Have you ever had one of those days where you just don’t feel like yourself? Something feels off, but you can’t quite put your finger on why. Maybe your stomach is unsettled, your sleep is restless, or an unshakable sense of anxiety lingers in the background.
That was me this past week.
How Hidden Fears Trigger Stress Response
At first, I couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong. But as a longtime therapist, I knew that when my body speaks, I need to listen. When I took a step back and allowed myself to go deeper, I uncovered a fear that had been quietly running the show: “The people I love will be hurt, die, or leave—so what’s the point?”
Without realizing it, my subconscious had activated my emergency signals. My body believed this fear was happening right now, even though there was no immediate threat. And that stress? It was wreaking havoc on my nervous system, making me feel sick and unsettled.
The moment I recognized what was happening, I turned to the Inner Counselor Focus Process. Almost immediately, I felt a shift. My symptoms faded. My body relaxed. My mind became clearer. And I could finally separate what was real from what my fear was projecting.
Had I not done this, I might have gone looking for external fixes—checking my hormones, searching for sleep aids, or worrying that something was physically wrong with me. But the truth is, our emotions, our fears, and our subconscious patterns play a powerful role in our overall well-being. When we ignore them, they don’t go away—they just show up in different ways.
Your Body is Talking – Are You Listening?
We all experience stress, discomfort, or emotional triggers, especially during uncertain times. The key isn’t in avoiding these feelings but in understanding and transforming them.
Instead of brushing them aside, ask yourself: What is this discomfort trying to tell me? What deeper emotions am I not addressing?
I know facing these feelings isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it feels safer to suppress them. But avoiding them only strengthens their grip. When we allow ourselves to truly listen, we create the space for healing to happen.
What to Do When Stress and Fear Take Over
The next time you feel overwhelmed, here’s what I want you to try. First, sit with the feeling rather than running from it. This might sound counterintuitive, but leaning in is what allows it to pass. If something feels off, pause. Breathe. Notice where the discomfort is sitting in your body. Instead of pushing it away, ask it what it needs.
Then, let go of the pressure to “fix” yourself instantly. Healing doesn’t happen under stress. If you’re being hard on yourself, take a moment to shift toward self-compassion. Speak to yourself the way you would to a dear friend who is struggling.
And finally, use the Inner Counselor Focus Process to transform your fear into insight. This process helps you identify old patterns, access your Inner Wisdom, and rewire your emotional responses so they no longer hold you hostage.
Your Healing is Already Within You
If you are experiencing some discomfort or stress rearing its head, here are some things that truly work…
1) Look the deeper feeling directly in the face. Don’t shy away. When you Identify the deeper feelings and take time to honor them (…feel them, journal them, ask them what they need…kind of thing) you WILL move through them. There is an end to them, I promise. If you feel stuck and cannot do this on your own (bc sometimes we cannot), get support. It works.
2) Decrease the pressure you may be putting on yourself or others. None of us heal or shift a pattern under too much pressure. Move towards self-compassion and love.
3) Transform and transcend into a new feeling state and pattern using the Inner Counselor Focus Process. This will allow you to understand the old pattern and co-create a better, more updated YOU with your Higher nature. It works!
Don’t get stuck or pitch a tent over things you CAN NOT control. Your best self is needed right now so give yourself some time and attention to feel and heal. Much love and gratitude for the amazing YOU that you are.
The more you work with yourself like this, the more you begin to trust in your innate ability to heal. The “medicine” is all there for the mind-body and Spirit to work together. Give it a try. You will be so glad you did.
Sending you my love and support,
Dr. Shannon
Discover how integrating the mind-body-spirit connection and the Inner Counselor Process™ can transform your work and the lives of your clients. Watch Free Training Session: Three Ways to Access Your Inner Counselor Superpowers!
