Consider Yourself Hugged - A Place for Women: Recent Episodes
Tami West and Michelle Kixmiller
Hi we are Tami and Michelle, your hosts for Consider Yourself Hugged: A place for women! Do you find yourself thinking, "Life can be so overwhelming! I feel so frustrated all the time! I worry about everything! I wish I could speak up more and not be a doormat!" If you're looking for improved mental and emotional well-being, please join us every Wednesday as we talk about how to make positive choices in your life.
About us: Tami West, MS, PhD In 1995, Tami West was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after 2 traumatic student teaching experiences (well, also being pre-disposed to mental illness, tough childhood, being bullied!). She understands what it's like to grow up with mental illness and the many opportunities she missed in school during a time where understanding was minimal. Because of this, Tami became a PhD just so she could understand how to help others live happier, more fulfilled lives. Tami’s work experiences in hospitals, physician’s offices, research labs, public schools, and corporate sales provide her insights that she uses to help others find solutions to their challenges. Her undergraduate degrees in science and education, as well as her doctoral research in human development, uniquely equip her to teach audiences new information – not the same old stuff. Along with school-based groups, Dr. West’s clients come from all walks of life, from Danbury Federal Prison inmates (the setting of the Netflix Emmy-winning series Orange is the New Black) to executives at Social Security Administration. Her publications include The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters, and A Woman’s Guide to Personal Achievement and Professional Success. She has spoken for groups in 48 states across the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. When she’s not speaking or writing, you might find her traveling with husband & family, reading historical fiction, or watching The Big Bang Theory.
Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit.
🎧 Episode SummaryIn our powerful season finale, Tami and Michelle and I are joined by Tami’s younger sister Brittney, a 911 dispatcher in Metro Nashville. This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to handle crisis calls, especially involving mental health.Brittney shares how she found her way to dispatching after personal loss, what it’s like to manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression while helping others in crisis, and what everyone should know about calling 911 when a loved one is struggling. She also talks about the support systems in place for dispatchers (and what's lacking), and why she’s passionate about breaking the stigma of mental health in emergency communications.“You want someone who’s been through what you’re going through.” – Brittney🔑 Key Takeaways• What happens behind the scenes during a 911 mental health crisis call• Why knowing your address is the most important thing you can do• The real reason dispatchers are often not considered first responders in Tennessee • How Brittney is using her story to educate and encourage others in the field • Hope for the future: Brittney’s journey into public speaking and possibly psychologyShow notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-and-911. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
In this final installment of our AI mini-series, we dive into the heart of the conversation: AI safety, ethics, trust, and how to use this powerful technology responsibly. With real-life stories, fascinating examples (including a fake AI-generated podcast!), and thoughtful questions, this episode is your guide to being smart—not scared—about AI.We’re not tech experts, and we don’t have to be. What we bring you is real talk from curious, cautious, and caring humans just like you. You’ll walk away with practical tools, deeper insight, and a renewed confidence to explore AI with your eyes wide open.🧭 In This Episode:📢 AI is Everywhere: Why people are talking about it more than ever—and why it’s divisive🐶 The Puppy Podcast Surprise: AI fooled us all with a completely fake but convincing audio🔐 The Real Concerns: Deepfakes, fake news, and identity theft🤖 Hallucinations & Bias: When AI "makes stuff up" or mirrors societal prejudices👩⚕️ Human Use, Human Choice: A look into healthcare, education, and business applications🧠 Trust and Verification: Why your personal review still matters💡 Practical Tips: How to stay curious, cautious, and clear-headed🧍♀️Human Connection AI: Why tech can help—but never replace—empathy🎓 Lifelong Learning: How to stay ahead of inevitable workplace shifts🛠️ Tami’s Light Clamp Moment: What a desk lamp taught her about change and simplicity📋 AI Safety & Ethics Takeaways : See more in show notes at Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back! Today Michelle and I have spent the last few months diving deep into AI—how it works, how we can use it, and what impact it has on our mental and emotional well-being. AI is everywhere, and whether we like it or not, it’s influencing our daily lives. But can it actually support emotional health? Or does it take away from real human connection?In this episode, we share our personal experiences using AI for everything from journaling to simplifying life—and how we balance it with staying present in our relationships. We also include a short clip from James Barnes (Jamie, my son 😊), who has extensive experience in AI development, to give insight into some of the biggest misconceptions and benefits of AI.If you’ve ever felt hesitant (or even scared!) about AI, or you’re just curious about how it could make life easier, this conversation is for you! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/boost-your-emotional-well-being-with-ai.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Michelle and I started off trying to be super organized, but AI is such a HUGE topic that we found ourselves wandering down different rabbit holes! So, today’s episode is all about laying the groundwork—what AI is, how it can actually help with mental and emotional well-being, and why you don’t need to be afraid of it taking over your life. 😆We also sprinkled in some fun AI-generated jokes, absurd wellness tips, and a guessing game where AI shocked us all by figuring out Michelle’s mystery object (you'll have to watch to see what it was!).So buckle up, because we’re about to take a lighthearted but informative dive into the world of AI! 🚀Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/what-is-ai-and-why-should-you-careThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back to Consider Yourself Hugged! Today, Michelle and I are diving into The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath—one of the most hauntingly personal books on mental health, identity, and societal pressure.From the weight of expectations on women to the stigma surrounding depression and treatment, this book is filled with themes that still hit home today. But, as ChatGPT pointed out when I was researching, Michelle and I tend to approach heavy topics with a lighter touch—so we’ll do our best to balance depth with relatability in today’s conversation.📖 In this episode, we explore:✔️ The Bell Jar metaphor—what it teaches us about depression✔️ Esther Greenwood’s journey—from New York to a psychiatric hospital✔️ Societal expectations for women in the 1950s vs. now✔️ Key quotes and moments that left an impact✔️ How mental health treatment has evolved since Plath’s time✔️ Lessons we can take from this book to better understand ourselves & othersWe also share some personal reflections, unexpected moments of humor, and insights from our own experiences with mental health.See show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/the-bell-jar-mentalhealthThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back! Today Michelle and I dive deep into compassion fatigue, exploring how it impacts our mental health and well-being. We discuss symptoms, risk factors, and practical strategies we’ve found helpful in preventing or managing emotional exhaustion. We also introduce an alternative perspective on compassion fatigue and highlight the importance of self-care.🛑 Key Topics:What is Compassion Fatigue? 💙The emotional toll of constant caregiving 🩺Symptoms and warning signs 🚨Is it really compassion fatigue or empathy fatigue? 🤔The impact of unprocessed emotional exhaustion 😞How we can recover and build resilience 💪Insights from the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology 🌿💡 Key Takeaways:1️⃣ Understanding Compassion FatigueIt stems from prolonged exposure to others' suffering 💔It leads to emotional exhaustion, numbness, and detachment 😓It’s common among caregivers, healthcare workers, and those in helping roles 🤝Read more in show notes atThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
💡 Feeling drained, exhausted, or unmotivated? Burnout is real, and in this episode, we’re diving deep into:✅ What burnout is (hint: it’s NOT just stress)✅ Who’s most at risk (it might surprise you!)✅ How to recognize and prevent it before it takes over✅ Our personal burnout experiences & strategies that helped✅ Self-assessments and resources to help you check in with yourselfMore in show notes at: https://www.tamiwest.com/post/tackling-burnout.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Chatter: Understanding & Managing Your Inner VoiceWelcome back! Today, we'll discuss Chatter by Ethan Kross, a book that dives deep into the nature of self-talk, how it can spiral into negativity, and practical strategies for quieting that inner critic. We'll explore how the book's concepts apply to our own experiences with anxiety, depression, and mental well-being.Key Takeaways from Chatter📖 What is Chatter?Chatter refers to cyclical, negative self-talk that fuels anxiety, self-doubt, and stress.Our inner voice can be helpful for problem-solving and motivation, but when it turns into chatter, it can be destructive.🧠 Understanding Self-Talk & ChatterOur brains process thoughts at a staggering 4,000 words per minute!Studies show that what we think about impacts our happiness more than our actual experiencesThe book provides 12 evidence-based strategies to reduce chatter. For more, see show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/chatter-book-club-4Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back, friends! This week, Michelle and I are recording from the beautiful (and snowy) Orange Beach, Alabama, during our first annual (hopefully) women’s retreat. It’s been an incredible mix of relaxation, brainstorming, and… well, some adventures we didn’t quite plan for. Who knew sticky notes and snow could be so memorable (you’ll have to watch/listen to hear THAT story! 🤣)!But this episode isn’t just about sticky notes or Alabama snow (the first since the 1800s, by the way!). Today, we’re diving into the latest book from our mini book club: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. Listen for more. Show notes with more details at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/southern-book-club-bookclub3.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome Back! We’re so glad you’re here for another episode of our book club series. This week, Michelle and I are diving into another powerful and thought-provoking book, and we can’t wait to share our thoughts with you. As always, we’ll sprinkle in some fun and laughter because, let’s face it, life can be messy and unpredictable—but that’s what makes it beautiful.Take a moment to grab your coffee, tea, or favorite drink (Michelle’s been sipping on soda while I’ve been stretching out my "super skinny" Caramelicious from Scooters over several days). Let’s settle in and talk books, faith, and everything in between.Book Club Overview: This week’s focus is The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Last week, we discussed From Here to the Great Unknown, and next week, we’ll dive into The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. The transition from a Christian inspirational memoir to a quirky vampire-themed novel feels like emotional whiplash, but that’s part of the fun, right? Expect some laughs and deep conversations as we navigate these very different genres.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/thehidingplace-bookclub2Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welome!Hi, friends! Today we’re diving into Lisa Marie Presley’s book From Here to the Great Unknown. Michelle is taking the lead on this episode, but I just finished the book on Audible a couple of days ago and absolutely loved it. We’ll explore the heart-wrenching yet beautiful journey of Lisa Marie’s life, her relationships, and the legacy she left behind.Stick around until the end because we’ll be sharing some exciting updates on the upcoming books in our mini book club series. Hint: Our next read is The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. It's a bit longer, so we encourage you to start soon! Find out more in the show notes at: https://www.tamiwest.com/post/bookclub-1-lisamariepresleyThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back! Today, Michelle and I are so excited to share something new—a book club! We’re diving into stories that inspire and impact us, blending fun and learning along the way. We’re starting with two very different books: Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough’s From Here to the Great Unknown and Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place.We’ll be talking about the lessons these books taught us, how they’ve influenced our perspectives, and how they might resonate with you. Whether you’re a bookworm, audiobook lover, or just curious, we’d love for you to join us on this journey! We want you to have time to read or listen to the book if you’d like, but even if you don’t please join us. We’ll explain the basic plot, and the lessons will be powerful.Show notes with links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/page-turners-and-life-changers-lessons-from-our-favorite-booksShow notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/page-turners-and-life-changers-lessons-from-our-favorite-booksThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Hey friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can you believe it? Last time we recorded, it was right before Christmas, and now it’s just before New Year’s. If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out, it’s officially New Year’s Day. Cheers to fresh starts!Let’s be honest—resolutions can be tricky. Did you know 80% fail by February, and only 8% of people actually achieve them? Here’s why:1. Goals are often too vague or unrealistic.2. People rely solely on willpower—and let’s face it, that’s exhausting.3. No clear plan or system to follow.4. They’re based on societal pressure rather than personal values.Today let's dive into how to do it better! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/are-you-ready-for-change-in-the-new-year-final-holiday-mental-health-guide. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Very short and sweet today - we just want to express last minute thoughts about the day and wish those of you who celebrate a Very Merry Christmas!Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.co
🎙️ Welcome Back to Consider Yourself Hugged! In this episode, we continue our Holiday Mental Health Guide series with Part 5: Expectations, Family, Food, & Alcohol. The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, but for many, it's a source of stress and emotional strain. Today, we’re tackling four common holiday challenges that impact mental health and well-being.Show notes with activity sheet at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/expectations-family-food-alcohol-holiday-mental-health-guide-part-5Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Today is a repeat of a 2021 holiday episode on grief. It was so popular that it made sense to reshare. Enjoy!!
