Consider Yourself Hugged

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

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.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/your-mental-health-treatment-in-2023.

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.HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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 at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/whymanagingholidaystressdoesntwork

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 you3.Use a paper bag if you’re hyperventilating4.Call someone. Michael. 5.Recognize catastrophic/global thinking.6.Think of someone who has healed from what you’re going through7.Repeat8.Therapy/medicationShow 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 inde

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.