Join my free online healing program at ⁠https://theholistictraumacoach.com/free⁠
Why can’t you relax even when everything’s fine? Like — you should be enjoying that quiet weekend, but instead you’re restless, anxious, scrolling endlessly, or totally collapsed… and then Monday hits and you feel like you didn’t enjoy a second of it.
In this episode, we unpack why that happens. I’ll walk you through three common scenarios: maybe you grew up in a home where rest was basically punished, or you had a stressed-out parent who couldn’t tolerate stillness, or your nervous system just learned that being on high alert is “normal.”
And honestly — none of that means you’re broken.
We’ll talk about what your nervous system is actually doing, why this experience is way more common than people realize, and most importantly… what to do about it. I’ll share some simple, body-first practices you can try this weekend — starting with tuning into your felt sense and learning how to pendulate gently between activity and rest so your body can re-learn that stillness is safe.
So if you’ve ever wondered “why can’t I relax when I want to?” — this one’s for you.


Discussing things like: why can’t I relax, trauma and relaxation, nervous system healing, felt sense, pendulation, somatic practices


Why the hell is relaxation so damn hard for me? Ep. 9

If you’ve tried every diet, supplement, and gut-health hack under the sun — and your digestion still feels off — this episode is for you.
In this conversation, Jessa unpacks why chronic stress and trauma could be at the root of your digestive struggles, even if no one has ever helped you make that connection before.
You’ll learn:
💛 Why your nervous system literally runs your digestion — and what happens when it’s stuck in survival mode
💛 How chronic tension patterns and restricted breathing physically impact your gut
💛 Why trauma disconnects you from hunger, fullness, and craving cues (and how that shows up in real life)
💛 Why this isn’t a failure of discipline or self-control — it’s a nervous system experience
Plus: Jessa invites you into a grounding pause to help you stay present with your body as you listen.
✨ Feeling seen for the first time?Explore Jessa’s Free Online Healing Program to start gently reconnecting with your body and nervous system at ⁠theholistictraumacoach.com/free⁠.

Why does my stomach hurt all the time? | Ep 10

Visit https://www.theholistictraumacoach.com/free to join the free online healing program 🥰
If you’ve ever found yourself crying over a lukewarm sandwich or spiraling after one minor inconvenience, this episode is for you.
Today, we’re unpacking why things that seem small can feel so massive — and why it has nothing to do with you being “too sensitive,” “lazy,” or “bad at handling stress.”
We’re talking nervous system states, survival mode, the myth of “normal” stress, and what actually needs to happen for your body to feel safe enough to respond with presence — not panic. Spoiler alert: it’s not about getting tougher. It’s about tending to your baseline.
I’ll walk you through:
what your nervous system is really doing when it “overreacts”
why overwhelm might be the most appropriate reaction to your current conditions
and how to stop gaslighting yourself for the very real signals your body is sending

This one’s tender. Honest. And very needed.
Let’s talk about it.
✨ Plus: I’ll share a free grounding practice mid-episode to help your system settle as you listen.


Why do I get overwhelmed by normal stress?

If you’ve been stuck in numbness — not sad, not angry, not even happy — just… nothing… this episode is going to hit home.
We’re unpacking why emotional disconnection is so common for trauma survivors, how your nervous system learned to shut down, and what to do when “just feel your feelings” advice makes you want to scream.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The real, biological reason you feel flat or emotionally distant
Why feeling nothing isn’t a failure — it’s protection
3 practical, somatic steps to gently reconnect with your emotions
What safety actually feels like (and how to find it again)

This isn’t about forcing tears or pushing yourself to process everything at once. It’s about learning to listen to your body — quietly, safely, in the smallest moments.
💛 Ready to start healing? Download my free trauma-informed somatic program at ⁠theholistictraumacoach.com/free


Why is it so hard for me to feel...anything?

I help people with painful childhoods reclaim the beauty of living.

Why does my stomach hurt all the time? | Ep 10

Jessa Hooley | The Holistic Trauma Coach™

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