We’re about to explore something that may surprise you—your brain’s survival instincts are still influencing how you approach self-care, and they might be working against you. Have you ever wondered why saying "no" feels impossible or why you can't seem to prioritize yourself no matter how hard you try? What if the answer lies in how our brains are wired for survival, and how that wiring affects everything from guilt to stress?

In this episode, we’re going to unpack how your evolutionary wiring could be sabotaging your best self-care efforts. But here’s the good news—once you understand this, you’ll have the power to work with your brain, not against it. We’re sharing insights on why it’s so hard to break the cycle, along with practical strategies you can start using today to make more room for yourself. So, stick around—by the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new perspective on your survival and your self-care.  

Episode Highlights:

• 4 ways evolutionary wiring impacts self-care:
  • Conservation of energy
  • Acceptance of the tribe and the role of guilt 
  • Scarcity of resources
  • Living for today
• Self-Care Experiments:  
  • Recognize your signs of ‘survival mode’
  • Respond kindly to guilt
  • Create a ‘Not to do’ list

Resources Mentioned:

• Healthy Habits Suck: How to Get Off the Couch and Live a Healthy Life...Even if You Don't Want To by Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley 
• Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection by Dr. Yael Schonbrun
• Our past podcast interview with Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley
• Our past podcast interview with Dr. Yael Schonbrun
• Visit our website to get your own copy of our FREE 4 C's Self-Care Assessment:  https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca

Registration is now open for Thrivival Skills for Therapists, with your choice of formats! More info at the links below and special early bird savings until September 22, 2025:

Option 1: Fall 2025 Cohort *Save $100 with code: PYIYS100

Option 2: Independent Study *Save $50 with code: PYIYS50

Connect with Melissa & Karen at Intentional Therapist:
intentional@intentionaltherapist.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelissatiessen/

Share one of your own self-care experiments via our SpeakPipe page at: https://www.speakpipe.com/intentionaltherapist

Disclaimer: This podcast seeks to be educational in purpose and is not to be used as clinical advice. Please connect with a therapist one-on-one for personalized support.