Streeter CC, et al., Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Med Hypotheses, 78(5):571-9 (2012) .Portella, C.S.,et al. Meditation as an approach to lessen menopausal symptoms and insomnia in working women undergoing the menopausal transition period: A randomized controlled trial. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 8 (4), 278-284 (2021) .

In this special Halloween episode of Calm With Me, Dr. Meredith explores the metaphor of the “hungry ghost” — that restless inner part of us that’s always grasping for more… more achievement, more validation, more stuff. Blending neuroscience and yogic wisdom, she unpacks why the brain is wired to chase, how our nervous systems get caught in loops of craving, and what it takes to shift from perpetual hunger to genuine nourishment.Meredith guides you through simple practices to calm the craving brain, soften self-pressure, and reconnect with the quieter truth underneath all the wanting.The episode then takes a dive into the neurobiology of fear, both to understand how to tame fear and panic in the moment, but also the science behind why we sometimes find fear to be so fun (think Halloween, haunted houses and horror movies!). At the heart of all this — craving, not-enoughness, and even the strange thrill of fear — is a simple truth: our brains are built for survival, not serenity. Yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness help us to retrain the system, strengthening the pathways that regulate fear and easing the urgency to grasp for more. This episode offers a gentle, compassionate path through the fear and back to yourself — one breath at a time.Mentioned in this episode:Get more peace: Micromoments of Peace (free guide): 10 simple ways to create calm and presence in your day ⁠⁠https://meriyoga.org/micromoments⁠⁠Come with me on retreat: SacredCalm Yoga + Hiking Retreat (May 2026): an immersive journey to reconnect with nature and slow time on the California coast ⁠⁠https://meriyoga.org/sacredcalm_2026⁠⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠@meriyogasf ⁠⁠Time stamps:00:00 Intro02:00 Halloween, Samhain and the thinning veil03:10 Hungry Ghost Month05:20 Craving and lack06:30 The fifth Yama: Aparigraha07:10 Dopamine hits and the neuroscience of craving09:00 Your brain on gratitude10:00 Gratitude practice09:10 Analogy: Power vinyasa vs. restorative yoga10:00 Pranayama- 5th limb of yoga11:20 Breathwork or pranayama practice: One breath is enough12:30 Introduction to fear13:10 Your brain on fear14:20 Why fear can be fun: Haunted houses and horror movies17:30 How yoga, meditation and breathwork teach us to sit with fear and craving20:05 Breathwork or pranayama practice: Settling breath20:55 Wrap up and Micromoments of Peace freebie offerScientific references:- Sutherland, M. (2023). Why fear feels good: The neuroscience of haunted houses and horror movies. Florida International University News. - Schultz, W. (2015). Neuronal reward and decision signals: from theories to data. Physiological Reviews, 95(3), 853–951.- Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Fowler, J. S., & Tomasi, D. (2012).Addiction circuitry in the human brain. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 52, 321–336.- Campbell, J. I. D., et al. (2023). Eating ultraprocessed foods increases dopamine responses in the human brain. Nature Neuroscience, 26, 971–980.- Kini, P., Wong, J., McInnis, S., Gabana, N., & Brown, J. W. (2016). The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1–14.- Fox, K. C. R., et al. (2016). Functional brain plasticity associated with meditation and mindfulness. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 65, 313–334.- LeDoux, J. E. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23, 155–184.- Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422.- Jerath, R., Edry, J. W., Barnes, V. A., & Jerath, V. (2006). Physiology of long pranayamic breathing... Medical Hypotheses, 67(3), 566–571.- Sutherland, M. R., et al. (2021). The thrill of fear: Individual differences in fear reactivity and enjoyment across contexts. Psychophysiology, 58(9).- Mobbs, D., et al. (2015).The ecology of human fear: survival optimization and the nervous system. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 55.

