Untamed & Unfiltered Wellness

If you slept a full night and still woke up feeling like you have a hangover you didn't earn, then this episode is for you.In this episode we get into why waking up groggy has less to do with how many hours you slept and more to do with where you were in your sleep cycle when the alarm went off. You'll learn what's actually happening while you sleep, what your ultradian rhythm is and a simple rule of thumb for reverse engineering your bedtime so you can start waking up feeling more like yourself. Bad sleep is not something we should be living with and it's definitely not just a part of getting older. This is where we start fixing it.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

There's a version of you that used to be up at 4:45 a.m. for a 5:30 gym class, no problem. And there's a version of you now where that same early hour feels like a personal attack. In this episode I talk about chronotype, the real, largely genetic reason some of us are wired for mornings and some of us aren't, and why that changes across your life, especially after menopause. I'll walk you through how to actually find your own chronotype (forget the alarm clock), why the gap between your natural rhythm and your real schedule has a name, and a story from my years around law enforcement about what happens when a body gets pushed completely out of sync for years at a time. This one might explain a lot about why mornings feel the way they feel for you. Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

You're sitting in the drive-through, ordering the drink that has to get you through the next three hours. You've tried melatonin, sleep aids, maybe a prescription and you're still exhausted. In this episode I answer the question so many women are asking: can holistic wellness actually improve your energy naturally? I'll tell you why exhaustion is a rhythm problem, not a willpower problem, walk you through the real story of a client who was living on Starbucks refreshers while caring for everyone but herself, and share where herbs and somatic work actually fit in plus the one ten-minute thing I want you to do tomorrow. No quick fixes here. Just the honest path to energy that makes sense.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Ep 60: How Late Is Too Late for Caffeine?We know caffeine wakes us up, but do you know what it's doing to your sleep later that night?This episode is about why timing matters with caffeine, that five-hour half-life, how it works the same way whether it's coffee or an energy drink and how your body's sleep signal are affected.If you love coffee, tea, refreshers or anything with caffeine, this episode is for you.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