Hug 187 What's Been Your Favorite Thanksgiving?: Holiday Mental Health Guide Part 3 by Tami West
Hi friends!This week, Michelle and I are back with Part II of our Holiday Mental Health Series, and we’re diving into anxiety. If the holidays bring you feelings of overwhelm, financial stress, or family drama, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered.What We Talk About Today:Anxiety and Holidays Can Go Hand in HandMichelle and I started by sharing some eye-opening stats on how common holiday anxiety is. Did you know:52% of people feel more anxious during the holidays.66% experience financial stress.24% of folks with mental health challenges say the holidays make it worse.63% even said the holidays are more stressful than tax season!It’s no wonder so many people struggle to feel holly jolly!We also talked about some reasons behind the stress:Increased Social Demands: Parties, gatherings, and the pressure to be “on” can feel overwhelming.Financial Strain: Buying gifts, hosting meals, and traveling can stretch anyone’s budget.Family Dynamics: Old tensions and unresolved conflicts often resurface.Loneliness: The holidays can amplify feelings of isolation, even when you’re in a crowded room.Unrealistic Expectations: Those Hallmark movie moments? Yeah, they don’t exist in real life.Our Quirky Holiday Anxiety QuizOkay, let’s talk about the quiz! It was such a fun way to gauge where we are on the holiday anxiety scale. Michelle scored an 11, which put her solidly in the Holiday Hero category (I mean, of course, right?!). Meanwhile, I got a 16—a Festive Fence-Sitter.Here’s the breakdown:Holiday Hero (10–15 points): You thrive during the holidays! You’re the life of the party and keep the festive spirit alive.Festive Fence-Sitter (16–24 points): You love the holidays, but they can feel like a lot. Boundaries and balance are your best friends.Tinsel-Tied (25–30 points): The holidays? More like holi-daze. It’s time to simplify, breathe, and take care of YOU.If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, check out the link below with all the activities we promised! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/navigating-anxiety-holiday-mental-health-guide-part-2. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Hey friends! Today, Michelle and I are diving into a topic that’s often swept under the holiday rug: depression. The holidays can be a joyful time, but they can also intensify feelings of sadness, loneliness, and stress. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about what holiday depression can look like, how to recognize it, and ways to navigate it. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to offer you some understanding, support, and maybe even a little laughter along the way.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Hey everyone! Welcome to our final Positive Psychology episode/celebration! In this final episode of our Positive Psychology series, we look back at the journey we’ve taken, exploring the key insights and transformative lessons from each module. This episode brings together the core themes and strategies, offering a holistic view of how positive psychology can enhance our well-being, resilience, and joy. We’ll also share some personal reflections, including our top five tools that had the most impact, and the lessons we’ve taken to heart.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
So glad you're still with us! In today’s episode, Michelle and I delve into two essential pillars of positive psychology: gratitude and communication. We’ll talk about how they’re not only key to your happiness but essential for building and maintaining strong, fulfilling relationships.Throughout this episode, we’ll share stories, practical tips, and give you a sneak peek into the exercises we’ve included in the accompanying activity sheet. This will help you apply what we discuss in real life. Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with actionable steps you can start implementing today! Get your activity sheet in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/communication-gratitude-relationships-positive-psychology-part-9.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back! Today we dive into the topic of mindfulness and what it really means to live in the present moment. We discuss why it’s so hard to stay focused on the here and now and explore how becoming more mindful can transform the way we experience life. Have you ever found yourself caught up in the past or worrying about the future? Today, we’re going to break down how mindfulness can help free you from those distractions.Show notes with activity sheet at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/present-moment-mindfulness-positive-psychology-part-8.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/facebook/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
In this special Intermission episode, I take a moment to reflect on the three most significant lessons I've learned during the first seven modules of our Positive Psychology course. These lessons have deeply impacted my personal growth and outlook, and I believe they can resonate with anyone striving for greater well-being.Lessons/Questions so Far1. Do You Want to Get Well?2. Do You Want to Engage?3. Do You Want to Practice Even When You Don't Feel Like It?Now go listen for more! :)Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/intermission-lessons-from-positive-psychology.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/facebook/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
We know that life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like things just aren’t going our way. That’s where optimism comes in, giving us the ability to see a brighter future. But it’s not just about having a positive mindset—it’s about staying motivated to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.As always, we’ve put together an activity sheet filled with exercises to help you apply the strategies we’ll discuss today. Don’t worry, we won’t go over all the exercises here—you’ll get those on the sheet—but we’ll give you a sense of what’s to come. Let’s dive in!What is Optimism? Optimism is often misunderstood as being overly positive or naïve, but in reality, it’s much deeper than that. Optimism is the mindset that allows you to view challenges as temporary and surmountable. It’s the belief that, even though things may be difficult right now, they will improve, and you have the power to influence the outcome.Michelle and I often talk about how optimism impacts not only our mental health but also our physical well-being. Research shows that people with an optimistic outlook tend to have better health outcomes, live longer, and generally enjoy a higher quality of life.Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring the tough stuff—it’s about recognizing the difficulties but believing that you can get through them. On our activity sheet, you’ll find a great exercise to help you practice this skill by identifying areas in your life where you can reframe negative thinking into more optimistic perspectives. Trust me, this is a game-changer.Read more AND get the activity sheet in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/optimism-motivation-positive-psychology-part-7.
Welcome back to another episode in our positive psychology series! Today, we’re diving into the topic of self-esteem and self-confidence, two qualities that affect all of us, whether we realize it or not. Be sure to get the activity sheet in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/self-esteem-confidence-positive-psychology-part-6.Understanding Self-Esteem vs. Self-ConfidenceSelf-esteem is how we value ourselves—our sense of worth and whether we believe we deserve love and respect from ourselves and others. Self-confidence, on the other hand, is trusting in our abilities in specific situations. You might be confident in a particular skill at work but still struggle with overall self-esteem. They are related but distinct!Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Positive psychology, as we’ve been discussing throughout this series, is all about focusing on the strengths and attributes that allow us to thrive, rather than just avoiding or treating problems. In this session, we’re focusing on something truly magical—our positive emotions.According to research from positive psychology, cultivating emotions like joy, gratitude, serenity, and love doesn’t just make you feel good in the moment—they actually help you build a healthier and more resilient mind and body over time. As we put it the other day, "Positive emotions are like sunshine for your brain." I love that visual!Head over to the show notes to see more AND get the activity sheet at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/positive-emotions-positive-psychology-part-5.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/
Hi friends, welcome back! Today in Part 4, we are diving into something incredibly powerful that we all need to revisit from time to time—finding meaning in our lives and setting goals that align with our values.Michelle and I have both experienced times when we felt like we were just going through the motions, and I’m sure you have, too. We get so caught up in the busyness of life that we lose sight of what’s truly important to us. But here's the thing—our sense of fulfillment, joy, and motivation all come from aligning our daily actions with the things we value most.In today’s episode, we’re not just talking about setting goals for the sake of achieving something. We’re talking about meaningful goals—goals that resonate with your heart, that are in harmony with your values, and that make you feel like you're living your purpose.But here's the best part! We've created an activity sheet just for you! Check out the show notes and get all the info at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/meaning-in-life-accomplishments-positive-psychology-part-4. **Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/
Today, we're diving into the third module of the our Positive Psychology Course, focusing on the critical concepts of happiness and well-being. This module is all about understanding what happiness truly is, how to cultivate it in our daily lives, and how to guide others on this fulfilling journey.Understanding Happiness and Well-BeingWe all strive for happiness—a lasting state of satisfaction, calmness, and balance. But what does happiness really mean? In this module, we explore happiness as more than just a fleeting emotion; it's a deep, enduring sense of well-being that we can cultivate by focusing on key areas of our lives.The Science Behind HappinessHappiness isn't just a state of mind—it's also a chemical process in our bodies. The feel-good chemicals—serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins—play a significant role in how happy we feel. But did you know that happiness is also influenced by our genetics? Research suggests that about 50% of our happiness is determined by our genes, but the good news is that the other 50% is within our control! This is where positive psychology comes into play, helping us maximize our potential for happiness. Be sure to listen to learn more! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/positive-psychology-part-3-happiness-wellbeing. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Welcome back friends! Today, Michelle is here with me, and we're delving into the 24 character strengths identified by psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman. These strengths, recognized and valued across various cultures and throughout history, play a significant role in our personal fulfillment. The real impact comes not just from identifying these strengths but from using them in practical, everyday ways to enhance our lives.Why Character Strengths Matter:Character strengths are the foundation of who we are. They influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, contributing to our overall happiness and well-being. By focusing on our strengths rather than our weaknesses, we can cultivate a more fulfilling and positive life.What You'll Do This Week:- Define the 24 character strengths- Determine your 5 greatest strengths using the VIA Survey- Analyze your strengths and learn how to use them to your advantage- Develop actionable tools to make the most of your strengths every dayShow notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/positive-psychology-part2.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/
Hello, fabulous listeners/readers/watchers! If you were with me last week, you know I'm more committed than every to work on my mental and emotional wellbeing. I hope you are too. I’m so excited to share something special with you: Over the next 10 weeks, I’m embarking on a journey to become certified in Positive Psychology—a field that’s all about boosting our happiness, well-being, and overall zest for life. And guess what? I want you to come along for the ride!Here’s the plan: Each week (starting today), I’ll dive into one of the modules from my course and break it down in a way that’s fun, practical, and totally relatable. We’ll explore topics like gratitude, resilience, strengths, and so much more. Not only will this help me cement what I’m learning, but it’ll also give you some amazing tools to enrich your own life.And here’s a couple of little bonuses! First, each week, I’ll be uploading activity documents in the show notes for you to work on between sessions. These are simple, yet powerful exercises that will help you apply what we’re learning and really make it stick. It’s like having a mini course of your own, right alongside me!Second, our dear friend Michelle will be joining us for some of the episodes!This isn’t just about listening—this is about growing together. I want you to take these insights, apply them, and see how they can make a real difference in your everyday life. And the best part? It’s all free! No strings attached, just pure, positive goodness.So, are you ready to join me on this positivity-packed adventure? Let’s learn, laugh, and lift each other up, one week at a time.Let’s get started with our first module. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/positivepsychologypart1. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Welcome back to the new season, friends! I’m so glad to have my dear friend Michelle back with me today. We've both been on a bit of a journey lately, and today we’re diving into something that's been on our minds a lot: holistic mental health. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/holistic-mental-health. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome Fellow Huggers for the last time this season!! Today, Michelle Kixmiller joins me for the first time in a bit 😊 You are going to be SO blessed by what she has to say. FYI, below are her notes & suggestions, but be sure to listen to hear the touching story of her brother.In today’s episode, titled “Loving Someone to Death,” we delve into the crucial topic of mental health awareness, focusing on addiction, codependency, and emotional needs. This episode is dedicated to understanding the challenges faced by those who watch a loved one struggle with addiction and the emotional toll it takes on them. Show notes post by 7 am CST 6/12/24Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Yearbooks are snapshots of a time we often look back on with mixed emotions. For some, they encapsulate memories of friendships, triumphs, and the journey of self-discovery. For others, they are a reminder of challenging times, struggles with identity, and the harsh realities of adolescence. This is especially true for those who, like me, were quiet, bullied, and not popular. My middle school and high school years were marked by a turbulent home life, living in poverty, and the challenges of being overweight.Despite these hardships, revisiting my yearbooks has provided valuable insights into my identity during those formative years. It has been a journey of understanding who I was, who I am, and who I aspire to be. This episode is an exploration of those reflections, lessons learned, and the ways we can all find strength in our past experiences.As I reflect on these yearbook entries and the memories they evoke, several key lessons about identity emerge. That's what I'll share with you today! Show notes post by 7 AM CST 6/5/2024. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Welcome to week 5 of Mental Health Awareness Month! Today I'm discussing two seemingly unrelated topics: The 1976 Chowchilla kidnappings and the death by suicide of golfer Grayson Murray. In 1976, 26 elementary and middle school kids and their bus driver were kidnapped by 3 armed men, their faces covered with panty hose. They were driven around for 11 hours and eventually forced to climb into a 26' trailer buried underground. After all 27 were in, the kidnappers sealed the opening and buried the remaining portion of the trailer with dirt. They dug themselves out after 16 hours. Their lives were forever changed, and because childhood trauma wasn't understood, their mental health was forever damaged.This past week on Saturday, May 25th, pro-golfer Grayson Murray took his life after a fairly public battle with depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. In an interview last year (Link in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/chowchilla-to-grayson-murray-mentalhealth), he said: I just thought I was a failure. I always looked at myself as a failure. I thought I had a lot of talent that was just a waste of talent. It was a bad place, but like I said, you have to have courage. You have to have the willingness to keep going. Lo and behold, that’s what I did, and I’m here, and I’m so blessed and I’m thankful.He was in the public eye, and felt like a failure.How are they related? They are related because they both help us to see both how far we have come in treatment, help, and stigma surrounding mental health AND how much more there is to be done. I hope you'll listen to today's episode. The reason it struck me so, in part, was because I WAS the age of those children during the Chowchilla kidnappings. In 1976 I was 12 years-old, the age where my panic attacks were debilitating, but panic attacks weren’t really a thing. I wasn’t understood. So, why did I not go down the path that some of the survivors did, including alcoholism and suicide? And, Grayson Murray was a Christian. I am a Christian. Why did he still battle, and why do I still battle anxiety?I think the bottom line is this:We have amazing treatments for heart disease. People still die.We have new treatments for cancer. People still die.With all the mental health treatments available now and to come, people will still struggle and people will still die. It breaks my hearth.I was thinking deeper about that question, why didn’t I go down a worse path? For me, it was and is so many things:-My relationship with Jesus-My family & friends-Allowing myself to fail and to talk about it. Saying out loud, Oh gosh I messed that one up and realizing I am not perfect!-Continuing to learn and grown-Counseling-Medication for seasons in my lifeAs we end Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage you on 2 fronts:1. NEVER LET ANYONE SHAME YOU INTO NOT GETTING HELP IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING!2. Get trained in Mental Health First Aid. It truly changed how I view and interact with those who are struggling. I have 2 virtual classes coming up. Link with dates is in show notes which post by 7 AM CST 5/29/24.If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Welcome to week 4 of Mental Health Awareness Month! Today is a bit different as I'm simply going to share a very personal story with you about my epiphanies about bullying, my bully, forgiveness, and more! Show notes post by 7 am CST 5/22/24.Thanks for joining!*Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on our experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, week 3, we're diving into another crucial aspect of mental wellbeing: Celebration! This week I'm using more recommended resources from the National Council for Mental Well-being, the organization that sponsors the Mental Health First Aid course. You may know I am passionate about teaching that class! But I'm also diving a bit deeper with 4 suggestions of my own: 1.Decide if you want to want to actively participate in creating positive awareness for mental health.2.If no, that’s ok, but maybe don’t actively create NEGATIVE awareness 😊 3.If yes, what does that look like to you? a.Sharing your story?b.Being an advocate?c.Actively promoting?d.Speaking against stigma?4.Remember that mental health and wellbeing is NOT mental illness! Some of us have battled mental illness, but ALL of us have battled mental wellbeing. Thanks for joining! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-awareness-month-part-iii-celebrate-wellbeing.**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General ResourcesNational Alliance of Mental Illness: www.nami.orgMental Health America: mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: www.aa.org/Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health ExpertDr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, week 2, we're diving into a crucial topic: Leading by example, and in particular: self-care. It's not just a buzzword; it's a vital part of maintaining our mental health. This week I'm using some recommended resources from the National Council for Mental Well-being, the organization that sponsors the Mental Health First Aid course. You may know I am passionate about teaching that class!Today, we'll explore why it’s important, how it can set an example for others, and share some practical tips on how you can incorporate self-care into your daily routine.So how can we practice self-care? Here are four strategies recommended by the National Council: 1. Activity Calendar: Use the National Council’s activity calendar for daily self-care ideas. 2. Mental Health Days: Consider taking a mental health day from work this month. It’s a chance to step away from daily stresses and do something rejuvenating.3. Relaxation Exercises: Incorporate relaxation exercises into your day. Whether it's meditation or deep breathing, these can help you stay centered. 4. Daily Relaxing Activity: Try to do something relaxing every day, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Whether it’s a walk, reading, or journaling, find what feels good for you.Thanks for joining! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-awareness-month-part-ii-lead-by-example.**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General ResourcesNational Alliance of Mental Illness: www.nami.orgMental Health America: mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: www.aa.org/Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health ExpertDr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Welcome to May - Mental Health Awareness Month! Each week this month we'll dive into practices that will help you with your mental wellbeing. This week? Meditation with Dr. FF, as she is affectionately known. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-awareness-month-part-i-meditation.Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson lives in Michigan where she does all the things writing. She is busy doing academic endeavors when she would rather be writing all about her characters and their many adventures. She spends her free time being a fabulous crazy mom to two dynamic boys and staff member to four highly demanding cats.She also likes to cook and bake and subjects her family to her many creations (most of them good!). She is blessed to have friends who support her with her endeavors.Jennifer enjoys writing urban fantasy, paranormal romance, speculative fiction and exploring all the questions starting “What if…” which allows her mind to make the mundane much more exciting. She is excitedly expanding her ever developing world and looks forward to the new adventures waiting to be written. She also had the joy of being a reviewer for AAMBC and reading some great new works of her fellow Indie authors.Jennifer has had amazing experiences book signings and meeting her fans.Jennifer has been teaching Composition, Genre writing, Creative writing, and Professional Writing at various colleges for last eight years. As well as facilitating a high energy writing group that explores peer editing and book coaching/ developmental editing on the side. With experience in teaching face to face, hybrid and online courses, she continues to push for more exciting ways to engage people in their writing.Jennifer is completing her doctorate in which she looks are Digital Rhetoric and Professional Writing and practices of editing and publishing. She presents at conferences and enjoys speaking engagements.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General ResourcesNational Alliance of Mental Illness: www.nami.orgMental Health America: mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: www.aa.org/Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health ExpertDr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Last Wednesday I had 2 events on the same day (Listen to the full story.) While getting out of the car at my 2nd event, I fell and face-planted on the asphalt in the parking lot. The lesson that applies to our time today?The event was a women’s workshop sponsored by the White House Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s in my hometown, so I know the leaders – 3 wonderful women! Tim was with me, and a few minutes after the fall (I still wasn’t off the ground yet!), two of them came outside, gently helped me up, walked with me, brought me a seat and ice pack, and stayed with me until I was ready to go compose myself.WOMEN AND RELATIONSHIPS!! Such an important topic!Let’s do the same format today for our last week of Stress Awareness Month. First, revisit the Stress in America Report. Second, look deeper at the research. Next, my successes and mistakes. And, finally, tips. Here we go! (All links in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-4-women-relationships)From Stress in America 2023 report (Link in first episode at ):-Women were also more likely than men to cite family responsibilities (58% vs. 52%) and relationships (49% vs. 44%) as key stressors in their lives.Then I wondered, how is this different from family responsibilities? So I looked at the questions asked in the survey. I searched for the word relationships.Here’s what I found:1. What causes you stress: Relationships (e.g., spouse, kids, girl/boyfriend)2. How many people can you talk to about what’s happening in your life (e.g., stress, relationships, etc.)? Please provide your best estimate.That’s all. The deeper dive here didn’t give me much. I also referenced what a few of the women in my study said about women (The Stress Club, pp. 90-91)Here’s a few (see show notes)So I decided to make some inferences. If it’s not about family responsibility (housework, shopping, cooking, laundry, home maintenance, child-care, etc.), it might be issues in the relationships:· Communication· Worry· Conflict· Money· Blended familiesAnd in those areas, I have done some things well, and others not so much:Successes:· Scripting and PowerPhrases· Therapy· Allowing my grown children to be grown· ApologizingMistakes:· Excessive anger· Unrealistic expectations· Focusing too much on my needs· Incorrect assumptionsSo let's get to the tips. I LOVED this article and, for the brief time we have together, I thought it was perfect: Six Tips for Building Health Relationships. Here are the 6, but please listen and read the article for more info!1. Learn about yourself2. Give the relationship time and energy3. Develop AND honor boundaries4. Talk and Listen with respect5. Let go of what you can’t control6. Take time to reflect and growThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
In today's episode, we'll explore the intricate relationship between women, at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-iii-money. Personal Reflections on MoneyGrowing up with financial instability can leave a lasting impact. Here are some reflections on how a poor understanding of money can affect decisions and stress levels:- My childhood in poverty taught me that money was something to be spent immediately.- I witnessed a cycle of poverty when $50,000 was received and quickly dissipated on fast food, small trips, and material things.Understanding PovertyWe'll delve into Dr. Ruby Payne's book, "A Framework for Understanding Poverty," which provides invaluable insights into the mindset shaped by economic struggles.Stress and Finances: A Gendered Issue- We revisit the "Stress in America Report" to discuss how, while finances are a top stressor, they often remain an undiscussed topic.- Only 52% of adults are comfortable discussing money, and 45% feel embarrassed by it.- Women, in particular, feel more consumed by financial worries than men, with a significant number stressing over essentials and unexpected expenses.My Financial JourneyI'll share my personal financial highs and lows, hoping to offer both cautionary tales and strategies for success. Successes:- Employment from the age of 16.- Purchased a car independently at 17.- Initiated a money market and IRA in my first marriage.- Paid off debt using the envelope method as a single mom.- Utilized government assistance during a transitional phase.Mistakes:- Financed unnecessary items in my first marriage.- Financial crises- Halted IRA contributions post-divorce.- Did not save for my children's education.- Allowed worry to prevent action.Practical Tips to Minimize Financial Stress (From Women are Stressed About Money)To conclude, we'll discuss three crucial steps you can take to reduce financial stress:1. Save for emergencies to cushion against unforeseen expenses.2. Save for retirement to secure your future.3. Plan and think ahead, especially for significant life events.Understanding and managing money is crucial, especially for women who may experience greater financial stress. Let's reflect on our relationship with money and take proactive steps to secure our financial well-being.I hope this has been helpful today, and thank you for joining! As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. And until next time, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/
Recently I listened to a stress management podcast. I really liked her style and her content. It was odd, but there was one thing she said that struck me as she spoke about journaling: When we put our worries onto paper, it moves them from the emotions center to the thinking center. And then she moved on.I thought, "I’ve given advice like that before. And moved on."What I found myself wanting was examples. Stories. What did it look like when YOU did that? What worked? What didn’t?That’s what we’re doing today.First, I dug into that Stress in America report we discussed last week (click here to listen to that episode). I thought what do people need? What are they struggling with? As you may expect, the numbers were worse for women than for men, so I decided to go that direction for the next 3 weeks. Even though I’m targeting women here, the stories and advice transcend gender in many areas.Next I looked at the top I for women, according to the report. They were:58% family responsibilities50% consumed by worries regarding money49% relationshipsSo that’s where we’re going. Today, we’ll talk about family. Next week money. The final week, relationshipsNext, I did some specific research and have 4 recent studies to share with you (Link and info in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-ii-family-responsibilities)So women want/need help! But what experience do I have to talk to you about family responsibilities? Here's a bit of my background:· 3 biological children born 1988-1992· Had my 1st son when my 1st husband was in the military. We were in Wichita, KS with no support whatsoever and my son was a very colicky baby.· I was in a psychiatric hospital when they were 2,4,6· Single mom of those 3 from 1998-2003· Got my master’s degree during that time· Gained 5 stepchildren in 2003· Traveled while 5 of the 8 still lived at home· Took care of my mentally ill mother with dementia while traveling· Cared for my father with Alzheimer’sDid I do a great job during these seasons? Let's evaluate 😁What I did poorly· Yelled. A lot apparently· Never said no or asked for help· Expected myself and others to be perfect· Put too much on my plate· Had unrealistic expectations· Had buried AND apparent resentment and anger· Saw my family as extra to my life (I’ll explain in a bit)Finally, here's what I did wellI GOT HELP!Help has lots of different outfits: · Got a therapist when I got divorced. · Let my family help. · Took on a new view of family. · I learned by accident. · I matured.I’m hoping that by laying the groundwork, showing you what it looks like, and not just saying do it, that you’ll be likely to try something. So, here are the 5 things I encourage you to do:· Get professional help: EAP, counselor, live, online· ASK for help – family & friends.· Adjust your view of family, and make smart choices· Learn on purpose· Be patient as seasons changesLove and Hugs! All links in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-ii-family-responsibilities.**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of these resources or one in your area:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
How embarrassing that I had no idea April is National Stress Awareness Month. Of course, I’m not a fan of the word, but I am a fan of helping people deal with this concept we call stress.I was walking Charlies this morning, thinking Oh I’ll just do 4 sessions about stress, that’s what I do, that’ll be easy! But it wasn’t. I’ve been speaking about stress for about 20 years, and today I felt a real burden to try a different approach.Today, Part I, isn’t about giving advice. Instead, it truly is about developing awareness and finding out where you are in your life. As I read the 2023 Stress in America report, this passage broke my hear:Around three in five adults (61%) said people around them just expect them to get over their stress. Nearly half (47%) said they wish they had someone to help them manage their stress. Some adults (36%) said they don’t know where to start when it comes to managing their stress, and a third (33%) said they feel completely stressed out no matter what they do to manage their stress. In fact, two-thirds of adults (66%) said that, in the last 12 months, they could have used more emotional support than they received, and around a quarter (26%) cited the need for a lot more support. More than two in five adults (44%) said they don’t feel anyone understands what they are going through, and more than half (52%) said they wish they had someone to turn to for advice and/or support.People feel lonely. Misunderstood. Helpless. Lost.So today isn’t bullet points or 3 steps or any other step-by-step formula. It’s about me sharing my heart and, hopefully, you opening yours! Take a listen and let me know how I can help you! All links in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-part-i-developing-awareness.Thanks for joining!*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on our experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: www.nami.orgMental Health America: mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: www.aa.org/Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health ExpertDr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.Connect with me:www.tamiwest.com/facebook.com/tamiwestseminarswww.linkedin.com/in/tamiwest/tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Today, I have a strongly worded message for my pal, Perfectionism:Get out of my life.... today!!! I hope you have the same message. I didn't realize until recently that it has been rearing it's ugly head in my life again, and I will not continue to allow that! Today we'll talk about causes of perfectionism, the vicious cycle, and what to do for more peace.Do You Battle Perfectionism?· Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough?· Do you often put off turning in papers or projects, waiting to get them just right?· Do you feel you must give more than 100 percent on everything you do or else you will be mediocre or even a failure?Causes of Perfectionism· Fear of failure. · Fear of making mistakes. · Fear of disapproval. · All-or-none thinking. · Overemphasis on “should's.” · Believing that others are easily successful. The Vicious Cycle of Perfectionism (See diagram in show notes https://www.tamiwest.com/post/goodbye_perfectionism)So what's the cycle. First, perfectionists set unreachable goals. Second, they fail to meet these goals because the goals were impossible to begin with. Failure to reach them was thus inevitable. Third, the constant pressure to achieve perfection and the inevitable chronic failure reduce productivity and effectiveness. Fourth, this cycle leads perfectionists to be self-critical and self-blaming which results in lower self-esteem. It may also lead to anxiety and depression. “This time if only I try harder I will succeed.” Such thinking sets the entire cycle in motion again. Instead, try Healthy Striving Healthy strivers take pleasure in the process of pursuing the task at hand rather than focusing only on the end result. What to do About Perfectionism· Set realistic and reachable goals based on your own wants and needs and what you have accomplished in the past. · Set subsequent goals in a sequential manner. · Experiment with your standards for success. · Focus on the process of doing an activity not just on the end result. · Use feelings of anxiety and depression as opportunities to ask yourself, “Have I set up impossible expectations for myself in this situation?”· Confront the fears that may be behind your perfectionism by asking yourself, “What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing that could happen?”· Recognize that many positive things can only be learned by making mistakes. When you make a mistake ask,· “What can I learn from this experience?” More specifically, think of a recent mistake you have made and list all the things you can learn from it.· Avoid all-or-none thinking in relation to your goals. This will take time, but you can do it! And so can I.Thanks for joining!