The rush of being needed – that warm sensation when someone turns to you in crisis – feels incredible, but what if your desire to help might sometimes be more about you than them? This powerful episode dives deep into the psychology of our "rescue reflex" and explores when supporting others becomes a hidden addiction.
When you constantly swoop in to fix others' problems, your brain floods with dopamine, oxytocin, and adrenaline, creating what neuroscientists call a "helper's high" that can be as addictive as any substance. Parents finishing their children's projects, colleagues taking on others' work, friends who drop everything for every crisis – these behaviors often masquerade as love while secretly saying "I don't think you can handle this without me."
Through personal stories, expert insights, and a powerful guided reflection, you'll discover how constant rescuing might actually be keeping the people around you small. The episode introduces three transformative practices – the Physical Pause, the Body Check, and the Boundary Phrase – that work with your biology to break these patterns. You'll learn the profound difference between supporting and saving, illustrated through a moving personal story about accompanying a friend through cancer while honoring her dignity and agency.
Ready to transform how you show up for others without losing yourself? Download the Empowered Presence Framework at liftoneselfcom/tools and start creating boundaries that aren't walls, but gates designed to preserve your capacity for true connection. Your healing isn't selfish – it's revolutionary
Download The Empowered Presence Framework here
https://www.liftoneself.com/tools.
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