EP59: Can Holistic Wellness Help With Stress and Anxiety?Can holistic wellness actually help with stress and anxiety? The short answer is yes, but probably not in the way you're expecting.This week's episode drops on the June 29th full moon and if you've been feeling more anxious than usual, more emotionally activated, less able to settle there's a reason for that. In this episode, I'm breaking down what holistic wellness actually looks at and why zooming out on the whole person changes everything. And I'm explaining the full moon connection: not as mysticism, but as biology because when you understand why your nervous system is more activated right now, the knowing itself is regulating.If you've been doing everything right and still feel like something's missing, this episode is for you.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 58: The Internet Is Not Your Wellness PlanEver find yourself 47 tabs deep into health research, more confused than when you started and doing absolutely nothing as a result? You’re stuck in exactly the place the internet was designed to leave you.In this episode, I’m sharing a real story about someone I love who got hit with scary news and immediately turned to Google for answers. What happened next is something most of us have lived through, the spiral, the overwhelm, the freeze.We talk about why more information makes you more anxious (not less), what decision paralysis actually is and why it’s not a character flaw, and why your body already knew something your browser tabs couldn’t tell you.Plus: three concrete steps to actually break the freeze and start moving without overhauling your entire life overnight.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 57: Three Reasons You Wake Up Exhausted That Have Nothing To Do With SleepYou're sleeping but you're not resting. You're waking up exhausted and you can't figure out why. In this episode I'm sharing something personal, I had a string of terrible sleep and when I looked back at what was actually going on, it wasn't one thing. Three different nights, three completely different causes. And chances are at least one of them is happening to you too.We're breaking down the three most overlooked reasons you wake up tired and none of them are "you didn't sleep enough." Plus I'm giving you three simple things you can do before bed tonight that actually make a difference.If you're done waking up exhausted and ready to understand what your body is actually telling you, this one's for you.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 56: Eating Doesn’t Have to Be This ComplicatedEating has become way more complicated than it needs to be.Calories, macros, tracking apps, food rules, restriction, meal plans and somewhere along the way, we turned eating into a complicated formula. Our bodies don't just respond to what we eat, it also responds to when we eat too.In this episode, we’re talking about chrono-nutrition, circadian rhythm, sleep and why meal timing may matter more than we’ve been taught to notice.This isn’t about perfection or adding another set of rules to your life. It’s about understanding how your body responds to consistency, daylight, sleep-wake cycles and simple meal timing shifts that can support steadier energy, better digestion, fewer cravings, and more restful sleep.We’ll talk about why late-night eating may affect sleep and digestion, how blood sugar instability can show up as brain fog, irritability, cravings and energy crashes, and why a simple 12-hour overnight break between dinner and breakfast may be a realistic place to start.Eating doesn’t have to be this complicated. Sometimes the next step isn’t more tracking. Sometimes it’s rhythm.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 55: Intermittent Fasting After 40: What You Need to KnowIntermittent fasting became one of the biggest wellness trends on the internet, but is it actually healthy for everyone?In this episode we break down the difference between intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating and why that distinction matters far more than most influencers want you to believe.This conversation dives into:why fasting exploded in wellness culturewhy men and women respond differentlyfasting during perimenopause and post-menopausemen, testosterone, and fasting over 40If you’re tired of one-size-fits-all wellness advice and wondering why your body responds differently than everyone online claims it should, this episode is for you.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 54:  Why Silence Feels Uncomfortable NowEver notice how the second things finally get quiet at night… your brain suddenly gets louder?In this episode, we talk about why so many people struggle to mentally shut down at night and how constant stimulation, scrolling, noise, notifications and nonstop input are affecting our ability to truly rest.This conversation explores:why silence feels uncomfortable nowhow distraction became a coping mechanismnervous system overload and mental exhaustionthe connection between overstimulation and poor sleepwhy your brain needs a transition period before restpractical ways to help your body actually downshift at nightThis is not a “throw your phone away and move into the woods” conversation. It’s a realistic look at modern life, stress, sleep and what happens when the nervous system never fully gets a chance to recover.Referenced Sources:Harvard Health – Blue light has a dark sidePNAS – Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleepAmerican Psychological Association – Multitasking: Switching CostsSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 53:You can understand your stress intellectually and still feel completely overwhelmed physically.In this episode, we’re talking about EFT tapping, what it is, why people use it and why body-based tools are becoming more important in a world where most of us are overstimulated, overbooked, emotionally overloaded, and constantly “on.”This is not the weird internet version of tapping.We’re talking about nervous system regulation, stress physiology, emotional overwhelm, and why sometimes your body needs more than another mindset shift.I’m breaking down:what EFT tapping actually iswhy it may help interrupt stress patternsthe connection between stress and the nervous systemwhy modern life keeps us stuck in survival modeand a simple tapping exercise you can try yourselfIf your brain never shuts off, your body feels tense all the time, or you’re tired of feeling wired and overwhelmed… this episode will make a lot of sense.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 52:  Why Your Brain Was Never Meant for This Much Noise Constant noise has become normal. TVs in the background, nonstop notifications, podcasts during every quiet moment, scrolling before bed, multitasking through meals and conversations. But what is all of this constant stimulation actually doing to our nervous system?In this episode, we explore overstimulation, sensory overload, cognitive fatigue and why so many people feel mentally exhausted even when they are “doing everything right.” This conversation looks at how modern life keeps our brains in a constant state of input and why silence now feels uncomfortable for so many people.You’ll learn:What overstimulation actually isHow constant input affects the nervous systemWhy small things suddenly feel overwhelmingThe difference between stress and nervous system overloadSimple ways to reduce mental clutter and create recovery moments throughout the dayThis is a grounded conversation about modern life, nervous system health and why many of us do not need more information, we need less noise.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 51: Mental Clutter | Why You Can’t Focus and What to Do About ItIf you’ve ever sat down to do something simple and ended up doing nothing, this episode is for you.We’re not calling this procrastination anymore. What you’re dealing with is mental clutter. Just like your computer with too many open tabs, you're brain has too much input and a nervous system that’s completely maxed out.In this episode, I break down why your brain feels overloaded, how decision fatigue builds, and what’s actually happening when you shut down instead of taking action.This is about getting out of your head, reducing the noise and taking one clear step forward.Want more actions steps? Check out our Substack blog.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Episode 50 is here!I reflect on what 49 episodes have revealed about stress, sleep, movement, lifestyle choices and what it really means to live well in modern life. Plus: the unofficial Episode 50 awards and what’s next for the podcast. Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Technology promised more freedom, more efficiency and more time. So why do so many people feel distracted, overstimulated and disconnected from their own lives?In the final episode of the Living Well series, we explore whether technology is truly helping us live better or simply making it easier to stay on autopilot. This episode ties together the lessons from the previous five episodes and shows you how to use technology intentionally to support your health, focus, relationships, and overall quality of life.You’ll learn how to create healthier boundaries with screens, protect your attention, reconnect with real life, and use modern tools in ways that actually serve you. Because living well in today’s world isn’t about rejecting technology, it’s about using it wisely.If you’re tired of feeling mentally scattered and ready to feel more present, this episode is for you.If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life.And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode.You can find the link here: Substack articleSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

