Nicole O’Donnell shares a powerful Lyme Hack: learning to be present and using breathwork can help calm the nervous system and support healing during chronic Lyme disease.
- Practice Being Present
- Chronic Lyme disease can cause constant worry about the future.
- Focusing on the present moment reduces anxiety and overwhelm.
- Staying grounded helps you navigate symptoms more effectively.
- Use Breathwork to Regulate Your Body
- Breathwork can help calm the nervous system during flare-ups.
- Focusing on slow, deep belly breathing can ease discomfort.
- Simple breathing practices can be used anytime, anywhere.
- Accept and Move Through Difficult Moments
- Trying to fight symptoms can increase stress and tension.
- Acceptance helps reduce fear and resistance.
- With practice, you can move through symptoms with more ease and confidence.
Nicole’s message highlights the importance of calming the mind and body—showing that healing from Lyme disease often involves supporting the nervous system, not just treating symptoms.
“By being present and focusing on my breath, I know I’ll get through the day and keep moving forward.” – Nicole O’Donnell
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This 2026 Lyme Hack was recorded during Tick Boot Camp’s coverage of the inaugural Stories That Heal: Author Series, where leaders, patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates came together to advance awareness, education, and hope for the Lyme disease community.
Video Transcript:
Matt Sabatello, Co-Founder of Tick Boot Camp: So, I’m here with Nicole O’Donnell, my new and recent friend who has become a really good friend. Nicole, can you tell us what your top Lyme hack would be? For Lyme Awareness Month, we do the Lyme Hackathon. I know this is going to be your first year, but I’m really excited to hear what your tip is going to be for everybody suffering from chronic Lyme.
Nicole O’Donnell: Sure, I would love to. For me, it was 100% learning to be present. I had a very hard time with always being so stuck in my illness and symptoms, and worrying about not being able to get better. I just had to learn to truly be present in the moment and know that I cannot predict what’s going to happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. That has helped me tremendously. I still do it to this day. It’s very easy to go right back to worrying and thinking that you’re going to be in your worst symptoms. But I know that by being present and doing things like breathwork and somatic work, I will be okay, I’ll get through the day, and I’ll be able to continue to live a normal life.
Matt: Nicole, I’m going to push you a little bit more because when those memories and thoughts come into your mind—like they do, as you noted—can you demonstrate a breathwork technique that you do for everybody watching right now on camera?
Nicole: Okay. Interestingly enough, you introduced me to Primal Trust and I’ve been doing that work. Multiple times a day, I’ll just be in it—just being okay with being in whatever I’m feeling. I tend to have issues with breathing, feeling like I can’t get my breath, and I just truly concentrate on that belly breath. I focus on being okay and accepting where I’m at with it right now.
Matt: Primal Trust and Dr. Cat King—she has been on our podcast and she’s fantastic. We love her and I’m happy she’s helping you. Nicole, thank you so much for sharing your Lyme hack with our listeners.
Nicole: Thank you for having me.
Explore more expert insights from our Lyme Hackathon series and discover how healing is possible with the right knowledge, support, and approach on our Lyme Hackathon page.
