How To Give Your Nervous System A Real Break

Take A Breath

June 23, 2026 ∙ 27 mins
Episode 44

About

I’ve just returned from Self Love Camp, a retreat where I spent a few days guiding breathwork, listening to inspiring speakers, learning new things, and stepping away from the routines of everyday life.

As I drove home, I found myself reflecting on something I always notice after retreats and intentional breaks: I come back feeling different. Clearer. More creative. More connected to myself. And it got me wondering - what is it about stepping away that feels so powerful?

In this episode of Take a Breath, I explore how to give your nervous system a real breath and what I believe is one of the missing ingredients in modern life: space. Space to think, feel, reflect and hear yourself again. Drawing on neuroscience, nervous system science, and my own experiences of attending and hosting retreats, I share why creating intentional space isn't a luxury - it's something our brains and bodies genuinely need.

In this episode, I share:

💛 Why so many of us are living without enough space and how that affects our wellbeing

💛 The science behind why nature helps us feel calmer, clearer and less overwhelmed

💛 How new experiences and environments can spark fresh thinking and creativity

💛 Why connection and community are so powerful for the nervous system

💛 Why retreats aren't really about escaping life - they're about reconnecting with yourself

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or stuck in the busyness of everyday life, this episode is your invitation to step out of the noise and create a little more space. 💛

To find out more about my retreat in Austria go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/Austria

Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time.

Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now.

Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible.

To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to:  https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace

Email me at:  info@pollywarren.com
https://www.pollywarren.com/
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Information

Podcast

Take A Breath

Episode

44

Date

June 23, 2026

Length

27 mins
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    Train Your Brain To Thrive Through Menopause

    In this episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. Sue Varma, a board certified psychiatrist, distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and author of Practical Optimism. They open by taking on a question that sits at the intersection of psychiatry and menopause medicine: why do some women thrive through the […]

  • Ep 533: A Simple Technique to Handle Food Urges Differently in Menopause

    You don’t need more willpower. You need a different relationship with your urges. In this episode, I talk about one simple technique that can help women in menopause handle food cravings differently. Inspired by conversations around GLP-1 medications, I explain what these medications appear to do for food noise and how you can begin creating […]

  • 335 💛 How Hard Can It Be: Friendship, Reinvention & Real Talk with Diana Maria Riva of Netflix’s Dead to Me

    What happens when a Hollywood actress realizes her glam-squad friends and her hometown Ohio friends are all wrestling with the exact same midlife stuff? In this episode of The Midlife Makeover Show, Wendy Valentine sits down with Diana Maria Riva — beloved as Detective Ana Perez on Netflix’s Dead to Me and now host of […]

  • How To Give Your Nervous System A Real Break

    I’ve just returned from Self Love Camp, a retreat where I spent a few days guiding breathwork, listening to inspiring speakers, learning new things, and stepping away from the routines of everyday life. As I drove home, I found myself reflecting on something I always notice after retreats and intentional breaks: I come back feeling […]

  • 77 – Hormones after cancer: why women deserve a choice

    For many women diagnosed with cancer, conversations about hormones end before they’ve even begun. They’re often told they can never take hormone treatment again, without being given the evidence, the options or the opportunity to make an informed choice. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by women’shealth nurse and educator Jill Chmielewski to […]

  • How to Reverse Diet to Break a Weight Loss Plateau in Menopause

    In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to implement a reverse diet, including how to calculate your maintenance calories, when to increase calories gradually versus jumping straight to maintenance, and what to expect during the process. Last week, we talked about why chronic dieting and years of eating too little can leave you […]

  • Moments: Father's Day Special

    This week’s Begin Again Moments, we’re celebrating the fathers and the impact they’ve had on their kids. For the full episodes search wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • 221: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: Your Dog Brought a Killer Into Your House; Skipping Your Meds could Kill You

    (00:00:00) 221: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: Your Dog Brought a Killer Into Your House; Skipping Your Meds could Kill You (00:00:11) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:34) Hypertension and Medication Compliance (00:03:52) The Importance of Taking Medications as Prescribed (00:07:40) Ticks and Tick Prevention (00:11:34) Closing Remarks […]

  • The Tamsen Show podcast image

    The Closet Clean Out Guide: Declutter Your Life and Get Your Confidence Back

    Have you ever stood in front of a full closet, said “I have nothing to wear,” and reached for the same safe outfit one more time? You are not alone, and it is not really about the clothes. Tamsen’s viral closet clean out started as a simple declutter and spiraled into one of the most […]