We’ve built a life where almost everything is easier and yet, we’re more stressed, overwhelmed, and disconnected than ever.In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually happened. It’s not that stress disappeared...it changed.We traded short-term, physical stress, the kind that builds strength, for constant mental and emotional stress that never fully resolves. And at the same time, we removed the everyday challenges that build resilience, awareness, and real-life capacity.But this isn’t just about your health. This is about how you show up in your life. From autopilot decisions to surface-level relationships, convenience is quietly lowering your ability to engage, connect and handle what life throws at you.If you’ve ever felt like your life is “easy” on paper but still exhausting or unfulfilling, this episode will make it make sense and give you a different way to think about what it actually means to live well.If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life.And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode.You can find the link here: Substack articleSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

How long could you go without leaving your house? A day? A few days? Longer?In this episode, we’re digging into what modern life has quietly removed from our daily experience. Not just movement, but connection, presence and the need to physically engage with the world around us.This is a conversation about how a life built around convenience, screens and efficiency is reshaping how we feel, how we live and how the next generation is developing.We’ll look at what current research is showing about sedentary living and screen time. Not just in adults who feel stiff, tired, and disconnected…but in children who are growing up in an environment where screens replace interaction and presence is optional.It’s about the fact that we’ve built a life that no longer requires us to use our bodies or to fully participate in our own lives.And now we have to ask:If this is what life looks like…is this actually living well?If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life.And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode.You can find the link here: Substack articleSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Most people don’t ignore their health on purpose, they’re just busy living on autopilot. Eating in the car. Multitasking through meals. Pushing through exhaustion. And when something finally feels off, we go looking for a quick fix. But what if the real issue isn’t a lack of solutions…it’s that we’ve stopped paying attention to our own bodies?In this episode, we’re breaking down how modern healthcare while life-saving may have unintentionally shifted us into passive roles, where we expect someone else to manage our health. Because the truth is, most modern diseases don’t happen overnight. They’re built slowly through daily habits.This episode explores: how medicine changed the way we think about health  why so many people feel disconnected from their bodies  the concept of health locus of control  and what it actually means to take ownership of your health again There’s no next-day delivery for your health, but there is a way to start paying attention and it begins with how you live today.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Every generation inherits a definition of what it means to live well, but how often do we stop and question it?In this episode, we explore how society’s idea of the “good life” quietly shifted over the last century from slower, more physical daily living to a culture built around speed, convenience, and productivity.The question isn’t whether modern life is good or bad, it's whether the definition of living well we inherited still makes sense.This episode is an invitation to pause, notice the pace of modern life, and ask a simple but important question: Are we living well… or just living fast?If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life.And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode.You can find the link here: Substack articleSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