*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on our experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/facebook.com/tamiwestseminars https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamiwest/ tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Let's start by defining the word guilt:AI definition: Guilt is an emotional state characterized by feelings of responsibility or remorse for having committed a wrongdoing or for failing to meet a certain standard of behavior, often accompanied by a sense of regret or self-blame. Dictionary.com definition: the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.So, in my summary, the word guilt is defined as you are responsible for having done something wrong. I am big on the power of visualization, so I suggest that you visualize yourself in a courtroom, you’re sitting in the chair and the jury is trying to determine your guilt over an issue. And it makes sense to visualize yourself in that court of law because the word guilt is so closely associated with trials. Let’s use an example here. Let’s say that you have a job and you’re working with a team doing a project. You finish your part of the project and you hand it over to one of your teammates, and you realize before you do that that you’ve made a mistake. But it’s just a small mathematical error, it would take you forever to fix it, and so you don’t fix it. You hand it over to your teammate, she finishes it, turns it n to your boss, your boss catches the mistake, blames your friend, and you say nothing. You go home, pick up the phone and call your friend Sue. And you say “Sue, I made this mistake today and my teammate got blamed and I didn’t speak up and now I kind of...” what would you say, “feel guilty.” We say it all the time, right? I kind of feel guilty. Well, that’s a phrase you need to get rid of. You need to throw that out forever because it doesn’t make sense to say I feel guilty because either you are or you’re not. Now I know if I were you, I would be sitting there thinking, “Well yeah, but that’s pretty cut and dry. But what about the other things I’ve put on my list, like not spending time with my children or not calling my mother or whatever it is. Those aren’t so cut and dry.” We’ll come back to those in just a minute. When I call my friend Sue and I say “I kind of feel guilty,” what am I looking for Sue to do? I want her to make me feel better. I want her to make my guilt go away. Now its not that I’m trying to be irresponsible or shirk my responsibility. Freud gave it a name; he called it the pleasure principle. And he says we don’t want to feel emotional pain in our souls and we’ll do whatever we need to do to get rid of it. And so what I’m asking Sue to do is to take away my emotional pain and I want her to say “Oh, it’s ok, you didn’t mean to.” That’s what I want her to say. Now, contrast this, how does it seem different if I call my friend Sue and I say “Sue, I’m guilty of not speaking up when I made a mistake and someone else got in trouble for it.” Do you see how that sounds different? I am guilty of. Let's take the phrase I feel guilty and throw it away and replace it with I am guilty of. On the other hand, what if you’re not guilty? (Show notes for more at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/goodbyeguilt)Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome back to the second part of our series on debunking the myth of having "no time" and delving into the essential aspect of self-care. In Part I (go to show notes to find link for part I at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mythofnotimeii), we threw boulders at the common notion that time is an elusive entity, demonstrating how it's more about priorities than scarcity. Now, in Part II, we delve deeper into practical strategies for nurturing yourself even if the world tells you not to!As we navigate the demands of work, family, and personal aspirations, it's crucial to recognize what steals our time and joy. From the subtle pressure of societal expectations to the internal dialogue that guilts us out of self-care, various factors can hinder our well-being. However, armed with awareness and actionable steps, we can reclaim our time and prioritize self-care without guilt or compromise.Whether you have three minutes or thirty, there are strategies tailored to fit into your busy schedule and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Let's embark on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment together.Tami’s Top 81. Admit your limitations. 2. NO Guilt if you take time for yourself – could turn in to victim mentality (Link to my YouTube Guilt video)3. Adjust your view of work4. Plan, or have a time management tool5. Avoid anger and resentment at others6. Find a mentor 7. Ask yourself, What do I want out of my life? Do I actually want some time and some joy?8. Avoid the comparison trap.From APA Article (see show notes for link)1. Make personal and professional self-care a priority.2. Honestly assess your psychological and physical health. Focus on prevention rather than simply on remedying problems.3. Find time for activities that are personally restorative.4. Avoid isolation. Identify sources of social support and use them. 5.Establish and maintain professional connections that offer an opportunity to discuss the specific nature and stressors of your work. 6. Take occupational risks seriously, and be aware of the particular risks facing practicing psychologists.7.Develop realistic and reasonable expectations about work and your capabilities at any given time. 8. Pay attention to the need for balance in work, rest and play. 9.Pursue opportunities for intellectual stimulation, including some outside the profession. 10.Take steps to enhance your career satisfaction.From AI: Here are 10 self-care activities you can do in under five minutes to help rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul:1. Deep Breathing Exercises2. Stretching3. Gratitude Journaling4. Hydration5. Mindful Snacking6. Listening to Music7. Aromatherapy8. Quick Meditation9. Digital Detox10. AffirmationsHere are 10 self-care activities you can do in under 30 minutes to help rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul:1. Taking a Relaxing Bath2. Reading3. Nature Walk4. Yoga or Pilates5. Creative Arts6. Cooking a Healthy Meal7. Meditation or Mindfulness Practice8. Home Spa Treatments9. Exercise10. JournalingAs we close this chapter on time and self-care, remember: your well-being matters! You deserve to have joy! Embrace each moment, prioritize yourself, and find joy in the journey. You're stronger than you know. Keep shining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Show notes post by 7 am CST 03/13/24Thanks for joining today! Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Welcome in! Part I will cover why it’s a myth and Part II, how to better take care of yourself.This all started with a “remodel” of my guest bathroom (story in episode!)Let’s get this out-of-the-way: if you have a new baby, a new job, you’re in school, a single parent, taking care of an elderly parent, etc. your time is definitely more limited! Today we'll do a couple of things: First, we'll talk about how Americans are using their time. Then I'll share 3 different approaches to why we often say we don't have enough time for self-care: 1) AI-generated, 2) APA Article (link at end of show notes), 3)Tami's take 😁Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/themythofnotime.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/
Welcome back, friends! This is our final episode of the Developing Emotional Maturity series, and I hope it’s been helpful to you. Thank you all for commenting and helping me choose the new CYH 2024 logo. I personally love it and the graphic designer is super talented! I hope you like the new opening as well. Now, onward!Week 1, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest, as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to that episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool to help you gauge where you're at on this path. Link in show notes.The next week we dove into the first 3: self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. I gave you 10 tips for each of these, and the link to that episode and the tip sheets – you know – in the show notes 😊Last week we dove into 3 more hallmarks of emotional maturity: responsibility, adaptability, and resilience. I gave you 10 tips for each of those - and the link to that episode and the tip sheets are in the show notes.Today we’re finishing up with the final four: effective communication, conflict resolution, realistic optimism, and healthy relationships. As always, sit back, relax, grab your coffee and let’s grow!Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiv.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/
Welcome back, fellow Hug Seekers! I hope February has been great for you.In this series, first we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool from the show notes to help you gauge where you're at on this path.Next, in Part II we talked about the 1st 3 hallmarks. Join me today as I dive into next first three hallmarks of emotional maturity. So, grab your notebook, or coffee or just settle in as we explore these transformative qualities together.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiii.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/
Welcome back, friends! Happy Day before Valentine’s Day! I hope February has been great for you.Last week, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest, not just in the context of Valentine's Day but as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool from the show notes to help you gauge where you're at on this path.I’ve been thinking more about this and why it’s important to me, and I realize it’s because for most of my entire life I was the OPPOSITE of emotional maturity.Join me today as I deep into the first three hallmarks of emotional maturity. So, grab your notebook, or coffee or just settle in as we explore these transformative qualities together.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiiThanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/
My desire to delve into emotional maturity was actually sparked by a recent incident that brought to light the importance of understanding and managing our emotions. This incident reminded me of the complexities of our emotional responses and the impact they have on our interactions. Emotional maturity, a topic I realized I hadn't explored in depth for some time, is crucial for navigating life's ups and downs. It involves understanding our feelings, how we express them, and how we relate to others. Reflecting on my own growth since that incident, I recognize the shift in my emotional responses. Where once I might have reacted with frustration or confusion, I now approach such situations with empathy and a deeper understanding of the underlying struggles.This journey towards emotional maturity is ongoing and deeply personal. It's about developing self-awareness, learning to regulate our emotions, and improving our interactions with others. I hope you’ll join me for a few weeks to explore the crazy world of emotions! We’ll start with a self-assessment (you can download from show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotional-maturity-part-i) and then dive in to 10 hallmarks of emotional maturity. As a preview, here they are: 1. Self-Awareness: It all starts with the man or woman in the mirror. Knowing your emotional ins and outs, what ticks you off, what makes you tick, and how you ripple into the world around you.2. Self-Regulation: Ever felt like a soda can, shaken and ready to burst? We'll talk about keeping the lid on, not by bottling things up, but by managing reactions in a way that serves us better.3. Empathy: Walking a mile in someone else's shoes, feeling their joy, their pain, without judgment or agenda. It's about connection, understanding, and sometimes, just being there.4. Responsibility: Owning up to our part in life's play, not in a blame-game way, but with a mature acceptance of our role in the events and outcomes of our lives.5. Adaptability: Life's a dance, and the music changes often. We'll explore how to sway with grace, pivot with purpose, and maybe even enjoy the rhythm changes.6. Resilience: When life knocks us down, do we bounce back or crack? We're talking about cultivating a bounce-back spirit that sees setbacks as setups for comebacks.7. Effective Communication: Ever lost in translation, even in your native tongue? We're diving into how to express what's really going on inside, in a way that's heard, understood, and respected.8. Conflict Resolution: Not every disagreement needs to end in a duel. Sometimes, it's about finding common ground, agreeing to disagree, or even turning conflicts into opportunities for growth.9. Realistic Optimism: Keeping hope alive without living in La La Land. We're balancing dreams with reality, positivity with pragmatism.10. Healthy Relationships: The people we surround ourselves with can lift us up or weigh us down. We'll look at nurturing bonds that are enriching, energizing, and genuinely reciprocal.I’ll share insights, experiences, and strategies for fostering emotional growth, all aimed at helping you navigate life with greater resilience and understanding!OK let’s go! Together, let's embark on this exploration, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our journey towards emotional maturity.Thanks for joining! Find the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotional-maturity-part-i**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Connect with me: https://www.tamiwest.com/ Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars email me tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Hello, everyone! First, I want to start with a heartfelt thank you. Your kindness has been a beacon during my recovery, and I'm pleased to say I'm doing well – the stitches are out, and my head is clear, all thanks to your well-wishes!Our AI Adventure: In this special episode, my son Jamie and I share the evolution of our work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a journey that's as personal as it is professional. We're not just mother and son; we're collaborators on a mission to demystify AI and make it accessible to everyone.First, The Birth of "Still Human AI Workshops":Our conversations have been filled with excitement and ideas that led us to create the "Still Human AI Workshops". This is our way of building a bridge between humans and technology through a subscription-based Patreon community. See show notes for more information.Exclusive Content: Monthly live Zoom webinars, a private Discord group, and a resource archive – it's all part of the package.Building Community: We aim to cultivate a space where everyone feels welcome to learn, discuss, and grow in their understanding of AI.Second, AI Lunch & Learns:Alongside our workshops, we're hosting free AI Lunch & Learn sessions every third Friday of the month – a snapshot of AI's potential in a concise, one-hour format.Personalizing AI:Jamie's enthusiasm is infectious as he talks about the personal side of AI – how it can help plan a special recipe or enrich family moments. AI isn't just about efficiency; it's about enriching our lives with attention to the details that matter. Click here to register.Journey to This Moment:The road here has been filled with learning and experimentation. Three years ago, Jamie started an AI company, and it's transformed just as much as the industry itself. From tackling politics to navigating the pandemic's challenges, his company's growth parallels our growing fascination and expertise with AI.Bottom Line - here are the 2 options:For Subscribers: First Friday of every month, 12-1 PM CST – where the magic happens with extended Q&A and hands-on learning. See show notes for more informationOpen to All: Third Friday of every month, 12-1 PM CST – an overview of AI in digestible bites. See show notes for more information.Our Vision:We're here to reassure you that AI doesn't have to be daunting. As I reflect on my own path with AI, which began with a creative project for my husband's 60th birthday, I realize how much these tools have to offer. They're here to assist, to inspire, and to connect us in ways we're just beginning to understand.Join us on this enlightening journey into the world of AI. Whether through our "Still Human AI Workshops" or the AI Lunch & Learns, we promise to guide you with a gentle hand and an open heart ❤️*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources here: Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/embracingai
Hi friends and welcome to the notes for my first Facebook Live/Podcast/YouTube of 2024. Happy New Year!! Michelle and Gracie will be joining me from time to time as guests host, so you'll see a few more changes to graphics, etc. a bit down the road. I'm going to share 8 of those lessons - some longer than others. Here’s a summary, and be sure to listen to hear more details! 1. The Importance of Presence and MindfulnessAccidents often occur when we’re distracted. Being more present in our surroundings can help prevent such incidents.2. The Vulnerability of HealthHealth can be taken for granted. An accident like this serves as a reminder of how quickly our situation can change and the importance of health insurance and emergency plans.3. The Significance of Self-Care After an injury, taking the time to properly heal and not rushing recovery is crucial for long-term well-being.4. The Role of Emotional ResilienceFacing a sudden and painful event tests our emotional resilience. Discuss how to cope with such events and the importance of seeking support.5. The Need for Physical Safety in the HomeThis incident could lead to a discussion about pet-proofing the home and making the environment safer to prevent falls and injuries.6. The Importance of Emergency PreparednessKnowing what to do in case of an emergency, from first aid to having emergency contacts in place, can make a significant difference.7. The Benefit of Humor and PositivityMaintaining a sense of humor and a positive outlook, even when dealing with pain and setbacks, can positively affect mental health and recovery.8. The Value of Community and Support SystemsDon’t be afraid to reach out for help from friends, family, or professional services when dealing with the aftermath of an accident.Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Connect with me: https://www.tamiwest.com/ Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars email me tamiwest@tamiwest.com
Join us today as Michelle shares a personal story of being with her sister in the ER and then guides us in a conversation centered on finding comfort. This is our last episode of the season, so be sure to stay in touch!What gives you comfort in difficult situations?· Humor!· Having people around you· Having someone ask you what you need or if you need help.· Warmth: blankets, holding warm beverages like hot chocolate, heating pad, being swaddled.· Beautiful spaces· Mindfulness/meditation· Exercise· Food · Sharing a meal with someone· Therapeutic uncomfortable silence 😊· Be present when others need us· Connecting to something greater· Being accepting of people where they are· Be comfortable being uncomfortableComfort Theory: Any type of healing can be enhanced by comfort. The comfort domains are:· Physical· Sociocultural· Psychospiritual· Environmental On the flip side, comfort can be frowned upon. For example the belief that Comfort is the enemy of progress. This can be used in physical training like Cross-fit. Let’s look at it this way: You can’t feel physical comfort while you are building yourself physically, but you can feel comfort emotionally/mentally while going through difficult situations.How much of our comfort is related to safety? Today's Links:The Green Sweater Grief episode: https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-88-thanksgiving-grief-covid-and-the-jacuzzi-turkey
Join us today as Gracie guides us in a discussion about the differences between toxic positivity and healthy positive attitude. We all want good outcomes in our relationships and interactions, but sometimes “good” doesn’t necessarily mean comfortable. And sometimes “comfortable” isn’t healthy. Being aware and purposeful about our motivations, intentions, and having a good understanding of our feelings, can result in a deeper examination and understanding of our wants, needs, and appropriate boundaries. Using that information to look at our personal patterns in those relationships and interactions allows us to make and maintain healthy dynamics!The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: https://www.aa.org/
Join us today as Christian Woods helps us understand what self-sabotage is and how to overcome it. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Join us today to hear her story of how she changed her life! (Complete show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/self-sabotage-with-christina-woods). Highlights: Tell yourself a better lieSelf-sabotage is grounded in I’m not enough-ness.What can self-sabotage look like:1. Procrastination2. Sleep3. Dating people that don’t treat us well4. Poor health choices5. How we spend/don’t spend $6. Words we say to ourselvesHow to overcome:1. Find out your limiting beliefs2. Reframe and rewire themAbout Christina Woods, CEO | Founder Woods Hypnotherapy & CoachingWebsite: https://www.wisewoods.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewoodshypnotherapy/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.woodsvaronFree Giveaway/To grab a free Downloadable Limitless Hypno-Meditation: https://www.wisewoods.com/freebies Book a Free Clarity Call with Christina: https://bookchristinartt.as.me/freeexploratorycallWebsite | Facebook | InstagramJoin my Private Facebook Group Here!Download Your Free Limitless Mind & Spirit Hypno-Meditation!*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.
