What to do when meditation feels unbearable

Have you ever been told to “just relax” when your body felt like it was on high alert? In this episode, we unpack why that advice fails—and how suicide prevention requires understanding stress physiology, not willpower, by meeting the nervous system with safety before insight.

What we cover:

• Why “relax more” is a behavioral demand, not a biological solution
• The difference between calming thoughts and regulating a stressed nervous system
• Four sequencing shifts that actually help:
• Rhythmic movement instead of stillness
• Connection before introspection
• Predictability before positivity
• Regulation before reflection

Thrive With Leo Coaching:

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US:

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.