In modern life, most of us are doing everything we were taught to do: working hard, staying productive, building stability and keeping up with the responsibilities of daily life. Yet many people quietly feel like something is missing. Life can feel busy, efficient, and full… but not necessarily fulfilling.In this first episode of a six-part series on living well, we explore a timeless question that philosophers, psychologists, and everyday people have wrestled with for centuries: What does it really mean to live a good life?Using a quote often attributed to the Dalai Lama as a starting point, this episode looks at how modern culture may have quietly reshaped our definition of the “good life.” We’ll talk about the difference between productivity and meaning, why modern life can feel strangely disconnected from well-being, and how to begin reflecting on what living well might actually look like in your own life.If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why modern life feels so busy but not always satisfying, this conversation will invite you to pause and reconsider the question at the center of it all: What does it mean to live well?If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life.And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode.You can find the link here: Substack articleSend us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

If your gut has been unpredictable lately, bloating, constipation, random reactions and you’ve already cleaned up your diet, this episode might explain why.A lot of gut advice focuses on food: probiotics, elimination diets, cutting gluten, adding fiber. But there’s another variable that often gets ignored...Chronic stress.When the nervous system stays in a constant state of alert, digestion adapts to that environment. Blood flow shifts, motility changes, and the microbial balance in the gut can shift as well. Even sleep loss alone has been shown to alter gut microbiota and metabolic function.In this episode, we look at what research shows about the relationship between chronic stress, poor sleep, and gut health. We’ll also talk about an important point many people miss: the gut is highly adaptable. The lining regenerates quickly and the microbiome can shift with changes in lifestyle and nervous system regulation.If you’ve been doing “all the right things” for your gut but still feel off, this conversation may help you zoom out and see the bigger picture.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Ever been hangry?You’re snapping at everyone, irritated for no clear reason… and then you realize you haven’t eaten all day. Nothing changed except one thing: you were hungry.Stress works the same way.In this episode, we talk about why most people only notice stress at the breaking point and how to catch it earlier. I break down the concept of interoception (your ability to sense internal signals), why stress always shows up physically, and how a simple 60-second body scan can help you recognize your personal stress pattern before it spirals.We’ll also talk about early intervention, nervous system awareness and how herbs like passionflower can support regulation without numbing you out.If you’ve ever said, “I didn’t realize I was that stressed,” this episode will change how you listen to your body.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

At some point, “I’m just tired” turns into “I don’t feel like going out.” And if you’ve been saying no more than yes lately, it’s worth asking why.In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between loneliness and self-isolation and why that distinction matters for your mental health, your stress levels, and your long-term well-being.We’ll talk about:How chronic stress quietly pushes you toward social withdrawalWhen it’s time to outgrow a friend groupWhat research says about isolation and physical healthAnd how to recognize when someone you care about is slipping awayThis isn’t about forcing yourself to be social, it’s about noticing patterns.Are you protecting your peace? Or are you avoiding connection?And if you’re not the one isolating, this might be your moment to reach out.Connection doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic, but it does require intention.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

If you’ve been spending more time indoors lately because of the weather, work, or life, this episode matters.Most people assume their home air is “clean enough,” but indoor air quality is often worse than we realize. Between synthetic fragrances, cleaning products, furniture, poor ventilation, and sealed-up winter homes, what you’re breathing can quietly affect your sleep, focus, energy, and stress response.In this episode, we talk about why indoor air quality matters, how it shows up in real life (without dramatic symptoms), and simple, realistic shifts you can make without turning your house upside down. We’ll also cover a few low-maintenance plants that support cleaner air and a calmer environment.This isn’t about perfection or panic. It’s about making your indoor space work with your body, not against it.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Stress doesn’t just make you moody, it directly impacts your immune system. Most people don’t get sick when life is calm, they get sick when they’re already under pressure.In this episode, we’re talking about how chronic stress impacts your immune system in real life. Why stress changes immune signaling, why piling on “immune support” often makes things worse, and what actually helps when your system is already carrying too much.We’ll walk through practical ways to reduce immune load during stressful seasons, support nervous system regulation, steady blood sugar, protect sleep timing, and use herbs like hawthorn and elderberry with intention instead of overreaction.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