So how did this episode come about? In August, I did a week long professional development for teachers out in Houston about mental health. When one of the teachers left, she said, “Hey, do you have any podcast episodes about the effects of our mental health as parents on our children?” I said no and then thought, Oh, that would be great. I asked my counselor. I said, “Hey, I think I'm going to do a podcast episode where I asked my kids how my mental health affected them growing up, what do you think?” And she said, “No!” What she meant was I was basically saying, “Hey, tell me what a terrible parent I was when you were growing up?” Then she had a couple of suggestions, which were really good. It was Jamie, who actually said, “Why don't we just talk about what it's like to be part of a family where we have all struggles?” So that’s what we did. My hope and prayer on this World Mental Health Day is that this will inspire you. We all have a past. We all have struggles. I hope that you will seek help when you need it, forgive when you can, and be a part of creating a world in which mental health is no longer stigmatized. Thank you for joining my family chat! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/familymentalhealthchallenges
Join us today as we chat with EFT Master Practitioner and Hypnotherapist, Theresa Levine. Theresa's battles with past traumas, high-functioning anxiety, and ADHD trapped her in a recurring groundhog day of dis-ease, distraction, and dissatisfaction. A transformative pivot came when exhaustion, insomnia, and the struggle to be present in her own abundantly blessed life broke her down. She is inspiring, knowledgable and ready to help you work on the blocks in your life! Show notes will post by 7 am CST 10/4/23.
The issue of the day: Do you judge others, and pertaining to what issues? Laziness? Procrastination? Thinking they know everything?They don't care? Stuck-up?So, many times we judge and then we talk about it. Why? Today, Tami guides us through a discussion about why we judge and how to manage it, including compassion and emotional maturity.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/judgingothers-1.
1 in 6 people worldwide, and 1 in 5 in the USA experience infertility. 1/3 is due to female issues, 1/3 is due to male issues, and 1/3 is due to both and unknown infertility issues. Join us today as Amber Stuehser shares her story of the highs and lows dealing with infertility. She'll share her heart and provide some valuable information! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/infertility
Last week we chatted about the emotions elicited by the recent Publix commercial about blended families. I still watch it the entire way through every time it comes on! Today, I'll share with you 7 tips from a recent article posted by the Gottman Institute. I'll throw in my successes and not successes and encourage those of you who are in these families that have their own unique challenges. Thanks for joining! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/seven-tips-for-blended-families.
Today, it's just me having a short chat with you! This Publix commercial has aired over and over and each time I watch the entire thing! I figured it touched others as well, so join me today and let's examine just a bit.
Show notes post by 7 am CST 9/6/23
Join us today as Michelle leads us in Part II in a conversation about drama! Do you experience it from yourself or others? How do you define it? Is it different for men vs women? For Part II, we'll talk about Jason Aldean's controversial video. t. Enjoy - Once again, Michelle does an awesome job! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/dramapart2.
Join us today as Michelle leads us in a conversation about drama! Do you experience it from yourself or others? How do you define it? Is it different for men vs women? For Part I, we'll look at a video clip of Miranda Lambert's concert. Enjoy - Michelle does an awesome job! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/drama
Join us today for Gracie's discussion of what we can do to create healthy systems. Whether family, work or community, creating a healthy system, allows the people who join to see that as their default! Listen and find out how!
Show notes post by 7 am CST 8/8/23.
The last couple of weeks we have discussed problems and solutions. But what if we view problems through the lens of interpretation?
Join us today as Gracie leads us in a discussion centered on difficult situations and how we view them.
Show notes post by 7am CST 8/2/23
Join us today as Gracie leads us further in a discussion centered on uncovering hidden problems in life AND working towards solutions for those problems. Topics include conflict avoidance, people pleasing, depression, being stuck in old habits, and negativity.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/problemssolutionspartii
Join us today as Gracie leads us in a discussion centered on uncovering hidden problems in life AND working towards solutions for those problems. Topics include conflict avoidance, people pleasing, depression, being stuck in old habits, and negativity.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/identifyproblemsandsolutionsparti
Join us today as we chat with a woman who's as inspirational as they come! Shelly is a congenital amputee and has spent decades spent, the last 15 years speaking to politicians, disability organizations, corporations, and film producers on ways to provide and improve upon inclusivity within society. Through her leadership, she designs teaching simulations and presentations to identify gaps in services and best practices. As the founder of Inclusive Consulting, she connects others, curates learning, and celebrates diversity.
Among other topics, Shelly helps us with:
- Why is standing up for ourselves important? She shares her story of how others responded to her when she was 6 months pregnant.
- Why is the language we use and society uses towards us important?
- What needs to change?
- How can we make that happen?
- The most important words we tell ourselves
Show notes with Shelly's info will post by 7 am CST Wednesday 7/12/23.
Join us today as we finish our discussion of this wonderful tool to assess your current mental well-being. The MHQ is: "a snapshot of your self-perception along various dimensions of mental function that determine your mental wellbeing. It is not a measure of happiness or life satisfaction. You could, for example, be experiencing very difficult or sad circumstances in your life but nonetheless have all the capabilities to cope as best as one could, and therefore have a high level of mental wellbeing."
Part I was an overview, so be sure to start there. Part II delved into the first 2 of the 6 subcategories: Mood & Outlook and Social Self. Today, we finish the last 4 categories. You'll finish with SO many ideas, so be sure to listen and visit the show notes for all of the resources.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/your-mental-health-quotient-part-iii
Join us today as we continue discussing this wonderful tool to assess your current mental well-being. The MHQ is: "a snapshot of your self-perception along various dimensions of mental function that determine your mental wellbeing. It is not a measure of happiness or life satisfaction. You could, for example, be experiencing very difficult or sad circumstances in your life but nonetheless have all the capabilities to cope as best as one could, and therefore have a high level of mental wellbeing."
Part I was an overview, so be sure to start there. Part II will delve into the first 2 of the 6 subcategories: Mood & Outlook and Social Self. Lots of great advice so be sure to tune in!
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/your-mental-health-quotient-part-ii
Join us today as we present a wonderful tool to assess your current mental well-being. The MHQ is: "a snapshot of your self-perception along various dimensions of mental function that determine your mental wellbeing. It is not a measure of happiness or life satisfaction. You could, for example, be experiencing very difficult or sad circumstances in your life but nonetheless have all the capabilities to cope as best as one could, and therefore have a high level of mental wellbeing."
Part I will be an overview. Parts II and III will delve more deeply into the score and into each of 6 subcategories.
Show notes will post by Wednesday 6/21/23 7 am CST.
Welcome to Part 2 of Healing and the ACE's Survey. Make sure you listen to part 1 if you haven't already.
Adverse Childhood Experiences can impact both physical and mental health throughout the entirety of life without intervention.
Join us today as Tami, Gracey and Michelle take an inventory of the ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) in their own lives and the lives of their parents to investigate how those things may be affecting them today.
We will then talk about the path to healing and the ways in which we as a community of women can support one another.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/healingandacespart2
*Disclaimer: The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on our experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.
Adverse Childhood Experiences can impact both physical and mental health throughout the entirety of life without intervention.
Join us today as Tami, Gracey and Michelle take an inventory of the ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) in their own lives and the lives of their parents to investigate how those things may be affecting them today.
We will then talk about the path to healing and the ways in which we as a community of women can support one another.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/healingandaces
Today we're discussing the "If you are ok, I’m Ok" narrative and the impact on mental health. A couple of teasers: -Codependency definition: Being the caretaker of other’s emotion. This often occurs for your own sense of peace just as much as theirs. “If you are ok then I am ok”-Many of us were born as caretakers but boundaries are essential in maintaining our own mental health while caring for others. Join us for a great conversation! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/codependency.
A mental health diagnosis of any kind can leave us feeling alone, afraid, and lost. In today’s show we talk about coming together for one another and realizing we are never alone in our struggles. Mental Health Statistics per Mental Health America50 million Americans live with mental illness in the US21 million adults live with Major Depressive Disorder in the US3.3 million adults live with Bipolar Disorder19 million Americans live with a substance use disorder42.5 million Americans live with an anxiety disorder12 million adults live with PTSD1.5 million Americans live with SchizophreniaThis isn’t even including diagnosis such as eating disorders, OCD and ADHD. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR STRUGGLE A diagnosis is a starting point, a pathway to understanding a struggle better. It does not define you. Listen as we share more!Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/living-with-a-diagnosis.
I made an executive decision: This will be the last CYH episode until the end of May. My world is full recently, and I want to devote plenty of time to my new co-hosts before we jump in with our first episode. We will spend April and part of May recording and then jump back in the end of May. I'm very excited about the future, and thank you for being on the journey with me! Now, onward...On Monday, March 27th, three children & three adults were shot and killed at the Covenant School here in Nashville. Last week, Michelle Kixmiller and I did an episode on talking to your children after tragedy. Since then, the shooting has been on my mind often, and of course our local news has covered it extensively. I keep asking myself if there's anything I (we!) can do to be a part of prevention.I believe there is, so please join me today as we have a chat about this difficult topic.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/prevent-school-shootings
On Monday, March 27th, three children & three adults were shot and killed at the Covenant School here in Nashville, TN. How do you talk about a tragedy like this with a child? How do you support and reassure them? And how do you care for yourself during this difficult time?Today, Michelle Kixmiller and I want to take a few minutes to process this with you and equip you to provide support for the young people in your world while caring for yourself too. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/when-tragedy-happens
Saturday, July 1st, 2022 I began a journey with a group of friends that has been so powerful that I wanted to share a bit of it with you. A 12-lesson bible study wound up taking about 8 months, and I'm happy it did because we learned so much from it! The Elijah Project by Andrea Polnaszek, was the basis of the study, but it went so much deeper. Please watch/listen and be inspired to go on a journey of your own! Link to the book is in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/see-yourself-as-others-see-you.
I've said it a million times: It's time for a mental health revolution! And I mean that for the church too. Today, my dear friends Michelle Kixmiller (my former co-host) and Gracey Lichtenstein bring you Part 2 of issues around the mental health conversation in the church today. Find the highlights, promised links, and links to bios on Michelle and Gracey in the show notes. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mentalhealthandthechurch2.
Have you ever considered trying something new and you were so excited until... your inner voice screamed you weren't good enough? Today you'll learn how that voice temporarily serves you, and why and how to address it in the future! Show notes post by 7 am CST 3/1/23
Today, Melissa McCormick will teach women how to have conversations that are both relational and also purposeful! She is our first guest for this season, and what a great one! About MelissaMelissa spent over thirty years navigating corporate America from entry-level to executive. She learned how to communicate and negotiate up and around the organization. Through her leadership experience she helps women crash through the glass ceiling to reach their professional goals faster. Her leadership philosophy includes five pillars: Courage, Communication, Connections, Community, and Care (self) and is based on building relationships built on trust, integrity, and ethics. She is the founder and CEO of the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy which is based on her leadership book, Grace & Salt: A Journey of Self-Discovery. To learn more and schedule a FREE discovery call, go to www.graceandsaltleadership.com and to learn more about her book, Grace & Salt go to www.graceandsaltbook.com.
I am in the process of weaning off Lexapro and 10 questions came to mind on a recent walk. I hope you'll take time today to listen to my mental health journey as you process yours. Disclaimer: This is not intended to be medication advice, judgement, criticism, or any other form of interference in your journey. It's simply some things to consider. Your individual path should be YOUR decision with proper guidance and information. Show notes post by 7 am CST 2/7/23
What's your communication style? How is it helping you and how is it holding you back? Join me today as I share a story of yard signs and how we can use the analogy for greater self awareness! Show notes with links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/warnerorwelcomer.
This morning I was watching the news here in Nashville Tennessee. Mass shootings. Car break-ins. Ukraine. The flu. It’s no news to you that this is what we are bombarded with every day. But that’s not what prompted this episode, even though it’s certainly lens credibility to the topic. Last week my son's van was broken into. The good news? He wasn’t home when it happened. He doesn’t think anything valuable was stolen.Join me today as I take you on a journey from cynical to hopeful!Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cynical.
Do you ever judge someone else or FEEl judged based on looks, competence, behaviors, etc.? We all do. Today we'll look at 2 hidden reasons for this behavior. Show notes will post by Wednesday 1/18/23 1:00 pm CST (sorry a little late today!)
