In this riveting episode, Amy sits down with Ramona, a seasoned professional who transitioned from a registered nurse to a forensic psychologist. Ramona shares her wealth of experience from working in medical and psychiatric emergency departments and the California prison system, bringing unique insights into the mind-body connection and the intricacies of the stress response. **Key Topics Discussed:**

1. **Mind-Body Connection:** - Ramona explores how the nervous system and vagus nerve play critical roles in regulating stress and calming the body. - She explains the interconnectedness of the gut, heart, and brain and how the vagus nerve influences the gut microbiome.

2. **Trauma and the Nervous System:** - A deep dive into how the amygdala triggers response mechanisms during perceived life-threatening situations and the chemical reactions involved.

- Ramona discusses trauma's impact on both adults and children, emphasizing the challenges in diagnosing PTSD in children due to their unique perception of threats.

3. **Ancient Wisdom and Modern Therapy:** - The importance of rediscovering ancient wisdom in contemporary therapy practices. - Ramona's current focus on coaching individuals to build self-confidence after experiences with narcissistic relationships.

4. **Practical Strategies for Stress Management:** - Recognizing early signs of being overwhelmed and employing grounding techniques to reorient the mind and engage the prefrontal cortex. - Specific grounding techniques like stamping feet, clapping hands, and cognitive exercises such as multiplication tables. - Intentional deep breathing as a method to activate the prefrontal cortex and vagus nerve, signaling safety to the amygdala.

You can locate Ramona on Igniting U on Facebook. And don't forget to check out my affiliate link for MAKING MONEY WITH FREEBIES.