  • Try it For 1 Week: Small Ways to Make Your Life Fun & Exciting Again

    Summer is all about having fun: long days, warm nights, and getting together with the people you love. Today’s episode is your playbook for making that time you spend with people more exciting and meaningful.  Mel is joined by Priya Parker, one of the world’s leading experts on human connection. Her book “The Art of […]

  • Are you a witch? Believe in your magic and the power of ritual, with Poppy Jamie

    Did you listen when your gut told you to turn down that job… and did you seize a better opportunity after? What about when you were tired but something told you to go to the party anyway? Did you meet your partner there? Entrepreneur and author Poppy Jamie says there’s no such thing as a […]

  • How to fade age spots and pigmentation

    If years of sun exposure have left you with age spots, freckles and uneven pigmentation, you’re certainly not alone. Liz explores the best ways to manage sun damage, sharing the skincare ingredients and treatments that can genuinely help – without the need to splash out on expensive creams. Plus: The impact of hair dye on […]

  • The Solution to UTIs in Menopause: Topical Oestrogen – Dr Naomi Potter

    Could your recurrent UTIs actually be a menopause problem? 🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih In this week’s solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter explains the surprising and often overlooked link between diminishing oestrogen and recurrent urinary tract infections – and why antibiotics alone are never going to […]

  • "Why I Stopped Weighing Myself For Good": Anne Poirier on Body Neutrality

    🌿 The Hot Truth About Hormone Therapy digital guide is here.An unbiased, birds-eye view of what’s happening that will help you cut through the confusion and have a real, informed conversation with your doctor about HRT. Get it now: go.hotflashinc.com/hottruth Anne Poirier is a nationally recognized body image expert, certified intuitive eating counselor, and author […]

  • 218.2: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: CPR and Cats Coughing up LungWorms (remix)

    (00:00:00) 218.2: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: CPR and Cats Coughing up LungWorms (remix) (00:00:11) Welcome to The Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:04:55) The Importance of CPR Training (00:07:05) Closing Remarks and Next Episode (00:07:07) Doc Itchy Pet Supplements Your Cat Isn’t Allergic — She Has WORMS in Her Lungs.Also, Do You Know CPR? Because You […]

  • How to Become the Most Confident Version of Yourself & Step Into Your Power

    Today, you’re going to hear one of the most emotional and inspiring episodes that has ever been on The Mel Robbins Podcast.  When the world feels overwhelming…  When you’re discouraged…  When you feel beaten up by life…  When you’re tired of carrying the past around…  This is the episode to press play on.  In this […]

  • 208 | The Secret to Weight Loss Has Nothing to Do With Willpower with Lizzie Merritt

    Have you ever wondered why you know exactly what to do to lose weight… but still struggle to follow through? If you’re a woman over 40 trying to lose weight while navigating stress, hormone changes, and the challenges of midlife, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. In this episode of The […]

  • Muscle and Strength Loss Prevention After 50: A Checklist

    This episode is sponsored by Bluesky CBD and Flipping 50 Menopause Fitness Specialist. Bluesky CBD: Get to sleep faster, experience more restorative sleep and save 30% with code FLIPPING50 at https://www.bluesky-cbd.com/discount/Flipping50. Flipping 50 Menopause Fitness Specialist.- Become a health & fitness coach who finally speaks midlife women’s language. Learn how to design workouts that balance […]

  • A Love Letter to Caregivers: The Paper Bag Plan with Filmmaker Anthony Lucero

    On this special bonus episode, we sit down with filmmaker Anthony Lucero, writer and director of Paper Bag Plan, a moving film that shines a light on the realities of family caregiving, disability advocacy, and long term planning for individuals with special needs. Drawing from his own deeply personal experiences, Anthony shares how caring for […]

  • Ep #197: Perimenopause, Sleep & the EMF Link with Todd Shipman

    I wore the Leela Quantum necklace for months before recording this episode because I wanted to experience it day to day before sharing it with you. I took it to California and had a really interesting experience with my daughter that I'll tell you about in this interview with Todd Shipman, a wellness entrepreneur who […]

  • SEASON 4, EPISODE 3 – PERIMENOPAUSE: PERILS AND PREVENTION

    Dr. Mueller is back and here to tell us all about Perimenopause – what your mom never told you and more!  What it is, what is happening in your body, and what are some of the best practices for handling this volatile time!  Support the show https://www.instagram.com/slihpodcast/

  • 5 health checks every midlife woman should ask for – with Dr Florence Comite

    The future of medicine isn’t treating disease – it’s predicting and preventing it. Dr Florence Comite joins Liz to talk about the five tests she recommends for tracking important health markers, and how they can reveal future risks for conditions such as diabetes and dementia years before symptoms appear. In this episode, Liz and Florence […]

Take A Breath

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. This is your space to pause.  Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.  […]

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