Last week you might remember I promised you part two of mental health choices in 2023. I am delaying that for a couple of weeks for something more pressing. I had a health related issue this week that escalated so fast, and it smacked me in the face with this concept of being stubborn. In fact, it was my husband who used to the word, and now I have to self-reflect – ugh 😊 What does it mean to be stubborn? Cambridge dictionary defines says: A stubborn person is determined to do what he or she wants and refuses to do anything elseIs it always bad? No, but usually when we use the word it's not great. Today let's look at what it is, how it's holding you back, and how to address it. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stubbornness.
Welcome to 2023!! I hope your holidays were amazing. Do you want better mental health in 2023? Are you tired of not feeling the peace you want?Today I want to share a little bit about where I’ve been, where I am, and where I want to go in 2023. I hope you’ll be thinking along the same lines for your mental health. I also want to share a bit of history with you, which will help us to make better mental wellness decisions going forward.
I was so close to NOT recording this week! I had a difficult part of my day and decided that's the BEST time to record. So here goes - a quick uplift if the season is challenging for you.Show notes post by 7 am CST 12/21/22
Welcome to the week before Christmas! Today I'll explain why "Managing Holiday Stress" Advice Doesn't Work. It all relates to what society says is normal. Show notes post by 7 am CST 12/14/22
Welcome! A quick episode today with some encouragement for dealing with change, even when it's good!Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/when-change-comes-again
Welcome to the last day of November which, unbeknownst to me, is apparently National Gratitude Month. If you saw my post on Facebook a couple of days ago, you saw a picture of my kitty Leesi lying on my shoulder, and of course she saw the title. She loved me, then she bit me. Today, first I'll share the story, then 2 reasons why it’s hard to be grateful, and finally 3 tips on how to be grateful.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/she-loved-me-then-she-bit-me-a-lesson-on-gratitude
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Today's episode is short as I know you probably have a lot to do. I want to share how we spent an early holiday with our son and the lessons I learned.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-112-stories-and-3-tips-for-the-holidays.
Honestly I surprised myself when this topic came to mind and it just wouldn’t leave me alone. For example, my son has created a journal that dialogues with you, and this morning, the text said
"The first to apologize is the bravest, the first to forgive is the strongest, and the first to forget is the happiest." So here we are.
And there’s this phrase I think we have all heard or read or maybe even sad and it’s this “forgiving is not for the other person it’s for you.“ And while I agree with that to some degree, let’s take a broader sweep at this issue. I believe we should be as outward focused as we can without losing ourselves or being taken advantage of.
Today I'll share my story of forgiveness, chat about benefits to ourselves and others, and provide a few practical tips.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/forgive-your-parents-period.
Today we're chatting about Panic attacks vs Panic disorder as well as a few tips when you're in the middle of one, including: What to do: 1. Tell yourself IMMEDIATELY that you are not dying and this will pass. 2. Breathe! I’ll show you 3. Use a paper bag if you’re hyperventilating 4. Call someone. Michael. 5. Recognize catastrophic/global thinking. 6. Think of someone who has healed from what you’re going through 7. Repeat 8. Therapy/medication
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/panic-attack-or-panic-disorder-and-what-to-do. Thanks for joining!
Recently I have taught a ton of mental health classes. Yesterday I asked myself, "what are the most important lessons I've learned during this past month?" I came up with 5. I hope you'll spend time today learning with me!
Today I'll share those 5 and also some tips from Facebook friends.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/5-tips-you-can-use-now-for-better-mental-health.
You've heard it, right? "Let go of what you can't control." Seems simple. But for those of us who struggle with anxiety and worry, it is anything but simple.
Join me today as I talk about why that doesn't work for us and how we can work toward letting go.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/why-let-go-of-what-you-can-t-control-doesn-t-work-and-what-do-do-about-it.
I'm so happy you are here today for a discussion of Brown University's article on Perfectionism (see link in show notes).
Today, I have a strongly worded message for my pal, Perfectionism: Get out of my life.... today!!! I hope you have the same message. Today we'll talk about causes of perfectionism, the vicious cycle, and what to do for more peace.
Show notes post at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/perfectionism-get-out-of-my-life
What does World Mental Health Day mean? It's a day for us to raise awareness, recognize that it's important, try to remove the stigma, move the conversation forward, all of that, which I've been trying to do for a long, long time, most of my professional career.
So today is a good day to talk about my past, my present and my future. I would like for you to also think, about your past, your present and your future when it comes to your mental wellbeing.
Then I will share the four things that have helped me the most! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-past-present-future.
Usually I am addressing you and your mental and emotional well-being. Although this will speak to you, today I want to help you if you work alongside someone who might be struggling with their own.
I am going to approach this topic from a couple of different perspectives. First, from my own lived experience as a person with mental health issues in the workplace. Second, as a researcher.
So join me as I share stories, and then 4 ideas to make better choices and have better conversations with coworkers, employees and managers who might be struggling with mental wellness.
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-in-the-workplace-choices-and-conversations.
Disclaimer: The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.
This past Saturday, 9/17, my photographer husband Tim exhibited his photographic art at a show in TX. We drove the day before to get set up, and we discovered a completely chaotic setting. When we asked where our booth was, the response was – and I quote –
Just take the next available spot.
Now, bear in mind, there were no spots! The festival was in a mall parking lot on black asphalt lined for cars – but no markings for booths. We also discovered, despite the marketing materials, that it was in a dying mall. So, we did the best we could and set up the booth.
Saturday morning, we arrived around 8:30 am to finish the setup. It is still very unorganized, but we got everything done and waited for the grand opening at 10 – we were pumped!
And then… 10:00 arrived and no visitors. We waited. And waited. We were realizing that this didn’t seem like a “real” art show. It appeared thrown together, not marketed, and in an almost deserted parking lot.
The temperature was forecast to be around 95 degrees with a heat index of over 100. As the morning went on, the heat went up. And up. And up. Neither Tim nor I do well in temperature extremes, and he has intense outdoor allergies. We felt worse and worse as time drug on.
By 3:00 pm we had seen 5 people. Vendors started tearing down, and we had to make the tough decision to do the same.
By the time we arrived at our hotel, sorry to give you TMI, but we got 2 wet wash cloths, stripped off our clothes, turned the air on high, and lay on the sofa and bed for almost an hour. I’m certain Tim was nearing a heat stroke.
So were we quitters? Join me as I walk you through the process of deciding: quitting or quitter! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/quitting-or-quitter-what-s-the-difference.
Two weeks ago I shared a story with you about having an angry meltdown. Basically I got upset about a household “task” and I absolutely lost my mind! Venomous language poured out of me. One thing I shared was how surprised I was that it happened, and I mentioned that it freaked me out because it hadn’t happened in such a long time – not that level of anger, anyway.
Today I want to go a bit deeper about the voices in our heads and the impact they have on our mental health. Join me as I discuss these 3 voices and how to overcome them!
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-self-talk-three-destructive-voices.
What a morning!! You know one of those days when you have everything scheduled and then.... BAM - change of plans. I was going to chat with you today about negative self-talk, but now that will come next week.
This morning, I had to take my kitty Leesi for an emergency pet visit. She is home and recovering now, but I learned a valuable lesson from the experience. It doesn't have to do with her or her health, but rather the way I have been speaking about her.
Today is short, about 15 minutes, so give it a listen and let me know what you think!
Welcome back to a new season of Consider Yourself Hugged: A Place for Women!
During my entire time podcasting, I've never had this level of enthusiasm for our time together. More than ever, we need help for improved mental and emotional well-being. I pray this show will be a blessing to you, and I hope you will connect in a deeper way than you ever imagined. So.... here we go!
This past Sunday I posted on Facebook to take the day reflect on how you will handle the difficulties in the world. That’s what I’m talking about today: the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It's a tough topic, and I'm not here to voice my opinion but rather my thoughts on handling these tough topics. I hope you'll listen and reflect. I won't put much here, just a few tips I talk about in the episode:
In 2003, Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford University and started Theranos, Inc. In 2014, the company released it's first product: a lab testing process that could run 100's of tests on a single drop of blood. The only problem was, that was not the case. Read more here.
In January of 2021, Ms. Holmes was convicted of four counts of fraud. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2022, and she could face up to 20 years for each count. Read more here.
Our goal today, as before, is to dissect this story as it relates to us as women. Join us for our final episode of the season! Show notes will post by 7 am CST, 3/2/22.
On December 1, 2021, Ghislane Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and three related counts of conspiracy, and faces up to 65 years in prison. Join us today for lessons learned from this horrific situation. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/consider-yourself-hugged-episode-99-ghislane-maxwell.
In 2019, at 28 years old, Cheslie Kryst was crowned Miss USA, the oldest woman in history to win. This past Sunday 1/30 at 7:15 am, she took her own life. Today's episode is very last minute, so please forgive any errors. My hope is that you will learn and grow so that her death has meaning to the world! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/consider-yourself-hugged-episode-98-cheslie-kryst-suicide-by-pressure
After roughly 27 hours of deliberation over four days, a jury found Kim Potter guilty of both first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Daunte Wright.
Today we'll discuss lessons we can learn from this tragic accident. There will be tons of links in the show notes, including a very emotional YouTube video. Notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-97-kim-potter.
We have exciting news: For the next 4 weeks (at least) we are doing a series on Women in the News. Our goal is to dissect the story and extract lessons we can apply to our own mental and emotional health. We'll say this many times, but we are NOT attempting to pass judgement or take sides on any of these issues. We just want to help YOU.
Be sure to check out the show notes for quick descriptions and links to the women in our upcoming 3 episodes. We're not quite sure yet on week 4, so we'd love your ideas and your feedback. If you enjoy this and it helps, we might do more! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-96-intro-to-new-series-women-in-the-news.
Another great conversation!! Holly has such an interesting life (full bio below): She wrote Faith Hill's #1 single, Breathe, along with 40 other cuts. She worked in the banking industry. She lived and worked in the UK for 10 years. Now, she writes AND runs Wing Blade Falconry, where we met.
Her perspective on life is unique, and we know you're going to love her! So, sit back and enjoy our chat! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-95-holly-lamar-approaching-life-with-connection-intent.
What a fun conversation!! The night before our chat, Katie emailed us, asking if it would be video as well as audio. I replied, "Well, we record with video on just so it’s a little more personal but feel free to be in your jammies and a messy bun Podcast itself will only be the audio!"
She replied with a 🙌🏻💯 🙌🏻, and we knew: Katie is awesome!
We share this story because as we were chatting about this interaction, she gave her first (of many!) nugget of wisdom by saying this:
"I try to remain professional in communications over email, but also wanting to give people a sense of warmth and kindness and authenticity."
And she did! Katie will charm you, inspire you, and teach you as she describes her life, her struggles, and her triumphs. Be sure to check out her coaching practice, a model she describes as as a place for everyone to get coached! Link is in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-94-katie-o-malley-en-courage-coaching.
Today we want to spend just a few minutes to reflect on 2021 and share some hopes for 2022. We hope you have wonderful New Year and look forward to being with you again!! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/copy-of-cyh-episode-93-happy-new-year.
Today we want to spend just a few minutes to share our favorite memories and traditions with you. We hope you'll enjoy while you're walking, driving, working, cooking, or just relaxing. Take a few minutes to comment on the show notes! Let us into your life a little :) Notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-92-merry-christmas-traditions-memories. Love & Hugs & Happy Holidays!!
Our final Christmas season episode on giving is more special than we can relay! Today, Morgan Watson shares the story of her sweet Ruby who received her heart transplant exactly one year ago on the date of our recording! Ruby was 3 months old at the time and is now 15 months and thriving.
Morgan has so many lessons to share today about giving, motherhood, supporting one another, and grace. Please listen and reach out with your support and stories. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-91-ruby-the-gift-of-a-heart-transplant.
Today we continue discussing the theme of giving with my daughter as the guest! Join us as Michelle and I talk with Lindsey Barnes about her experiences with the gift of giving. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-90-the-gift-of-giving-with-lindsey-barnes.
With Thanksgiving down, now it’s time to focus on the Christmas season for the next few weeks. It seems natural to talk about the power of giving. We’re not talking about giving tons of expensive presents, but rather giving from the heart and how it’s so good for you! So sit back and listen to our disjointed, from-the-heart session! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-89-the-power-of-giving.
Today's episode is brief. We just want to share a few stories to lift your spirits on this Thanksgiving holiday! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-88-thanksgiving-grief-covid-and-the-jacuzzi-turkey.
We are so honored to have Beth Johnstone spend time with us today discussing her book, "I Can Even Dance."! Today Beth shares her journey, her heart, her lessons, and her compassion for other women.
We hope you'll listen all the way through, as at the end Beth will read an excerpt from her book, inspiring you that you can do anything! Be sure to check out the link to her book in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh87-bethjohnstone.
Today, Michelle and I continue our conversation about belonging. Our focus for this episode will be adolescents. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, or someone who influences young people, hang with us today as we navigate this important topic! Be sure to check out the great links we discuss during the show! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-86-belonging-part-ii.
Today, Michelle and I chat about the concept of belonging. It all stemmed from a conversation Michelle heard regarding crazy TikTok challenges. In Part I we’ll talk a bit about the positives and negatives of belonging. Be sure to check out the show notes for the great links we discuss during the show: https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-85-belonging-part-i.
This week we've got some odd things to talk about as evidenced by the fact that we have a link to the Seinfeld episode about Jimmy (if you don't know what we mean, listen and/or click the link in the show notes!)
Sometimes (ok, often!) life doesn't turn out the way we think it will. Then we have to evaluate our perspectives. That's what today is all about. Join us as we use one of my recent experiences (again!) to dig in to the concepts of perspective and expectations. Show notes at https://bit.ly/3GttgskCYH84.
