This Is How We Heal with Anthia Koullouros

Menarche, menstruation, perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause are significant stages in a woman's life. They can bring profound physical and emotional changes, and for some women, symptoms that genuinely affect their health and quality of life. But when did these natural physiological transitions themselves become something to diagnose, fear or fix? In this episode of This Is How We Heal, we...

Modern hospitals are marvels of medical advancement, but within the clinical hustle and bustle, the human experience can sometimes feel secondary. So what can we do to bridge the gap between places of medicine and spaces that promote healing? In this discussion, we explore: The importance of the treatment environment in patient healing. How historical healing practices can inform modern healthcare...

Picture this…You're recovering from an illness or managing chronic symptoms, yet you find yourself constantly worried about whether you're doing enough for others. That's enmeshment, and it can have a real impact on the healing journey. Instead of taking the time and space to heal, it leaves you torn between your own health needs and fulfilling commitments to family or friends. In this episode, we...

Why is it that some people heal effortlessly, but for other people it's a greater struggle? When it comes to healing, there is no predetermined timeframe. In this second part of a two-part podcast, we delve into the complexities of health and healing, looking at: Why healing is a spiral, rather than a straight line How our relationship with time plays a crucial role in the healing process. What co...

There's a phenomenon I often see in my clinic, and it involves a sense of expectation when it comes to healing. There's a pressure that comes with a diagnosis. Now that we know the cause, we want a rapid recovery. But healing isn't necessarily linear. And as frustrating as it might be, sometimes we have to surrender ourselves to a journey that may not necessarily have a definitive finish line. In...

When someone receives a diagnosis, it's natural they have questions. "How long will this take?" "Why is this happening to me?" "Will I fully recover?"   Each of these queries is a natural response to something that can feel beyond our control. But the funny thing about healing is sometimes we just don't know. Sometimes we need to sit in the uncertainty, in the knowledge that there are both mysteri...

For years in my practice, I've observed a troubling pattern: the loss of beneficial bacteria within the gut. And it's a problem affecting people of all ages and lifestyles, but why is that the case? In this episode, we delve into the marvels and mysteries of the gut microbiome to discover:   Why beneficial bacteria in our gut are disappearing. The factors contributing to microbiome depletion. Ways...

Digestive health is a crucial component of overall wellness, but unfortunately, it's not unusual for digestion and healthy eating practices to get sidelined by the chaos of modern life.    So, what is it about our gut that makes it so central to our well-being? In this episode, we embark on a journey through the digestive system, looking at its role in healing and the maintenance of health.   We d...

In a world where we're always switched on and tuned in, rest has become a lost art, often neglected and underestimated. Yet, the practice of true rest is more essential now than ever before.  In this episode, we delve into the importance of rest, including The unseen cultural forces that have reframed rest into something undesirable The varied types of rest your body and mind genuinely need Practi...

Sometimes we reach points in our lives where the selves we've been can no longer continue.    These moments, often described as the "dark night of the soul," signify deep existential crises where identities dissolve, leaving us in a liminal space between what was and what is yet to come.    In this episode, we look at why these transitions are not merely about sadness or stress; but offer a profou...

Healing is a journey that demands more than just physical recovery; it requires mental clarity and resilience. In this episode, we explore the cognitive barriers that prevent us from reaching our full healing capacity. We'll look at: The subtle and complex mental barriers to healing Brain fog and the influence of modern living on our mental processes Simple steps we can take to support our minds a...

Comorbidities and multimorbidity present a profound challenge in modern healthcare. They occur when one person is burdened with multiple chronic conditions, each influencing the others, creating a tangled web of health complications.    In this episode, we shed a light on the holistic approach to decoding and managing multiple symptoms and illnesses.     We look at: The interplay between multiple...

Fear is one of our most powerful emotions. Whether it's fear of the unknown or fear of the known, it is a palpable force that has the capacity to become the backdrop of our lives if we let it. In this episode, we explore fear's role in our health journeys and personal growth. Fear's dual role -  While fear is not our enemy, it can overwhelm us and hinder our healing if left unmanaged. Types of Fea...

