Mental Inflammation in Midlife: Brain Fog, Cortisol, and Your Hidden Stress Patterns with Dr. Shivani Gupta
35 min
Have you been running on stress for so long that it feels normal? You manage work, family, schedules, appointments, and everyone else's needs. By the afternoon, you're exhausted, mentally foggy, or one small frustration away from snapping. And you wonder, "Why don't I feel like myself anymore?" In Part 1 of this two-part series on mental inflammation, Dr. Shivani Gupta, PhD in Ayurvedic sciences and author of The Inflammation Code (Hay House), explores how chronic stress can influence inflammation, immune function, mood, and mental clarity. Drawing from her own experience of an intense book launch, Dr. Shivani shares how stepping away from constant work and spending time reading helped her recognize just how much stress she'd been carrying. She connects modern research on cortisol and the immune system with Ayurveda's understanding of the mind-body connection, showing why recognizing your personal stress response can be an important first step toward feeling more grounded. WHAT THIS CONVERSATION REVEALS Why cortisol isn't inherently bad and how chronic stress can change the way immune cells respond to itWhat the Carnegie Mellon cold-virus study revealed about prolonged stress and immune regulationHow stress and inflammation can reinforce each other, influencing energy, mood, and motivationWhy the invisible mental load can leave women feeling exhausted even when everything appears fineHow shifting estrogen levels in midlife may influence stress sensitivityWhat Ayurveda teaches about ojas, agni, and prana in relation to resilience, digestion, and mental well-beingHow to recognize your Vata, Pitta, or Kapha stress patternWhy naming what you're feeling may help reduce emotional reactivitySimple ways to protect your daily routines during the holiday season YOUR STRESS PATTERN: SPEED UP, HEAT UP, OR SHUT DOWN? Vata: Your thoughts race, and you feel anxious or scattered. Pitta: You become irritable, perfectionistic, and push yourself harder. Kapha: You withdraw, fe...