Last week we got caught up and I shared my story of being assaulted and car-jacked. Today it's time to go deeper. I talked briefly about my obsession with my bruise and my sore muscles. We all have external or internal bruises - maybe our only proof that we've been hurt. Today, we work through those obsessions together! So, let's head on to the deeper dive! Show notes at https://bit.ly/2Z7XeATCYH83.
Gosh, we both missed our "Podcast Closets" so much, and we missed YOU! Today, we first want to catch up on what we’ve been up to, why we’ve been gone, and why we're back. Then I'll share the story of being assaulted and car-jacked on Wednesday, September 16th.
The point of the title is this: I became obsessed with my bruise and my sore muscles. You may have external or internal bruises - maybe your only proof that you've been harmed. It might be normal for a time, but it's so important to work through it. So today, the basic story. Next week the deeper dive! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-82-obsessed-with-our-bruises-part-i.
*** MORE THAN EVERY BEFORE PLEASE VISIT THE SHOW NOTES FOR RESOURCES!! (Show notes at https://bit.ly/3FmoNXPCYHbonus). Long time no see, right?! We are both very excited for a new season of Consider Yourself Hugged! Technically the new season begins next Wednesday, October 13th – it's recorded and in the queue! But we were talking a few days ago about Gabby Petito and realized we wanted to talk about it with you. So, we’re simply calling today “The Bonus Episode”! Join us today for a heartfelt conversation about Gabby, women & safety.
Sadly, but also joyfully, today will be our last episode of Consider Yourself Hugged: A Place for Women. The episode is short, and we just share our hearts as to why we’re changing course. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh81finalepisode
What a woman! Over the last 16 years, Rebecca has helped her clients to release old blocks, traumas, loss, and hidden fears to find a deeper sense of self-worth and determination to live life on their own terms. Today, she's going to help you understand 5 aspects of fear:
- How can fear help you find out what is out of alignment with your life?
- Why is fear your friend (even though it sucks)?
- What happens when you attach a judgement to an emotion?
- How does someone make the leap of faith out of suffering into the unknown?
- Why is it important to not judge yourself or your situation when you’re suffering?
Join us! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh80fear
Well, ladies - WHAT a time we had editing this episode! We decided to record in the gym, as this is one of her favorite places. We didn't realize how bad the echo would be. Then, I accidentally deleted the first few minutes of the interview; thank goodness it was only her telling us a few facts about herself, which we've put below. Despite the challenges, please stay with it! Ashlie is so inspiring!
About Ashlie Summer: Ashlie is VP of Operations at Fleetcor Technologies, a Fortuen 1000 company. She is a Level 1 Trainer at Crossift FreeFlow, and Crossfit Kids Certified. She was a successful college athlete, excelling at soccer. She is married and has a wonderful stepdaughter. She'll talk about all of this during our time today.
Ashlie's Topics Today: I. Barriers to Leadership for Women per article by Dr. Shawn Andrews
- Structural Barriers
- Institutional Mindset
- Individual Mindset
- Lifestyle Choices
II. Athletics in Building Leadership Skills and Changing Mentality
-Goal Setting
III. Should all women strive for leadership/do we all have the abilities
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh79womenleadership
A few weeks ago we posted this on our CYH Facebook group: regarding the dance performed by Cardi B and Meghan the Stallion on the Grammy's.
"Hey ladies! First, warning: GRAPHIC VIDEO (Click here to watch)! Now, why are we posting it? Lots of discussion/disagreement about this Grammy performance, particularly as it relates to women. We see SO many layers of discussion here and want to have a conversation about it on one of our upcoming podcast episodes.We’d like to know your thoughts. Please be respectful to one another as you comment."
We had lots of comments, in fact, too much to talk about in one episode. We tried our best to organize the comments into general categories. We discussed some of the issues last week in Part 1. Today we'll finish up!
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh78thegrammyspart2.
Last week we posted this on our CYH Facebook group: regarding the dance performed by Cardi B and Meghan the Stallion on the Grammy's.
"Hey ladies! First, warning: GRAPHIC VIDEO (Click here to watch)! Now, why are we posting it? Lots of discussion/disagreement about this Grammy performance, particularly as it relates to women. We see SO many layers of discussion here and want to have a conversation about it on one of our upcoming podcast episodes.We’d like to know your thoughts. Please be respectful to one another as you comment."
We had lots of comments, in fact, too much to talk about in one episode. We tried our best to organize the comments into general categories. We'll discuss some today, and some next week!
Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh77thegrammyspart1.
Wow! Today we have an inspirational young woman who will share her 130 lb (so far!) weight loss journey - the highs, the lows, the struggles, the victories. You'll be happy you listened, I promise! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh76icanseemykneecaps.
Today we go deeper with our series about Women & Relationships in 2021. This week, Tami & Michelle discuss Emotional Triggers. They actually each present their triggers in somewhat of a "therapy" session together! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh75emotionaltriggers.
Today we go deeper with our series about Women & Relationships in 2021. Jennifer Walden is back again this week with some heartwarming stories and advice! Learn what she means by “You can only walk on eggshells for so long, and then real life happens!” Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh74womenrelationships.
Today we go deeper with our series about Women & Spirituality in 2021. Jennifer Walden has so much insight to offer! Learn what she means by “Rescuing Faith!” Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-73rescuingfaith.
Today we go deeper with our series about Women & Relationships in 2021. Angela Howell has so many great tips to offer! Learn what she means when she says, "When I used to own a scale, it owned me!" Powerful stuff! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-72-loving-your-body-with-angela-howell.
Today is officially the end of our Four-part series for women in 2021! You're going to learn a lot about Women & Relationships, so hold on! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-71-women-relationships.
Today we'll talk about some ways religion helps, some ways it can hurt, and some tips for spiritual growth! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-70-women-spirituality-in-a-pandemic.
Just a quick intro to say hi and welcome you to this place for women! Invite your friends, post a hi to us, and tell us what you'd like to see going forward. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/consider-yourself-hugged-is-back. Hugs!!
Part 1 of our Women in 2021 series - today, the MIND!!! We'll go deeper on this topic soon with an expert interview, so be sure to comment with questions and ideas. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-2-calming-the-mind Hugs!
Welcome to Part 2 of our series. We mentioned before that we'll go deeper on this later, so keep the comments and questions coming! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-3-discomfort-is-not-fatal-the-body. Hugs!
I’ve made a decision that today will be the final CYH Podcast episode for the 2019-20 "season"! I think it’s time to recharge and come back fresh in the fall. I do hope you’ll continue to listen and share and stay with me on social media. A great way to end is simply to share some things I learned on my recent trip to Yellowstone! Make sure you go to the show notes to see pictures and videos. Show notes at https://bit.ly/2XJLKQYCYH66
Thank you SO much for your support for this first "season" of a year and a half! Until fall, Consider Yourself Hugged! 🤗
You may notice this is not session 6 of "The Stress Club." Although based on number of listens I’m assuming you aren’t noticing at all 😜 I altered my path. I changed my course. I changed my mind. Whatever you want to call it, I decided that wasn’t working. Maybe it’s because I have more men in the audience than I thought. Maybe it’s because people aren’t listening as much during this pandemic. Maybe it’s because I really suck! For whatever reason, it wasn’t working.
So yesterday as I was thinking about the podcast for today, I realized when things aren’t working sometimes you’ve got to decide what to do next. A lesson! Then I realized there have been so many wonderful things that have happened during the past few months! So on my walk this morning I processed those and want to share them with you. I hope they help!
Show Notes at https://bit.ly/2XsWWjPCYH65.
Remember when I introduced you to the concept of Interpretative Repertoires, or themes? Today we are going to talk about one of three overall ways women talked about stress, and that is as “the plight of women”. In order to best understand this we'll start with a little biology.
I am not an expert on gender differences. I do have an undergraduate degree in biology so I have a decent understanding, but there is much debate over gender, how much is biological how much is cultural etc. So, as I’ve said 1 million times before, I don’t mean all women or all men even if I accidentally say it. But there are differences, and I'm excited to share them and how it affects women's conversations about stress!
Show notes post by 7 am CST, Tuesday 5/18.
Today’s chapter, Ch. 5, I titled "Got Gas?"! I’ll tell you why in a sec!
Today we are ready to talk about that word, that word that I try to forbid everyone from saying LOL! That word "stress"! Show notes https://bit.ly/3cqXA7HCYH63.
Welcome to the Stress Club Session 3!
So far we have talked about frogs in pots, how we are conditioned that stress it’s just part of life today. In chapter 2 we looked at our stories and the formula for happiness and the influences on how we react to life events. Then in Chapter 3, I gave you an overview of how I studied stress and how it is different from other studies.
Today I am sharing with you probably my favorite chapter, my favorite topic of this entire book for women, our language!
It’s probably never been in the front of your radar to study the history of women’s language, so let me help you with that today! I’ll give credit to a few women who really paved the way and talk about our language in three different views: Language as Deficient, Language as Different, and Language as Rapport. It's a good one!! Show Notes at https://bit.ly/3g1C4INCYH64.
Last week we laid the foundation and talked about the happiness formula and the importance of choices. That’s what the rest of this book is about, Choices.
Remember, this book and study is not about what stresses you out, how you feel when you are stressed, or even managing stress,. It is about the concept of how women talk about stress.
This chapter, if you really grab onto it and adopt it, can change your life in many areas, not just stress. I can almost guarantee you that you have not heard of the field of Critical Discursive Psychology. But you are about to, and it's gonna be good!
Show notes at https://bit.ly/3f1fM9qCYH61.
This week starts week 1 of a 10-week women's book study of my book, "The Stress Club." Men, listen too as I think it can help! Each week we'll do basically one chapter. Today we'll do chapters one and two. If you don't have the book and would like a free Kindle download, that will be available April 21st - link is in the Show Notes at https://bit.ly/34QBgBg. Thanks for listening!!
As our country is urged today to prepare for the “hardest and saddest week,” I wanted to give you 4 choices to make to get through it together! I hope they'll speak to you in a powerful way! Show notes at bit.ly/34gBVf6CYH59.
Earlier in the month, Dr. Jenny Severson was on the show teaching us about emotions. Today, she's back, talking specifically about trauma. We recorded this before Coronavirus took the toll that it's taking, and I think the timing is perfect. Jenny talks about "little t" trauma vs "Big T" trauma. We are going through something together now that's more than we could have ever dreamed. I pray that her words speak to you today! Show notes at bit.ly/2WUpeVGCYH58.
Last month I was blessed to speak at Hopkinsville, KY Middle School at their Parent/Teacher Conference event. That night I met Claudia and she shared her story. Claudia and her husband Patrick have 2 boys, Lucas and Nicholas. On 3/2/2018 Nicholas passed in the night at the young age of 19. Claudia told me that Nicholas left a legacy forever, and I immediately knew I wanted her to share that with you. We recorded on March 2nd, two years to the date after his death, and before the Coronavirus pandemic. I know you may have lost someone to this illness. Or maybe you're separated from family, elderly parents, children. I know Claudia's words will inspire you through this time! Show notes post by 6:30 am CST on 3/24.
Oh my how the world has changed in a few days! Today, I have a short episode with a few powerful ideas for staying mentally and emotionally healthy during this difficult time. Remember, we are all in this together and I pray for our entire country every day! I hope you'll join me. Show notes at http://bit.ly/3d5NrhsCYH56.
What does it mean to be offended? The Oxford dictionary defines it as: resentful or annoyed, typically as a result of a perceived insult. Synonyms are: upset, hurt, wounded, injured, insulted
So why talk about this? Why admit it? Why now? Listen today, and I'll admit my struggles and walk you through processing those times when you're offended! Show notes at http://bit.ly/3350XNGCYH55.
Dr. Jenny Severson is passionate about gratitude, emotional intelligence, and optimism, even during tough times! Jenny serves schools, corporations, churches, and speaks at conferences across the globe. Today, she shares with you how she learned to take care of herself, serve others, have faith, and understand her body and her emotions at a deeper level. She's a smart one, so get ready!! Show notes at http://bit.ly/32JFEB6CYH54. Love & Hugs 😘🤗
As an ovarian cancer survivor, Jenn did not think it was in the cards to have children. Yet, marrying a single dad immediately blessed her with three children, then Jenn and Kirk were surprised by two miracle babies who are now growing into young men. Today, Jennifer Walden shares her story of hope, love, relationships, healing, generosity, and more. She not only inspires, but also shares practical tips that helped get her through the toughest time in her life! Show notes at http://bit.ly/2VkMf37CYH53.
Today, you get the pleasure and honor of hearing from the bully expert, Donna Clark Love!
Donna is an internationally recognized bully expert, workshop trainer and conference keynote speaker. She is a Licensed Chemically Dependent Counselor, a certified trainer for Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and a certified mediator/conflict resolution trainer. Donna has been featured on the NBC Today Show and the NBC Evening News to highlight successful prevention programming.
She has been featured in Forbes Magazine on workplace bullying. Recently, she was asked to provide expert commentary on digital bullying/harassment for Good Morning America. In 2005, People Magazine recognized her as the ‘cyber bullying expert’.
I know this will help you, and please pass along to help others! Show notes at http://bit.ly/37EznrkCYH52.
Love & Hugs!
Last week I put out the call for stories. If you listened, you might already know that my dear friend Angela Howell was the brain behind the challenge. Today, she called me and said, "Hey, let's talk about the stories together!" It's SO last minute, and I loved it! So, enjoy some of her reader's stories here, and respond to the challenges we give you today. Happy Valentine's Day!! Show notes at http://bit.ly/2uEHgzkCYH51.
Next week is Valentine's Day! Today I'll chat a bit about the weird history of this day, share my favorite Valentine's Day stories, and then challenge you to share your stories with me. Love & Hugs! Show notes at http://bit.ly/2SjfRLcCYH50.
