All Posts

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is one of the most influential and illuminating books I have ever read on trauma, healing, and the mind–body connection. What makes it so powerful is not just the science it presents, but the way it fundamentally changes how we understand human suffering. Rather than framing trauma as something that exists only in memory or thought, the book reveals how deeply it is held in the body: in the nervous system, physiology, and automa

Your brain is working every second of your life, long before you think, decide, or react. Understanding how it’s organised reveals why the mind behaves the way it does, and how awareness, stress, and balance shape daily experience. A diagram showing parts of the human brain. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 23 January 2026 The human brain is one of the most complex and remarkable systems in existence. It governs everything we experience, from thought, memory, and emotion to mo

Ikigai is often described as the Japanese philosophy for a meaningful life, yet its true power lies in how quietly it works. Rather than pushing you to define your purpose or optimise your life, Ikigai speaks to the deeper question of what makes life feel worth living, day after day. Rooted in Japanese culture and everyday living, Ikigai offers a grounded alternative to burnout, restlessness, and constant striving. This article explores the real meaning of Ikigai, how it diff

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has shaped how many of us think about motivation and personal growth. But the familiar pyramid tells only part of the story. This article looks at the hierarchy as a living framework, and explores what happens when personal development gives way to something larger. A pyramid showing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 7 January 2026 Most people have seen the hierarchy of needs as a pyramid: food and shelter at the bottom, s

Mindfulness is widely practiced today for stress relief, mental clarity, and emotional balance, but its deeper meaning is often misunderstood. Long before mindfulness became a modern wellness technique, it was developed within Buddhism as part of a structured path to understand the mind and reduce suffering. Exploring the Buddhist roots of mindfulness helps clarify what the practice was originally meant to cultivate, and why its impact goes far beyond relaxation or productivi

Many people give up on meditation because it feels difficult or uncomfortable. This article explores what meditation actually is, why it often feels hard at first, and how that discomfort is part of the practice. A calm setting to practice meditation. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 29 December 2025 Meditation is often described as a way to quiet the mind, reduce stress, or feel calm. Yet for many people, the actual experience feels very different. They sit down and their tho

Meditation isn’t one single practice. There are many different types of meditation, each supporting the mind, body, and nervous system in different ways. From breath awareness and body scan meditation to walking meditation, mantra, and guided practices, understanding your options can help you find a meditation style that actually works for you. Meditating alone while watching the sunset. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 29 December 2025 When people say they “can’t meditate”, w

Modern life is driving chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and burnout through overstimulation, screen addiction, caffeine dependence, and constant fight-or-flight. Here’s why it’s happening and how to restore balance. Screen addiction plays a key role in feeling overstimulated. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 23 December 2025 Most of us realise how overstimulated we are. We just know we’re tired. Restless. Anxious for no obvious reason. Reaching for coffee the mome

More people than ever are discovering that trauma isn’t just emotional, but gets stored in the body. Here’s how to recognise the subtle physical signs your nervous system is carrying more than you think. How trauma stored in the body affects you mentally and physically. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 15 December 2025 We often talk about trauma as something that lives in memories or emotions, like a psychological story we carry. But the body has its own memory, and sometimes

Emotional flooding is not a personality flaw. It’s a nervous-system event. Once you understand the science behind it, stopping it becomes far more possible. A woman sitting at a desk experiencing emotional overwhelm. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 2 December 2025 What Is Emotional Flooding? - The Psychology Behind Overwhelm Emotional flooding happens when the brain’s alarm system, the amygdala, becomes so activated that it overwhelms the logical, regulating part of the brain

Learn how to reset the vagus nerve using simple, science-backed techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help your body shift out of stress. A group of four people swimming in a pool, relaxed and happy. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 1 December 2025 The vagus nerve has quietly become one of the most fascinating topics in modern wellness, neuroscience, and somatic therapy. It influences everything from stress recovery to digestion to emotional resilienc

Mindfulness doesn’t just change how you think. It changes how your nervous system responds to stress. Here’s how meditation shifts your body from “fight-or-flight” into genuine physiological calm. Three people sitting outdoors practising mindfulness and meditation. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 27 November 2025 Understanding the Stress Response: The Body’s Alarm System Stress begins long before we are aware of it. A sound, a thought, a memory, an email notification; and the

Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. Discover how mindfulness and simple meditation techniques can quiet racing thoughts, ease stress and tension, and create real inner calm, even on your busiest, most overwhelming days. Woman meditating calmly on a desk while work-related icons float around her, symbolising mindfulness and stress management in a busy work environment. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 26 November 2025 Anxiety is everywhere. A fast-paced world, constant n

Attending a wellness retreat for the first time? This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from what to pack to how to ground your mind and body before you arrive — so you can enjoy a smooth, meaningful and deeply restorative retreat experience. A group of people at a retreat sitting outside in a beautiful setting next to a lake, attending a sound healing session Written by Coralie Bengoechea  | 19 November 2025 Taking time away from everyday

Discover five simple mindfulness micro-practices you can weave into your day to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and reconnect with presence. The light within the mind: Discovering calm, focus, and purpose through daily mindfulness. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 26 October 2025 In a world that moves faster than ever, presence has become the new luxury. But returning to presence doesn’t always require long meditations or silent retreats: It begins in small, intentional moments.

In a world flooded with diet trends, calorie counting, and one-size-fits-all advice, Ayurvedic nutrition invites us to return to something much simpler: balance, intuition, and deep connection to nature. Ayurveda, the ancient healing science of India, views food not just as fuel but as medicine: a sacred form of energy that can heal, balance, or disturb us depending on how, when, and what we eat. It's not about restriction — it's about alignment. What Makes Ayurvedic Nutritio

In today’s high-speed, high-stress world, it’s easy to feel energetically drained, even when everything “seems fine.” Maybe you’re experiencing fatigue, emotional ups and downs, or a lingering heaviness that just won’t budge. This is where Pranic Healing steps in: a gentle yet powerful energy modality that works not just on the body, but on the energy field surrounding it. What Is Pranic Healing? Pranic Healing is a no-touch, energy-based healing technique that uses “prana”,