All Posts

A lifespan-focused wellbeing perspective informed by Dr Sarah McKay’s Neuroscience of the Women’s Brain Before diving into the science, I want to share something personal. From childhood onward, singing has shaped my wellbeing in ways I didn’t fully understand until much later. As a young girl with asthma , I noticed something remarkable: whenever I sang—especially in my school and chamber choir — my breathing eased. The tightness in my chest softened, and the rhythm of singi

A trauma-informed perspective inspired by Dr. Gabor Maté When conflict erupts between parents and teenagers, it often feels sudden — a calm chat turns into shouting, or silence stretches for days. Dr Gabor Maté  (2021) describes this dynamic through the metaphor of the emotional gun .  The metaphor of the emotional gun which releases the underlying emotional pain when triggered A gun only fires if it’s loaded. The trigger  itself isn’t dangerous — it releases what’s already

Keywords:  teen communication, ADHD, teenage brain, parenting teens, adolescent development If you’ve ever tried to talk to a teenage boy and felt like you’re speaking a different language — you’re not wrong. His brain is literally rewiring itself . Between surging hormones, emotional intensity, and unfinished brain development, communication can be… well, complicated. But when you understand what’s happening inside a teenage brain, especially for boys (and particularly those

Modern life tugs at our nervous systems in every direction— emails, deadlines, constant notifications. Over time, this strain can shrink our window of tolerance —the space where we can think clearly, feel emotions without being swept away, and respond rather than react. The good news? You can train your nervous system  to recover faster from stress and stay calmer under pressure. One of the best ways is through vagus nerve toning . Your Vagus Nerve: The Body’s Inner Calm Swit

Picture this: you’re at a crowded concert. Music is blaring, people are laughing and singing—yet somehow, you can tune in to just one voice in front of you. How can we still hear what our friends are saying in a noisy environment? How does your brain pull off this magic trick? That’s where the Selective Gates Theory  comes in. What Is the Selective Gates Theory? The Selective Gates Theory explains how your nervous system filters  incoming information at the synapse —the t

In the fast-evolving field of neuroscience and mental wellbeing, Dr. Sarah McKay —a respected neuroscientist and science communicator—offers a refreshingly practical and holistic framework for understanding how we can influence our own nervous system health  and emotional regulation. She calls it the Bottom-Up, Top-Down, and Outside-In  model. Dr Sarah McKays framework of the brain: Bottom-UP, Top-Down, Outside-In This model bridges the gap between science and lived experienc

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,”   “I’ll never get this right,”  or “I have to please everyone or they’ll leave” —before realising those thoughts were just running on autopilot? These mental patterns don’t come out of nowhere. They’re shaped by past experiences, wired into your nervous system, and reinforced over time. But here’s the good news: they are not permanent . The encouraging truth? These patterns are not fixed. Thanks to neuroplasticity

social media vs in person connection We live in the most connected time in human history—yet more people report feeling lonely, anxious, and emotionally disconnected than ever before. The difference? Not all connection is created equal . Here’s a look at what happens inside your brain and body when you connect in person versus through a screen—and why face-to-face connection is still essential for your nervous system, relationships, and overall wellbeing. In-Person Connectio

What Is the Vagus Nerve? The Vagus Nerve The vagus nerve  (cranial nerve X) is one of the most powerful communication pathways between your brain and body. Emerging from the medulla oblongata  in the brainstem, it travels down through the neck, chest, and abdomen , connecting the brain with vital organs including the heart, lungs, and digestive system . This long, wandering nerve (its name comes from the Latin vagus , meaning “wandering”) acts as the body’s neural superhighwa