Join me today as 10-year-old Emma and I talk about hugs! It's been one year (almost to the day!) since CYH launched, and this is my first discussion about hugs! Show notes at http://bit.ly/3155DC7CYH49.
Think of someone you want to change some obnoxious behavior. Maybe it’s family, a friend, a co-worker. You know this person: We vent about them with each other. We try to figure it out together. What if that person changed the behavior you've been praying for? What if that person might suddenly be part of your life in a different way?
Today I'll talk about 4 reasons that transition is weird (for lack of a better word!). Also, watch the episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKzOxDe0AlE.
Show notes at http://bit.ly/30KAwvtCYH48.
Happy Day!! This week's episode is definitely "off the cuff!" My oldest son, Jamie (everyone else calls him James, but I'm his mom so I get to call him whatever I want 😁) ran his first marathon yesterday at Disney World. It was so much harder for him and more emotional for me than either of us expected.
I don't have points or 1,2,3 steps today - just an inspirational conversation that I wanted to have quickly, before the thoughts and emotions start to fade. Today is about control, lack of control, growing, overcoming, persevering, and overall being inspired! Join me :) Show notes at http://bit.ly/36S8qRrCYH47.
Happy 2020!! I’m starting the new year with this topic because communication really is foundational for great mental and emotional wellbeing. Can’t say no? Don’t speak up and ask for things? People don’t seem to connect with you? ALL communication issues. (Make sure to listen till the end because in February I’m doing a free webinar for 10 people. Honestly, it’s the 1st of a few freebies as I branch out more into communication and speaker coaching.)
How can you be a person that others want to be around? One that has a reputation for being kind, confident, thoughtful, attentive? These 10 tips will include how you mentally process BEFORE you speak as well as what you say Here we go! (Show notes http://bit.ly/2FteofgCYH46.)
I decided to end 2019 with an anniversary story. I’ve told the story a thousand times: 4 am, December 22nd, three days before Christmas, my house burned down in the middle of the night. When we awoke, the entire attic/roof and about 1/3 of the house was already engulfed. My husband at the time and my 3 kids, (ages 2,4, and 6) climbed out of our bedroom window and that was that.
Christmas feels different this year. I’m not sure why. Not sure if it has anything to do with it being 25 yrs since that night, but it’s just different. I hope you'll understand as you listen to our final chat of 2019! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2rWZafnCYH45)
Lori La Bey cared for her mother with dementia for 30 years. She gave up her career to shift the needle in dementia awareness, care and education; stating she would not work in a broken system.
Through her passion and dedication, Lori launched Alzheimer’s Speaks an advocacy and media outlet providing multiple platforms shifting perceptions of dementia at home and in healthcare; while creating and exposing new care strategies and resources.
Lori has been Recognized by Oprah as a “Health Hero” and AARP MN as an “Inspiring Leader and Disruptor” in 2018, by Maria Shriver as an “Architect of Change” in 2016, and by Dr. Oz and Sharecare as the “#1 Influencer Online for Alzheimer’s” in 2012.
Get ready - she has a ton of great advice!! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2LFgWdHCYH44).
I’m excited to welcome you back from the holidays with an inspirational guest, Erin Jones. Erin and I met a few years ago at an event we’ve both spoken at several times, a week of staff development for the amazing teachers at Cypress Fairbanks, TX a suburb of Houston. She has such an inspiring story of using loss, abandonment, and rejection as the foundation for the good she does in the world. All of us have dealt with these issues in life, some small and some big. I promise you'll be inspired today and ready to use your gifts to be the best you can be! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2rPFIRoCYH43.)
I know this is a busy week and your energies need to go toward family & friends, or however you plan to spend your holiday, so this’ll be short! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! And even though I love it, sometimes I forget to truly be thankful. So let’s do that today. Join me in sharing memories of Thanksgivings past! Yes I'll make it interesting by offering you a possible gift :) And Happy Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃🍗😘🤗 (Show notes http://bit.ly/33nuosICYH42, Facebook Thread at https://www.facebook.com/TamiWestSeminars/)
Last week I interviewed my pastor about addiction. He freely shares his story and is NOT embarrassed by his past. That interview led me to think, "Well, I’m not embarrassed – why?" It really was one of the worst days of my life. Today I'll share three reasons I’m not embarrassed about my mental hospital stay (along with some lessons learned). Regardless of what the skeleton/s is/are in your closet, listen to have a renewed attitude on your plights :). Show notes found at http://bit.ly/2KBQUrjCYH41.
There’s something Christians do that is not biblical but it is destructive. I’m not going to quote scripture but I think intuitively, Christian or not, you will know that it’s just not right. I see it. I hear it. And I'm embarrassed to say, I’ve done it. Here it is: We think or we say, "How can so & so be a Christian when he or she ___" fill in the blank: Gossips, gets angry, parties, smokes, had an affair, had an abortion, has an addiction.
I have a chat today that will change your life. If you are not a Christian, if you have been judged by Christians, if you are a Christian who judges or who has been judged, this story is for you! It’s one of mistakes, consequences, overcoming, transparency, touching people’s lives, and love.
I have a very special guest today, my pastor, Dan Smith. I'm so excited for you to hear his message: Whatever your weak spot, you are loved and you can heal! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/32GGDAgCYH40)
Well, I didn't know I'd be recording a Part II of "Our Inner Critics," but I just had to! I'm doing a book study with a friend, and Ch. 1 just screamed some thoughts I had to share with you. Join me today as I talk about 3 steps to getting on track with your self esteem. I'll post a link to the book if you'd like to join! Enjoy and let me know what you think :) (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2JNZ7byCYH39)
I have a very special guest today, international speaker and author, Sarah Steele! Sarah and I met in 2009 (I think 😅) when we spent 2 weeks together traveling and speaking across England, Scotland, and Wales. As you will hear (or you already know if you watched my teaser!) she is from England, so you’ll love listening.
Sarah has worked globally as a facilitator and keynote and has been lucky enough to work with clients such as L’Oreal, Geico, Johns Hopkins, NASA, MIT as well as awesome faith-based organisations and non-profits. Her passions are around Managing Self and the power of intentionality when deciding how to respond to tough situations (and you are REALLY going to hear this today!).
Recently I learned something I didn’t know much about while we were traveling together. At 20 years old, Sarah was involved in a car accident that still affects her today. You’re about to hear the powerful lessons she has learned through that experience. She'll talk about the concept of BounceBackAbility – bouncing back from setbacks, catching yourself when you are on a downward spiral, and managing your own attitude in tough times. Enjoy! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2MU2TlyCYH38.)
Today I wanted to give you a short reminder of the importance of not identifying yourself in debilitating ways! It's just a short story of an interaction I had and how it really made me think about my own mental health and OCD. Let me know what you think! (Show notes at http://bit.ly/31BwmVFCYH37).
So excited about today's episode! Maybe you've taken the Enneagram test or DiSC or one of the many other personality assessments available "out there"! Years ago I wrote one called "What Type of Coffee Are You?" Today I'll walk you through a general overview of personality assessments, briefly describe the 4 styles from my Coffee quiz, and give you 3 tips to help you use your style for mental and emotional well-being. Be sure to download the quiz - links are in the show notes :) (Show notes at http://bit.ly/2VJeHtLCHY36).
Tami put out a call for questions YOU want answered, and today she answers 2 of the many that came through. The first involves how we see ourselves, and the 2nd, dealing with others' emotional pain. The plan is to keep doing Q & A sessions in the future, so enjoy! (Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-35-q-a-from-my-fabulous-listeners).
You’ve heard one chat already with Tami's oldest son Jamie (well, James to everyone else but probably never to her 😁). The plan today was to focus on rest, which they did, but they also veered into so many other cool areas, so please enjoy! (Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-34-rest-emotions-choices-thoughts-more-another-chat-with-my-son).
Today, Tami will give you some great insight and tips from one of her favorite self-help books, "Self-Esteem" by Dr. Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning. If you battle your inner critic and would like relief, tune in!! (Show notes with links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-33-our-inner-critics-are-winning-why-and-how-to-get-a-grip?fbclid=IwAR0OHxFKWwhyFd4MrS9lmZB2NCAyYzsvwevTPoRppW_bWMkIhOrSzkoGGYc)
Today's episode focuses on language and the word choices we make. Tami will share a story from her latest trip and then give you a tip to become a better, more confident, more aware communicator! (Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-32-i-about-killed-my-dang-wife-choosing-your-words).
Today Tami shares a personal story that forced her to make a decision based on thought and processing - not fear and emotion. First she'll share just the story. Then she'll walk you through her processing. Then she'll give you some steps to take when you're faced with tough decisions. (Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-31-the-spot-on-my-face-a-lesson-in-decision-making).
Mary Smith is a 28 year educator, a Zig Ziglar Legacy Certified Professional Education Coach, Trainer, and Speaker; a DISC Human Behavior Consultant and a published author. She is also an inspiration!
Join Tami today and hear Mary share a very special story of becoming aware of, processing, and really understanding that we all leave a legacy – hopefully it’s positive, but probably it’s going to sometimes be negative. Today she’ll tell us how she uses that story. (Show notes will all links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-30-legacy-a-teacher-a-student-and-an-unexpected-lesson-with-mary-smith)
If you struggle with letting little things get to you more than you want them to, join Tami today as she shares some food for thought! As always, her mess-ups become her/your new tools :) (Find the show notes with links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-29-sometimes-i-do-sweat-the-small-stuff)
Matt Upton is a Dad, Grandad, Author, Coach, Servant and Speaker. He is also one of the most positive people on the planet! Today, Matt shares some very personal stories about his life that he’s overcome and shares to help us! Then he’s going to teach you how to have a serving spirit. Don't miss it! Find the Show Notes with links and Matt's contact info at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-28-the-benefits-of-a-serving-spirit-with-matt-upton.
Today, Tami will give you a new way to use the acronym FEAR. Yes, "False Evidence Appearing Real" is helpful, but we need to go deeper. Learn how to analyze your fears in order to move forward! (Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-27-what-are-you-afraid-of-your-unique-fears).
Today Tami chats with Cindy Goff-Seratte, a woman who's living with the physical, mental, and emotional challenges that come with Fibromyalgia. She refuses to be defined by it and has inspiration and tips for those living with pain and those who love others in pain. Get ready! (Show notes with links, etc. at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-26-living-with-fibromyalgia-with-cindy-goff-seratte)
Today Tami shares how she processed a recent failure. If small setbacks really get to you please tune in! Get the links and more info at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-25-when-small-failures-elicit-gargantuan-emotions.
Today Tami shares a personal mess-up that will hopefully help you process your irritations and think differently! Get the links and more info at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-24-a-guy-at-mcdonald-s-processing-irritation-at-another-s-behavior.
It has sure taken Angela Howell and me a bit of time to have this chat and the wonderful thing is that the timing could not be more perfect! Angela and I met at church in 2012 and became fast friends. She chats with me today about being ok even if the world around you is not. Her bio, website, links etc. are all in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/show-notes-cyh-episode-23-how-can-we-be-ok-when-everything-else-around-us-is-not-ok. Enjoy!
Oh man!! Today's episode is a very powerful interview with communication expert Meryl Runion. Meryl's book "PowerPhrases" (one of many) changed my life and helped me to realize I really COULD speak up in a confident way. Enjoy!
Nine years ago, in June of 2010, Tami had the honor to deliver a Managing Emotions training for the female inmates of Danbury Federal Prison. Listen to the story and 5 lessons you'll take away for your own life!
Today might be tough. Tami will share a story of a family friend who took his life and how that loss has changed her life.
Today Tami has an inspiring, informative interview with Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC. If you think you or someone you love might be struggling with PTSD, you'll want to listen in!!
Perfectionism is the ultimate deception that landed Tami in the mental hospital. Today she'll help you understand this monster of perfectionism and then guide you through 4 steps to help you get back on the path of peace!
Tami covered forgiveness in a previous episode, but what about moving on? Today she will share with you a simple but powerful tool to help you move on after forgiveness.
Today Tami has a very special interview for you with Dr. Anne Ferrari! She shares ways to combat stigma around mental illness. Anne Ferrari is a developmental psychologist with a doctorate in applied developmental psychology as well as a master’s in childhood and special education. She has taught in higher education for more than 20 years as an associate professor and her courses include Abnormal Psychology, Human Sexuality, and Developmental Psychology. Her research has centered on cultural differences in definitions of child abuse and most recently, strategies to reduce stigma towards mental illness. She has three children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she makes her own soap. You don't want to miss this!
Today Tami will set you free from the bondage of guilt by taking you through a step by step process.
Today Tami will explain the importance of incorporating all 5 of your senses to enhance your peace, happiness, and overall well-being.
During today's episode, Tami will fill in the details of her story and encourage you if you struggle with anxiety or you care for someone who struggles with anxiety. She will encourage you with her past, her present struggles, and how she gets through each day.
Today Tami shares her revelation and upcoming journey to understand a possible OCD issue.
Today, listen to the 1st of 3 special conversations between Tami and her children. This episode centers on turning points in our lives.l
Tami continues the topic of dealing with emotional situations by teaching you to how to plan for difficult, emotional conversations.
Join Tami today as she shares the very personal and life-changing story of her mother's transformation - and her own!
Join Tami as she teaches you a counterintuitive but effective way to deal with perceived failure!
Today, Tami will help you understand the reasons behind, and ways to overcome, the Superwoman Syndrome.
Today Tami will explain what emotions are, how you came to have them, and how you can have more of the good and less of the bad :)
Sneak Peak: Listen to Dr. Tami West's live intro she uses during events all over the world! It'll help you understand the foundations for the podcast.
Today Tami will teach you the power of the word stress and how to escape The Stress Club.
Join Tami as she encourages you to explore your identity in order to move closer to mental and emotional well-being.
The 1st ever episode of the Consider Yourself Hugged Podcast. Today you'll learn a bit about Dr. West's background and then learn 3 tips for using your own mental/emotional journey.