How often do you find yourself saying "I just don't have time"? But is that really true, or a deeper reflection of our relationship with time itself? In this episode, we explore: The illusion of time poverty How busyness has become an identity Practical steps to redefine your relationship with time Understanding the Myth of No Time In my experience as a naturopath, I've encountered countless clien...

The Wellness Bypass In the pursuit of wellness, have we unknowingly bypassed the very heart of healing? Are we so busy tracking our symptoms and adhering to strict health protocols that we've stopped addressing the underlying cause and are instead engaged in wellness bypass?  In this episode, we discuss what is becoming an increasingly more common phenomenon, including: What wellness bypass is and...

Sleep, or the lack of it, is an all-too-common struggle that affects countless individuals. But a body that can't sleep, even when it's exhausted, is trying to tell us something. In this episode, we pull back the blanket on sleep, looking at:  Why insomnia isn't one-dimensional, but a multi-layered issue How our modern lifestyle often conflicts with our biological sleep needs Why awareness and acc...

Why is it that we can do 'all the right things' and feel unwell? Why is it we become sick, despite our best efforts to eat the right food and embrace the right habits? It's a question I return to often with patients in my clinic. But the reality is, it's not your fault you're sick, and in this episode we discuss why, including: Why illness isn't a personal failure but a reflection of our interconn...

When balanced, the gut is like a thriving rainforest. But when imbalanced, it leads to what we call gut dysbiosis. And in my clinic, I'm witnessing more cases of imbalance than ever before, impacting overall health and wellness.  But why is that the case? In this episode, we discuss the gut, covering: What gut dysbiosis is and how it impacts health Key disruptors to our gut microbiome Pathways to...

From the things we tell ourselves to how we view our health and worth, patriarchy, colonialism, and capitalism have embedded themselves in our daily lives. In fact, even our most empowered acts of self-improvement can actually be disguised obedience.  In this episode, we take a deep dive into what we've been told and taught about being a woman, being beautiful, being good, and being well, includin...

We often think of seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling as passive processes. But they're also our body's earliest protectors and its most reliable guides. In a world that moves fast and overwhelms easily, our senses quietly signal when to soften, when to brace, and when we are safe enough to connect. The trouble is, modern life can dull those signals. Constant noise, stress, overstimul...

Energy is a fundamental part of our well-being that often goes overlooked until it feels depleted. But when our bodies whisper for rest amidst the clatter of daily life, it's time to listen and restore what has quietly slipped away. In this episode, we'll look at society's widespread exhaustion epidemic, including: Safeguarding your energy Prioritising rituals Creating sustainable rhythms, includi...

"Inflammation isn't the enemy. It's a messenger. Acute inflammation heals us, but chronic inflammation harms us." Inflammation gets blamed for everything; joint pain, fatigue, skin flare-ups, gut issues, brain fog, even mood disorders. But here's what's often missed: inflammation isn't always the enemy. It's also your body's ancient protector, a messenger saying "pay attention". The real problem b...

"Healing doesn't begin with restriction. It begins with awareness"    Ever wondered why you feel bloated after meals or drag yourself through the afternoon with low energy?  The problem might not be what you're eating, but how you're eating it.  We explore: The forgotten connection between our eating habits, stress levels, and digestive health The 15-30-15 rule Why that 3pm slump and post-meal blo...

"Your body is wise. It is simply protecting you the best way it knows how." If you've ever felt stuck, disconnected, or so tired that even rest doesn't help, this episode speaks directly to you.  In this episode of This is How We Heal, we explore the freeze response, a state where your body goes still and you numb out to cope, even though life feels far away, despite still showing up for work and...

"Is it your gut, your hormones, or your nervous system? It's likely all of them. And that's good news because it means you have more than one doorway into healing." When you're experiencing symptoms such as fatigue that won't shift, brain fog, mysterious bloating, skin breakouts, or anxiety, we naturally want to find the one culprit to fix it all.  Is it hormones? Is it the gut? Could it be stress...