You Keep Me Sane
For 10 years, Aileen and Julie have been each other's sounding board from opposite sides of the globe – Aileen in London and Julie in Melbourne.
They have navigated everything – motherhood, relationships, menopause, health, grief, and everything in between – through daily voice messages. These exchanges often became lifelines, and now they share that space with their listeners.
In You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie hold honest conversations on life's challenges, growth, and connection. They lend an ear and share heartfelt insights, creating a space that allows both them, and you, to be human.
Listeners are encouraged to write in with their own experiences and topics, becoming part of the conversation that feels like a chat with close friends.
You Keep Me Sane
Always On: The Hidden Cortisol Cost of a Busy Life
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Episode overview
In this episode, we explore what it really means to live in an always-on world — and how that constant state of availability quietly keeps our stress response switched on.
Cortisol has become a bit of a villain in wellness conversations, but we unpack why it’s not the problem in itself. Cortisol is essential. The issue is that modern life rarely gives our bodies the chance to switch it off.
From 3am wake-ups and belly changes to mental load, boundaries, and self-worth, this is an honest conversation about why so many of us feel exhausted even when we don’t feel “stressed” - and what our bodies might be trying to tell us.
Key discussion point
- The impact of living in an always-on culture: emails, messages, notifications, and mental load
- Why our bodies can’t tell the difference between a real threat and constant pressure
- The link between being busy, always available, and self-worth
- Midlife, menopause, and why our bodies become less tolerant of sustained stress
- Physical signs of chronically high cortisol: disrupted sleep, puffiness, belly fat, anxiety, digestive issues, and fatigue
- Reframing cortisol as an alarm rather than the enemy
Listener takeaways
- You don’t have to feel anxious or overwhelmed for cortisol to be high
- Being busy and constantly “on” is still stress - even if it feels normal
- Your body isn’t weak or broken; it’s responding to chronic pressure
- Boundaries aren’t selfish - they’re self-preservation
- You can’t regulate your way out of a life where your worth feels constantly on the line
- Small changes matter: one pause, one boundary, one moment of choosing enough
Join the conversation
If you recognised yourself in this episode - the constant doing, the exhaustion, the feeling of being “on” all the time - you’re not alone.
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Send us a DM on socials or email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com.
And if you’d like more from us, head over to Patreon for bonus episodes and deeper conversations.
Join Us for More on Patreon!
Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!
Join Us via this link:
https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join
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Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy
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Disclaimer:
Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.