Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships

Are you a couch potato? A Sofa Spud?  Does  your critical voice constantly call you lazy? Do you plan on working out but don’t follow through? Someone looking to stop the weight gain as you juggle all the demands of midlife which leave little time for the gym?   This is the episode for you!!!! We all know the stats: working out is essential for the wellness of our body, spirit and mind. But, what to do if you’re a GOOD person but can’t get yourself to exercise? Maybe you’re are a GOOD person who starts to work out but can’t keep at it. Join MJ and her guest Julie Hamilton, a personal trainer, who bench press this dilemma with some super practical and doable tips. Remember, we’re meant to move but we don’t need to be Olympians or Cross-Fit Enthusiasts to do what helps us feel better, now! So, listen on the couch or put in your earbuds and go for a walk, YOU CAN DO THIS!!! In this episode MJ shares that her new podcast Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships debuts next Monday with a follow-up episodes on Thursday featuring tips on her weekly Inner Challenge Insights!Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

It's August and you may be one of those parents sending an anxious child off to school, college, trade school, or the world of full time work. Yep, it's animal house right under your own roof. If it feels a little crazy, I'm here to bring you a bit of calm. In this episode, you'll learn: The practical science of why your child's anxiety is contagious Three simple steps to help decrease anxiety contagion How to be helpful without becoming a dumping ground for your child's nerves   when it comes to this significant life transition. Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

Have you ever wondered how others see you and how it shapes who you are?External self-awareness is crucial for cultivating mental wellness, yet many of us overlook it, believing that internal self-awareness is enough. In this episode, MJ and her guest explore why both are essential. Through real-life examples and practical insights, you'll discover how gaining a balanced view of self-awareness can significantly boost your growth and mental well-being.In this episode, you will:Learn how to gather and integrate external self-awareness to enhance your personal and professional relationships.Gain insights into overcoming defensiveness, enabling you to receive feedback without feeling threatened.Discover practical steps to balance internal and external self-awareness, leading to a more authentic and confident you.Tune in now to uncover the secrets of external self-awareness and start creating a healthier, more balanced approach to building self-awareness and increased self=confidence. Don’t forget to listen to Part 1: Ep. 73 Mental Wellness: The Enneagram & Internal Self-Awareness.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

 Join MJ Murray Vachon, a licensed clinical social worker, as she explores the depths of self-awareness with a guest who shares his journey of understanding through the Enneagram personality test. This unscripted conversation will help you learn the  intricacies of internal self-awareness, the importance of values, and how tools like the Enneagram can aid in mental wellness and personal growth. Discover insights into human development, the role of personality tests, and the balance between internal reflections and external feedback. Tune in to learn how self-awareness can enhance not only personal mental health but also contribute to a better world.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

Welcome to Inner Challenge, a podcast dedicated to mental wellness. In this episode, MJ and her guest  explore the theme 'How do I stay sane when my adult children are distressed?' Join the unscripted conversation between the host and a mother in mid-life  who grapples with the struggles of supporting her adult children while maintaining her own mental wellness. By sharing real-life challenges, strategies for emotional regulation, and insightful tips on handling life's obstacles, this episode aims to provide practical advice for listeners. Featuring five key insights, including rewiring parent-child dynamics, recognizing contagious emotions, and practicing self-care, this conversation delves into the art of mental wellness with the hope of cultivating a healthier mindset for both the parent and the child.00:00 Introduction to Inner Challenge Podcast00:32 Guest Introduction and Background01:32 Defining Mental Wellness04:26 Challenges of Supporting Adult Children06:30 Strategies for Emotional Regulation12:16 Practical Tips for Parents24:03 Insights and Takeaways26:59 Conclusion and ResourcesCreating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

Is there anything quite as inspiring as the Olympics! This episode may be it!!  Join MJ  and her guest, a wise young man who immigrated from Asia at the age of six, as he  shares his experiences and challenges growing up in a new land. From dealing with the pain of cultural shocks and relational differences to finding solace in simple activities like walking, this conversation offers a profound look into the struggles and resilience of immigrant children. Like so many of our athletes he doesn't get a medal his journey  may make your heart soften and have you look anew at your immigrant doctor, grocery bagger or classmate.  This episode also helps us   gain insight into the importance of mental wellness and the impact of empathy and understanding in healing emotional wounds often experienced by immigrants. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

It's summertime! Time for the beach, walks and sitting outside with friends-real friends not virtual friends. In one of her favorite episodes MJ  talks with a neuroscience major who becomes her own cell phone therapist. This episode will give you not only the science of why it is hard to stop using our phones but little known solutions for this BIG problem. Are you tired of this 3x6 inch tech marvel controlling you, listen and take back your SUMMER!Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

While MJ is on summer hiatus she will be sharing some of her favorite episodes! Taping for Season 4 beings in August and MJ would love to have you or someone you think is interesting as a guest. If interested email:mj@mjmurrayvachon.com   Enjoy this episode, where  MJ's   guest  shares his perspective on maintaining mental health through habits, relationships, and self-awareness.  They engage in a thoughtful conversation about the importance of good habits, mutuality in relationships, and the significance of self-awareness. The discussion extends to navigating political differences within friendships and the development of emotional and social intelligence. Don't miss out on the valuable insights and personal experiences shared in this enriching episode on mental wellness and creating stronger, healthier relationships.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

In this podcast episode,  MJ continues a conversation with Hedy Schleifer, an internationally renowned relationship builder and motivational speaker. Hedy introduces the latest iteration of ECT (Encountered Centered Transformation), emphasizing that peace begins with the family through strong, committed partnerships. They discuss the process of hosting and visiting different 'neighborhoods' within each other's worlds, both precious and challenging, and explore concepts like generative speaking and listening, the Hero's Journey, and the importance of maintaining a sacred space. Essential insights on relational growth and longevity are shared, focusing on deep connections within families and communities. Special thanks to Elly Wynia and MJ's grandson, Neel, for their contributions.Website: https://hedyschleifer.com/Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEaERAnIqsY00:00 Introduction and Recap01:09 Understanding Precious Neighborhoods03:06 Generative Speaking and Listening05:55 Exploring the Neighborhood of Challenge11:13 The Hero's Journey15:01 Making Requests in Relationships20:15 Creating Sacred Space33:05 Final Thoughts and InsightsCreating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support. 

Join me on this emergency podcast episode as I analyze 'Inside Out 2,' the Pixar sequel depicting the emotional life of Riley, a young adolescent. As a therapist with extensive experience in adolescent mental health, I delve into the film's portrayal of teen anxiety, its causes, and societal norms contributing to the current mental health crisis. I'll share insights and discussion questions designed to promote healthy conversations among families. Topics include the impact of competition, technology, self-worth versus self-esteem, and the importance of collaboration and community support for today's teens.I'll be back next week with Ep. 67 Mental Wellness & Relationships.  Part 2 of my conversation with the amazing Hedy Schleifer. If you have not heard Part 1, Ep. 66 you are in for a treat!Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.