In a world that feels louder, harsher and more divided than ever, kindness can feel rare and even suspicious. In this episode, I break down how acts of kindness directly impact stress levels, mental health and nervous system regulation. We’ll talk about the science behind kindness, why small moments matter more than big gestures and how both giving and receiving kindness can create real physiological shifts. This is a grounded, honest conversation about staying human in a stressed-out world, without wearing rose-colored glasses. Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Tunnel vision is  a survival response and when it shows up outside of real danger, it can quietly turn destructive.In this episode, we talk about what happens when the brain narrows its focus under stress, depression, anxiety, or trauma and why losing perspective can make pain feel permanent. We explore why some people get stuck there and what it really takes to interrupt the spiral.If this episode hits close to home, please reach out.If you’re in the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, and available 24/7. If someone came to mind while listening, check on them. That interruption can save a life.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

New Year’s resolutions tend to fall apart by February not because you lack discipline, but because they don’t work with real life.In this episode, I’m sharing a simpler, more sustainable approach: choosing a Word of the Year.A word acts as an anchor and something you can return to when you feel scattered, overwhelmed, or off track. Unlike rigid goals, a word adapts as life unfolds and helps you reset without starting over.I walk you through:Why a single word is easier for the brain to hold onto than multiple goalsHow one clear focus reduces mental overload and decision fatigueWhy forcing goals creates more stress and what happens in the body when we try to control everythingA step-by-step practice for choosing your word (without scrolling the dictionary or copying someone else’s)This isn’t about perfection, pressure, or performing your growth for others. It’s about choosing something meaningful that guides you back to yourself again and again throughout the year.If you’re tired of goals that don’t stick and ready for a grounded reset, this episode is for you.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Every January, we set big goals and by the end of the month, most of them are already abandoned.In this episode, we break down why traditional New Year’s resolutions fail, how event-driven goals (like weight loss for a deadline) quietly sabotage long-term success, and why popular goal-setting frameworks don’t work the way we’ve been told.This isn’t about willpower or discipline. It’s about choosing goals that actually support your life, your nervous system, and your energy, without guilt or burnout.If you’re ready to rethink resolutions and set goals that make sense, this episode is for you.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

The holidays aren’t meant to be a race. In this episode, I talk bout why slowing down matters, how constant busyness overloads your nervous system, why small moments actually stick and how presence (not perfection) is what makes the season meaningful. This is your reminder to put your head where your feet and ass are and take time to actually enjoy the holidays this year. Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Feeling off-center, overwhelmed or disconnected lately?In this episode, I talk about why spending time in nature, even just five or ten minutes can help calm your nervous system and bring you back to yourself. I share a personal story about how nature reshaped my relationship with stress and why it still plays a critical role in regulation today.You’ll learn:Why nature helps reduce stress and anxietyHow simple outdoor time supports nervous system regulationAn easy grounding practice for people who don’t meditateIf life feels like too much right now, this episode is your reminder to step outside and let your body remember it’s safe.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

The holidays have a way of exposing the chaos we’ve been pretending isn’t there. The decorations, the expectations, the closets we avoid opening… it all piles up until the joy gets buried under anxiety.In this episode, we’re talking clutter, traditions, mental load, emotional weight, and why your home is basically a mirror for whatever season you’re in right now.If your house feels overwhelming or the museum of other people's expectations and you’re craving a simpler, more intentional way to exist in your own space… this one’s for you. No guilt. No performative holiday perfection. Just honesty, clarity, and real choices that lighten your life instead of loading it up.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Holiday gifting doesn’t have to feel like a full-contact sport. This week, we’re breaking down the pressure to find the “perfect gift” and swapping it for something way better: simple, meaningful, intentional giving that actually feels good.We’ll talk about why the season ramps up our stress, how we get caught in the cycle of buying out of obligation, and what really matters when you’re choosing gifts for the people you care about. You’ll walk away with a calmer mindset, a clearer plan, and permission to keep things easy this year.If you want a holiday season with less pressure and more joy, this episode is your sign to slow down, breathe, and choose differently. Let’s make gifting feel good again.Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