When you step into the wild, whether its hiking a ridgeline, exploring coral reefs, or simply looking up at the sky, something profound happens inside your brain. Your focus softens, your nervous system steadies, and your awareness expands. Psychologists call this state soft fascination—a calm, alert attention that restores mental clarity and opens the doorway to awe.In this episode, Dr. Meredith Calvert explores the neuroscience of soft fascination, how it differs from mindfulness meditation, and why both are essential for a balanced, resilient mind. Drawing from yoga philosophy, Attention Restoration Theory, and her own experiences teaching underwater and on mountaintops, Meredith reveals how nature helps us rewire the brain for presence, creativity, and joy.You’ll also learn a simple breathwork practice to deepen your connection with the natural world—no matter where you are—and how to cultivate that same wild calm in daily life.If your brain runs faster than your breath, this one’s for you.Mentioned in this episode:Get more peace: Micromoments of Peace (free guide): 10 simple ways to create calm and presence in your day ⁠https://meriyoga.org/micromoments⁠Come with me on retreat: SacredCalm Yoga + Hiking Retreat (May 2026): an immersive journey to reconnect with nature and slow time on the California coast ⁠https://meriyoga.org/sacredcalm_2026⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@meriyogasf ⁠Time stamps:00:00 intro02:10 Soft fascination04:20 Dhyana- 7th limb of yoga04:50 Default Mode Network (DMN)05:10 Attention Restoration Theory06:20 Mindfulness meditation 07:00 Dharana- 6th limb of yoga 08:10 Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)09:10 Analogy: Power vinyasa vs. restorative yoga10:00 Pranayama- 5th limb of yoga10:30 Breathwork or pranayama practice: Ujjayi breathing or ocean breath12:30 Neuroscience of breathwork and the parasympathetic nervous system activation12:40 Respiratory vagal nerve stimulation and the vagus nerve13:50 Stargazing 14:40 Summary15:10 Wrap up and SacredCalm invitationScientific references:• Pham TP & Sanocki T. Human Attention Restoration, Flow, a n d Creativity: A Conceptual Integration. J Imaging. 2024 Mar 29;10(4):83• McDonnell, A.S., Strayer, D.L. Immersion in nature enhances neural indices of executive attention. Sci Rep 14, 1845 (2024)• Williams, KJH, Lee, KE, Hartig, T., et al. Conceptualising creativity benefits of nature experience: Attention restoration and mind wandering as complementary processes, J. Exp. Psych. 2018 (59), 36-45,• Garrison KA, Zeffiro TA, Scheinost D, et al., Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2015 Sep;15(3):712-20.• Niazi AK, Niazi SK. Mindfulness-based stress reduction: a non-pharmacological approach for chronic illnesses. N Am J Med Sci. 2011 Jan;3(1):20-3.• Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH. Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity. Front Hum Neurosci. 2018 Oct 9;12:397.• Colzato, LS., Szapora A, Hommel, B. Meditate to Create: The Impact of Focused-Attention and Open-Monitoring Training on Convergent and Divergent Thinking. Front. Psych. 2012, 3.• Lippelt DP, Hommel B, Colzato LS. Focused attention, open monitoring a n d loving kindness meditation: effects on attention, conflict monitoring, and creativity - A review. Front Psychol. 2014 S e p 23;5:1083.

Why does time seem to race by as we get older, yet stretch endlessly when we’re on vacation, in awe, or in love? In this episode of Calm With Me, Meredith explores the fascinating intersection of yogic philosophy and modern neuroscience to uncover how we can actually, intentionally, slow down our experience of time.From the ancient wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras to Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman’s research on perception, we’ll explore how novelty, nature, presence, and breath reshape our sense of time itself.You’ll learn:• How your brain’s chemistry warps time, and why new experiences feel longer• Why flow states and meditation expand your perception of the present moment• Four science-backed ways to stretch and savor time in daily life• A guided 4-7-8 breathwork practice to step outside time, right nowMeredith also shares reflections from her recent travels and invites you to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of now. Take a deep breath, press play, and remember—this moment is enough.Mentioned in this episode:Get more peace: Micromoments of Peace (free guide): 10 simple ways to create calm and presence in your day https://meriyoga.org/micromomentsCome with me on retreat: SacredCalm Yoga + Hiking Retreat (May 2026): an immersive journey to reconnect with nature and slow time on the California coast https://meriyoga.org/sacredcalm_2026Follow me on Instagram: @meriyogasf Time stamps:00:00 intro02:50 Rome & why vacations go too fast04:00 The shape of time05:00 Yoga sutras on time & ksanas06:10 Neuroscience & time perception07:45 Meditation & time09:20 How to slow down time11:10 Micromoments of peace12:00 Breathwork practice 4-7-813:10 Wrap up and SacredCalm invitationScientific references:1. Brain, Volume 135, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 656–677, ⁠https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awr210⁠2. Anderson, L., and Shimamura, A. P. (2005). Influences of emotion on context memory while viewing film clips. Am. J. Psychol. 118, 323–3373. Stetson C, Fiesta MP, Eagleman DM (2007) Does Time Really Slow Down during a Frightening Event? PLoS ONE 2(12): e1295. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.00012954. Khan, Azizuddin & Dixit, Shikha. (2006). Effect of Cognitive Load and Paradigm on Time Perception. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. 32. 37–425. Mullen, G., & Davidenko, N. (2021). Time Compression in Virtual Reality, Timing & Time Perception, 9(4), 377–392. doi: ⁠https://doi.org/10.1163/22134468-bja10034⁠6. Davydenko, M., & Peetz, J. (2017). Time grows on trees: The effect of nature settings on time perception. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 20–26. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.09.0037. Mitchell JM, Weinstein D, Vega T, Kayser AS. Dopamine, time perception, and future time perspective. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018;235(10):2783–2793. doi:10.1007/s00213–018–4971-z8. Palmiter RD. Dopamine signaling in the dorsal striatum is essential for motivated behaviors: lessons from dopamine-deficient mice. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008;1129:35–46. doi:10.1196/annals.1417.003

