Healing Is My Hobby

What if you didn’t have to answer every anxious “what if” to feel safe? What if anxiety isn’t trying to predict the future, but pulling you out of the present? In this Therapy Is My Cardio episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica Colarco invites you to think about emotional fitness the same way you think about physical fitness. Anxiety, especially “what if” thinking , is treated here not as a flaw...

Ever wonder why anxiety shows up even when “nothing is wrong”? Anxiety gets a bad reputation, but what if it’s not the enemy? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica Colarco invites you to take a softer, more compassionate look at anxiety, not as a flaw or something to “fix,” but as a natural nervous system response trying to keep you safe. Together, we explore the many ways anxiety can s...

As we step into a new year, the pressure to reset, improve, and “get it right” can quietly wake anxiety up. In this opening January episode of Healing Is My Hobby , licensed clinical social worker Jessica Colarco invites listeners to slow down and begin the year differently. Instead of diving into productivity or self-fixing energy, this episode offers a compassionate introduction to anxiety—what...

What if you ended the year without fixing, forcing, or reinventing yourself—just listening? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica Colarco invites you into a Nervous System Year in Review, a gentle reflection that looks back on the year through the wisdom of the body rather than productivity or achievement. Together, you’ll explore what your nervous system carried, what brought comfort,...

Have you ever opened social media feeling totally fine… and closed the app feeling off—but you can’t quite explain why? Maybe a post didn’t get the response you hoped for. Maybe you saw something that made you feel left out, behind, or suddenly not enough. In today’s episode of Healing Is My Hobby , we’re exploring why social media can hit so deep—and why those reactions might not be about the app...

What happens when you finally stop scrolling long enough to hear your own mind again? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica steps into the Healing Lab to share the surprising results of her four-day social media reset. What started as a simple break quickly revealed how deeply woven digital habits are into daily life—the impulse to check, the discomfort of stillness, and the quiet compa...

Is your phone draining your energy faster than it drains its battery? In a world where our screens pull at us from the moment we wake up, digital peace isn’t accidental — it’s something we build. In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica dives into the art of digital boundaries and why they’re essential for protecting your mental wellness. Through a warm-up, a strength series, and a soothin...

How much is social media shaping your mood—and how much is it training your brain? In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica explores the intricate relationship between social media and mental wellness. She delves into the neuroscience behind scrolling, the impact of comparison culture, cognitive load, and the effects of algorithm-driven anxiety. The conversation highlights the emotional exh...

What happens when burnout meets old perfectionism and people-pleasing? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the complexities of healing, particularly in relation to trauma responses and burnout. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between stress and trauma responses, and how these can impact the healing journey. Jessica provides practical strat...

What if the secret to burnout recovery is a hot soak and a tiny craft kit? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores burnout recovery through two main practices: heat therapy and slow crafting. She discusses the science behind warm water immersion and its effects on the nervous system, as well as the benefits of engaging in slow, repetitive craft activities like diamond pain...

What if journaling could be the antidote to burnout? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the transformative power of journaling as a tool for mental wellness and personal growth. She discusses various techniques for journaling, emphasizing its role in processing thoughts, managing stress, and fostering self-compassion. The episode includes practical exercises and encou...

Ever wonder why rest doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore? In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the critical distinction between being tired and experiencing burnout. She delves into the signs and symptoms of burnout, its causes, and offers practical strategies for recovery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of rest, the need...

Can five sensory cues really help calm your nervous system in under a minute? In this closing episode of the October Stress Series , Jessica Colarco, LCSW, reflects on what we’ve learned about stress and how to tend to it with compassion. She guides listeners through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique — a quick, sensory-based reset that helps shift the nervous system from stress to safety. Jessica...

In this short and powerful episode of Healing Is My Hobby , licensed clinical social worker Jessica Colarco explores the fine line between stress and burnout — and how to recognize the moment when “too much” becomes “not enough.” Through gentle reflection and grounding affirmations, Jessica reminds listeners that healing starts with awareness and self-compassion. This mindful mini-episode invites...

How can a single mindful breath shift your entire day? In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the theme of stress and healing through a guided check-in and breathing exercises. She emphasizes the importance of being present and taking micro moments for self-care, reminding listeners that healing can happen anywhere and that every small act of kindness towards oneself is s...

Jessica reflects on a month of experimenting with stress-reduction tools. By journaling daily stress levels and practicing box breathing and the 4-7-8 technique, she shares why stress isn’t something you “fix,” it’s something you tend—day by day. The big takeaway: consistency > perfection. Key takeaways Stress care is ongoing tending, not a one-time fix. Micro-practices work: even 5 minutes can...

In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica explores various wellness strategies focused on stress reduction. She shares her personal experiences with journaling, meditation, and breathing techniques, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and small, manageable changes in daily habits. Through her 'Healing Lab' approach, she encourages listeners to experiment with different methods to fi...

In this episode, Jessica Colarco explores the connection between stress and physical symptoms. She discusses how stress can manifest in the body, the role of trauma responses, and the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness in managing these symptoms. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and intentional practices to foster mental wellness and personal growth. Key Takeaways: Str...

In this session, Jessica Colarco introduces box breathing as a powerful technique for stress relief. The conversation includes a guided breathing exercise and imagery to help listeners relax and manage anxiety. The session concludes with a reflection on personal boundaries and choices to lower stress levels. Key Takeaways: Box breathing helps signal safety to our nervous system. Breathing techniqu...

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby , Jessica Colarco, LCSW, breaks down the difference between stress and anxiety —and why understanding both is essential for your mental health . You’ll learn how to spot the signs, discover tools for stress management , and explore why boundaries and sleep are non-negotiables for your emotional well-being . Jessica also shares practical strategies—like journa...

✨ Welcome to the very first episode of Healing Is My Hobby — where healing meets curiosity, compassion, and a little bit of play. I’m Jessica Colarco, LCSW, and I’m here to remind you that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s a journey, sometimes messy, always personal, and full of possibilities. ✨ Takeaways Healing is a lifelong hobby full of insight and discovery. Healing is messy, beautiful...