This week we’re talking about gratitude without the performance, the protocols, or the Instagram-worthy aesthetics. Just real, human appreciation the kind that actually shifts your stress, softens your nervous system, and helps you sleep better at night.I’m breaking down the three nightly questions that changed the way I end my day, why simple gratitude works better than the elaborate stuff, and how to use this practice during a season that’s emotional, overwhelming, or straight-up heavy for a lot of people.If the holidays feel complicated or you’ve been carrying more than you let on—this episode is your reminder that small, honest gratitude can change everything.New episodes every Sunday. Thanks for being here.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

The holidays are here, which means parties, family gatherings, emotional landmines, and a whole lot of people you wouldn’t normally spend five minutes with… let alone an entire evening.In this episode, we get brutally honest about what it really takes to walk into those rooms without slipping back into the old version of yourself. The people-pleaser. The peacekeeper. The one who lets everyone else’s comfort matter more than your own. No more.This year, you’re showing up differently. You’re trusting your gut. You’re reading the room. You’re keeping your own damn peace.We’re talking about intuition, boundaries, emotional self-protection, and why the holidays are so triggering, plus the science behind why your nervous system reacts the way it does.If you’ve ever opened the door to a holiday party, taken one look around, and thought, “Oh shit... here we go again,” this episode is your survival guide.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Feeling wired, tense or too tired to rest? Learn how gentle movement helps you release stress, reset your hormones and finally get the deep rest your body’s been asking for. In this episode, you’ll discover:Why your nervous system craves motion when you’re stressedHow moving your body helps lower cortisol and balance moodThe connection between movement, melatonin, and better sleepHow herbs like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola help you adapt and recoverYou’ll leave knowing how to use movement as medicine, so you can rest deeply, sleep better and feel safe in your body again.Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Have you ever walked out of a doctor’s office more frustrated than when you walked in? No,? Just me??In this week’s episode of Untamed & Unfiltered Wellness, we break down what she wishes she’d told her doctors during years of confusing lab results and dismissed symptoms and how you can avoid the same mistakes.You’ll learn how to prepare for appointments, manage pre-visit stress and speak up with confidence (even when your nervous system wants to shut down). We also share the real reason your memory and communication skills fall apart under stress, plus the exact questions to ask when you don’t feel heard. 🎧 Tune in if you’re tired of being dismissed, want to feel heard, and are ready to partner with your doctor, not just be prescribed by one. Send us Fan MailSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

This episode explains how evening food timing, hydration patterns, alcohol, and sugar intake influence the 2–3 AM cortisol spike and sleep depth. Your sleep starts at dinner, not at bedtime.We’ll talk about:Why the 2–3 AM wakeup is often a blood sugar and cortisol pattern, not anxietyHow alcohol sedates you but blocks deep sleep repairThe sugar → insulin → cortisol loop and how it shows up overnightHow hydration affects heart rate and nervous system downshiftingA simple, supportive dinner plate for steadier sleepPapaya or kiwi as digestive supportA grounded herbal tea ritual to signal “the day is done”No restriction. No perfection. Just nervous system pacing and timing your food so your body feels resourced enough to rest.Your body wants to sleep. We’re just setting the conditions that let it.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Meditation isn’t about silence or sitting perfectly still, it’s about attention, intention and connection. In this episode, I strip down all the wellness hype and talks about what it really is: a daily return to yourself. You’ll learn how ancient traditions used mantra and prayer to anchor the mind, why modern research still backs it and how to create your own ritual without forcing calm. The best herb for meditation? Gotu Kola,  the herb monks used for centuries to sharpen focus and sustain stillness. Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

If your brain won’t shut off at night, this episode’s for you. We’ll talk about why writing things down, yes, with an actual pen, helps your nervous system downshift so your body can finally rest. You’ll learn how stress hormones interfere with sleep, what research says about off-loading thoughts and the five-minute habit that trains your body to relax on cue. Real science, real tools, no BS.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

