{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhealth-matters.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Ffeeling-stuck-why-task-paralysis-happens-n9XYURKN","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Feeling Stuck? Why Task Paralysis Happens","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/261e0c39-021d-4f7f-ad90-c6c6d26f9479/371e6d67-ac0d-44b8-b9a6-ec3c1d19226d/showcover_showhealth_matters_copy.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/6dbdd482-a92a-4ee6-96e8-f9889c805fbf\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Feeling Stuck? Why Task Paralysis Happens\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"We've all experienced it: staring at a task, knowing it needs to get done, but feeling unable to start. In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Alyssa Ames-Sikora, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia, explains what's happening in our brains when we experience task paralysis.\nDr. Ames-Sikora discusses the roles of anxiety, perfectionism, impulsivity, and decision overload in keeping us stuck. She also shares evidence-based strategies to help break tasks into more manageable steps, build momentum, and work through avoidance.\nThe conversation also explores why task paralysis can be especially challenging for children and teens and offers practical advice for parents looking to support healthy habits and follow-through.\n"}