Stuck Not Broken
Stuck Not Broken
Justin Sunseri
Five Common Self-Help Habits That Accidentally Keep Your Nervous System Sensitized and Stuck
21 minutes Posted Mar 10, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Why More Self-Help Doing Fails
Show Intro And Disclaimer
Habit 1 Toxic Positivity
Affirmations Vs Nervous System
Habit 2 Controlled Breathwork
Notice Natural Breathing
Habit 3 Trauma Journaling Risks
Safer Journaling Alternatives
Habit 4 Rigid Morning Routines
Flexible Routines By State
Habit 5 Feeling Feelings Too Fast
Build Capacity And Wrap Up
Final Thanks And Legal Disclaimer
0:00
21:37
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Show notes

Is your self-help routine actually making things worse?

The self-help industry has one answer for everything: do more. More habits, more discipline, more effort. But for a nervous system that's already overwhelmed — stuck in sympathetic flight/fight, freeze overdrive, or dorsal shutdown — more doing can mean more frustration, more overwhelm, and more defeat.

In this episode, I break down 5 common self-help habits that may be working against you if you don't yet have the nervous system capacity for them.

Capacity Builder Live (live meditation sessions) → https://www.stucknotbroken.com/c/calendar/?topics=182524 Unstucking Academy → https://www.stucknotbroken.com/unstuckingacademy Previous episode on trauma narrative → https://youtu.be/pvJNSJ8q1aM

🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-page

It helps you recognize your state. It never tells you what you are. No quiz, no verdict, no card.

🤩 Ready to go deeper? Explore resources at every price point here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/how-i-can-help-you?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=how-i-can-help

🙂 Don't know the Polyvagal Theory? Catch up here - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0

This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.  Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)

Mentioned in this episode:

Naming Your Stuckness

Not sure which stuck state you're in? That's normal, and more common than you'd think. I made a free page that lays the stuck states out in plain language so you can find words for what you're experiencing. No quiz, no email just to look:

https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=dynamic_spot&utm_campaign=stuck-page