I’m cutting through the mindset BS today. This isn’t about “thinking positive” or pretending you’ve got it all together. It’s about what really happens when life hits hard, you start feeling dismissed or obsolete and your stress and sleep go off the rails. I’ve lived it. I’m sharing what was really going on behind my meltdown and what finally helped me shift out of survival mode.This episode is for every woman who’s built a career, carried a family and kept everyone else running only to wake up one day wondering, what about me? I talk about the science of what stress is doing to your body, why your energy’s tanked and how to start shifting into an integrative mindset that helps you feel grounded, clear and in control again. If you’re tired of surface-level advice and ready to build a mindset that actually supports you, this one’s for you.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Think a glass of wine or a shot of tequila helps you sleep? Let’s break it down. In this episode, I’m walking you through what happens in your body when you drink at night from the 7 PM versus 9 PM timing, to the differences between wine, beer, and liquor, and why you keep jolting awake at 2 or 3 AM.We’ll dig into the stress–sleep cycle, how alcohol impacts your sleep quality and what you can do tonight to finally get restorative rest. Are you sober curious? Join my Sober October Challenge, 31 days of support designed to boost your energy, steady your sleep and calm your anxiety (without the nightly drinky-drink). Click on the link below to learn more.➡️ Ready to reset? We start October 1, but you can jump in at any time during the month JOIN HEREHave a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Stress and sleep are like a toxic duo, one feeds the other, leaving you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. wondering why your brain won’t shut up. In this episode of Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness, I share how to build resilience so stress doesn’t keep sabotaging your nights.Short-term fixes are great, but what about the long game? You’ll learn about anchor routines, nervous system training, herbal allies, and how to protect your daily capacity so sleep becomes your new normal.This is the final part of my three part Stress + Sleep series. Be sure to checkout Episodes 19 and 20 to learn more about breaking the Stress and Sleep Cycle.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Stress and sleep are like a toxic duo, one feeds the other, leaving you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. wondering why your brain won’t shut up. In this episode of Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness, I share grounded, science-backed strategies to calm your body and actually get the sleep you need when stress is running the show. From nervous system resets to anchor routines and mindset shifts, you’ll leave with practical tools you can start using tonight. No hacks, just real solutions for better sleep.Breaking the stress-sleep cycle isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency. Over time, this builds resilience not just for sleep, but for handling stress in your waking life too.By the end, you’ll have practical steps you can take tonight to get your sleep back on track.This is Part 2 of my three part Stress + Sleep series. In Episode 21, I'll break down what you need to do to protect your sleep for the future and strategies that will actually hold up.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Stress and sleep are like a toxic duo, one feeds the other, leaving you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. wondering why your brain won’t shut up. In this episode of Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness, we’re breaking down the science of the stress-sleep cycle:How your HPA axis flips the switch and pumps out cortisolWhy cortisol blocks melatonin and messes with your circadian rhythmThe role your amygdala and nervous system play in racing thoughts and 3 a.m. wake-upsHow poor sleep makes you more reactive and stressed the next day (it’s a vicious cycle, but not a hopeless one)By the end, you’ll finally get why stress hijacks your nights and what awareness can do to crack the cycle open.This is Part 1 of my three part Stress + Sleep series. In Episode 20, we’ll talk about what you can actually do at night to calm your system and get some rest.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

You’ve heard it all before: cut out sugar, eat kale, meditate more, blah-blah-blah. But what actually works when it comes to lowering inflammation? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real science behind inflammation, what’s going on in your body, what foods help and how stress plays into the whole mess.We’ll talk about the everyday changes that actually move the needle, plus a few herbal and lifestyle strategies you can start using right away. No gimmicks, no fad diets, just clear, practical ways to calm inflammation and reclaim your energy.If you’ve been Googling “how to reduce inflammation naturally,” this episode gives you the answers you’ve been looking for.👉 Tune in and walk away with strategies you can use today.Want more herbal support? Check out our Guide to the Top Herbs for Stress.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Stress isn’t just a feeling, it’s a full-body event that hijacks your nervous system and fuels inflammation. In this episode, I share Gloria’s story, a midlife high achiever who looked fine on the outside but was running on empty inside, to show how stress messes with your HPA axis, weakens your vagus nerve and sets off the silent fire of chronic inflammation.We’ll break down how your brain, gut, and immune system get caught in the crossfire and why that constant ‘I’m just stressed’ isn’t harmless small talk, it’s a warning sign.Tune in to learn:Why stress hormones keep your body stuck in survival modeHow chronic inflammation damages more than just your moodThe role of the vagus nerve in calming your systemWhat stress-driven inflammation really does to your brain and bodyThis is the truth about stress that nobody told you, but you need to hear.Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