In this seventh episode of Calm With Me, host Meredith Calvert how stress affects our ability to parent effectively, as well as the positive impacts of mindfulness practices on both kids and parents. She shares some specific practices, such as 'safe words' and belly breathing to help manage parental stress and build deeper connections with our kids. Listeners are guided through various breathing practices designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating these practices into daily life for improved mental health and resilience.Link to SacredCalm Yoga, Breathwork & Hiking Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/sacredcalmretreat**email [email protected] and mention the 'Calm With Me' Podcast to receive $100 off this incredible retreat!References discussed in episode:Eric Barker books:Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) WrongPlays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) WrongS.A. Denham. Family routines: A structural perspective for viewing family health. Advances in Nursing Science (2002)S. Dickstein. Family routines and rituals - The importance of family functioning: Comment on the special section. Journal of Family Psychology. (2002)B.H. Fiese et al.The dynamics of family chaos and its relation to children’s socioemotional well-beingXiaoqin , Diya & Thanos. Editorial: Parental influence on child social and emotional functioning. Frontiers in Psychology. Vol 5 (2024) ⁠https://doi.org/0.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392772Hosokawa, R., Tomozawa, R. & Katsura, T. Associations between Family Routines, Family Relationships, and Children’s Behavior. J Child Fam Stud 32, 3988–3998 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02687-wKerr, Ratliff, et al. Parental influences on neural mechanisms underlying emotion regulation, Trends in Neuroscience and Education, Vol 16 (2019), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2019.100118.Cindy Hovington references: https://epcaquebec.org/how-can-parents-support-their-childs-mental-health-through-emotional-learning/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://americanspcc.org/5-ways-neuroscience-has-changed-how-i-parent/

In this episode of Calm With Me, host Dr. Meredith Calvert dives into the physiology and brain science behind panic attacks, exploring how the brains and breathing of those with panic disorder differ, and what we can learn from this about managing panic attacks and extreme anxiety.Meredith shares a few stories from her own life, including a magical dolphin encounter that turned deadly. She also summarizes a number of recent studies that shed light on the connection between panic and breath regulation and takes listeners through a simple breath practice that has been shown to be most effective for reducing anxiety.Link to SeaCalm Yoga, Breathwork & Scuba Diving Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/seacalm2025**email [email protected] and mention the 'Calm With Me' Podcast to receive $100 off this incredible retreat!Scientific references discussed in episode:Bentley TGK, D'Andrea-Penna G, Rakic M, Arce N, LaFaille M, Berman R, Cooley K, Sprimont P. Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Conceptual Framework of Implementation Guidelines Based on a Systematic Review of the Published Literature. Brain Sci. 2023 Nov 21;13(12):1612. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13121612Jhang, J., Park, S., Liu, S. et al. A top-down slow breathing circuit that alleviates negative affect in mice. Nat Neurosci 27, 2455–2465 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01799-wBalban MY, Neri E, Kogon MM, Weed L, Nouriani B, Jo B, Holl G, Zeitzer JM, Spiegel D, Huberman AD. Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Rep Med. 2023 Jan 17;4(1):100895. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895. Yamada T, Inoue A, Mafune K, Hiro H, Nagata S. Recovery of Percent Vital Capacity by Breathing Training in Patients With Panic Disorder and Impaired Diaphragmatic Breathing. Behav Modif. 2017 Sep;41(5):665-682. doi: 10.1177/0145445517711436. Epub 2017 Jul 1. PMID: 28670907.Yackle K, Schwarz LA, Kam K, Sorokin JM, Huguenard JR, Feldman JL, Luo L, Krasnow MA. Breathing control center neurons that promote arousal in mice. Science. 2017 Mar 31;355(6332):1411-1415. doi: 10.1126/science.aai7984. Nardi AE, Freire RC, Zin WA. Panic disorder and control of breathing. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2009 May 30;167(1):133-43. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2008.07.011. Epub 2008 Jul 25. PMID: 18707030.