Burnout doesn’t start with a breakdown. It starts with the little signs we miss: irritability, cravings, forgetfulness, bad sleep, zoning out mid-conversation. That’s your stress pattern taking the wheel.In this episode, I’m walking you through the four primary nervous system responses, fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, and how they show up in everyday life. We’ll talk about how these patterns get wired into us, and how you can start catching them before they run your life.What we cover:How to identify your personal stress responseWhy we default to the same reaction over and overEarly signs you’re headed toward burnoutSmall, doable ways to regulate in real timeIf you’ve been powering through, telling yourself you’ll slow down “after this week,” this episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down the sneaky signs of burnout (especially the high-functioning kind), why strong, capable people are often the first to ignore them, and how to start protecting your energy before your body forces you to stop. No guilt. No “just meditate more” nonsense. Just practical, real-life strategies you can start today. 📖 Want the full written version of this episode? Read it on my Substack here:https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com 🔗 Grab your free 7-Day Stress Reset Checklist:https://olivia-bell.kit.com/6fcdfd9ee6Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

You lit the candle. You booked the massage. You even tried that meditation app. And yet… Monday rolls around, and you’re just as stressed as before.Here’s the truth: most “de-stressing” advice treats the symptoms, not the root cause. In this episode, I’m breaking down what stress really is (hint: it’s an energy state), why quick fixes don’t last, and the simple nervous system tools you can use daily, no retreats required.🔗 Grab your free 7-Day Stress Reset Checklist:https://olivia-bell.kit.com/6fcdfd9ee6Send us Fan MailOnce a month, I host a free guided journaling practice for women whose stress, anxiety, and overthinking are getting in the way of better sleep.We meet live on Substack at 9PM Eastern. Our next session is August 5. We spend a few minutes getting all the crap that's running through your head onto paper, then I guide you through a short somatic practice to help you wind down for the night.It's free for Substack subscriberSubscribe to our Substack and get our free companion newsletter Get to the Root, where we go even deeper into today's episode topic. Click HERE to sign up!Website: https://oliviabellco.comI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo

If you’ve been telling yourself “I’m just stressed, everyone is,” this episode is your wake-up call (and permission slip) to stop pretending that makes it okay.We’ve normalized being stressed out like it’s some rite of passage into adulthood. But when does everyday stress cross the line into something that’s quietly wrecking your health?In this episode, we’re breaking down the difference between acute and chronic stress, why it matters, what it’s doing to your body, and how to stop ignoring the signals your nervous system is screaming at you.We’ll walk through:The three types of stress: eustress, acute, and chronicHow stress hijacks your body, even when it’s “just” your inboxWhy “just relax” is the most unhelpful advice everTwo easy days from my 7-Day Stress Reset Checklist to help you feel human again (no sage-burning or cold plunges required)You’ll also get herbal tips, grounding tools, and mindset shifts that don’t require overhauling your life, just reconnecting with your body.🎧 Listen now and learn why your stress is valid and how to start responding to it instead of powering through it.🔗 Grab your free 7-Day Stress Reset Checklist: https://olivia-bell.kit.com/6fcdfd9ee6Plus, head to Substack for more in-depth conversations: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Have a specific topic you want me to cover? Send me a text! Substack blog: https://oliviabellco.substack.comWebsite: https://oliviabell.coI hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws!☮️🌿🐾Jo