In this episode of Calm With Me, host Dr. Meredith Calvert explores the neuroscience of being pleasantly surprised, discussing how and why the brain has evolved to react positively to the unexpected and why we remember the delights that sneak up on us, more than those we ancticipate.Beginning with a story of a surprise encounter during a family hike, she offers tools for finding more unexpected delight and shares a simple and effective practice to help prime the nervous system to be more open to joyful surprises.Link to SacredCalm Yoga, Breathwork & Hiking Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/sacredcalmretreat**email [email protected] and mention the 'Calm With Me' Podcast to receive $100 off this incredible retreat!Scientific references discussed in episode:Pennebaker, J. W., & Chung, C. K. (2011). Expressive Writing: Connections to Physical and Mental Health. In H. S. Friedman (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Health Psychology. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195342819.013.0018Klein-Koerkamp Y, Baciu M, Hot P. Preserved and impaired emotional memory in Alzheimer's disease. Front Psychol. (2012) Sep 14;3:331. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00331. PMID: 23049516; PMCID: PMC3442282.Maya Al-Khouja, Netta Weinstein, William Ryan, Nicole Legate, Self-expression can be authentic or inauthentic, with differential outcomes for well-being: Development of the authentic and inauthentic expression scale (AIES), Journal of Research in Personality (2022) Volume 97V.J. Cheng, Inauthentic: The anxiety over culture and identity. Rutgers University Press (2004)Macrae CN, Moran JM, Heatherton TF, Banfield JF, Kelley WM. Medial prefrontal activity predicts memory for self. Cereb Cortex (2004) Jun;14(6):647-54. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhh025. PMID: 15084488Farb NA, Segal ZV, Mayberg H, Bean J, McKeon D, Fatima Z, Anderson AK. Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. (2007) Dec;2(4):313-22. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsm030Girija Kaimal, et al., Functional near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of reward perception based on visual self-expression: Coloring, doodling, and free drawing, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Volume 55, (2017) ISSN 0197-4556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2017.05.004Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2014). The importance of universal psychological needs for understanding motivation in the workplace. In M. Gagné (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of work engagement, motivation, and self-determination theory (pp. 13–32). Oxford University Press.

In this episode of Calm With Me, host Dr. Meredith Calvert explores the neuroscience of being pleasantly surprised, discussing how and why the brain has evolved to react positively to the unexpected and why we remember the delights that sneak up on us, more than those we ancticipate.Beginning with a story of a surprise encounter during a family hike, she offers tools for finding more unexpected delight and shares a simple and effective practice to help prime the nervous system to be more open to joyful surprises.Link to SacredCalm Yoga, Breathwork & Hiking Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/sacredcalmretreat**email [email protected] and mention the 'Calm With Me' Podcast to receive $100 off this incredible retreat!Scientific references discussed in episode:

In this episode of Calm With Me, host Meredith Calvert explores the neurobiology of stress and its impact on our lives. She discusses the global stress epidemic, the physiological responses to stress, and how breathwork and mindfulness can help manage and reverse these effects. Listeners are guided through various breathing practices designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating these practices into daily life for improved mental health and resilience.Link to SeaCalm Yoga & Scuba Diving Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/seacalm2025Link to Micromoments freebie: https://meriyoga.org/micromoments

In this episode of Calm With Me, host Meredith Calvert explores the neuroscience of balance and burnout, discussing how chronic stress rewires the brain and offering practical tips for restoring balance through mindfulness and breathwork. Drawing parallels between motorcycle riding and life, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and managing energy to avoid burnout and achieve a more peaceful existence.Link to SeaCalm Yoga & Scuba Diving Retreat:https://www.meriyoga.org/seacalm2025Scientific references discussed in episode:Guendelman, S., Medeiros, S., & Rampes, H. (2017). Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation: Insights from Neurobiological, Psychological, and Clinical Studies.Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 220Yang, CC., Barrós-Loscertales, A., Li, M. et al. Alterations in Brain Structure and Amplitude of Low-frequency after 8 weeks of Mindfulness Meditation Training in Meditation-Naïve Subjects. Sci Rep 9, 10977 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47470-4

In this inaugural episode of Calm With Me, Dr. Meredith Calvert introduces her journey from chaos to calm, sharing her background as a neuroscientist and yoga instructor. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and offers practical steps to tackle overwhelm and anxiety. The episode focuses on two simple yet effective steps: meeting oneself in the present moment and paying attention to breath, along with an optional movement exercise. Meredith invites listeners to join her on a journey toward a more peaceful life, highlighting the significance of self-acceptance and breath awareness.