Let's Talk About Mental Health

Why your family ignores your boundaries (Episode 312)

Do your family boundaries seem to disappear the moment someone gets upset? In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast I’m exploring family conflict, toxic family relationships, and how to set boundaries with family… so you can dial down the family drama and start finding peace! I’ll walk you through why setting boundaries with family members feels so hard, what’s really going on in your head when you’re struggling with boundaries, and simple mental health tips to help you say no without guilt.  This one’s especially useful for holidays mental health, but it’s really for any time you find yourself stuck in old patterns with family and want a calmer mindset and less anxiety after seeing them. By the end of the episode you’ll have practical ideas for how to have better relationships with family: protecting your peace, using kind but direct boundaries, and feeling more in control of your own life.  👉 Ready to explore how to keep your boundaries without burning out? Then let’s talk! 💡 TL;DR: Sick of your family boundaries collapsing the moment there’s drama? In this episode I break down why you keep caving in family conflict and how to set boundaries with family without guilt or chaos. ________________________________ ⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps: 0:00 Family boundaries and mental health 0:31 Family conflicts 2:22 Why your family boundaries collapse 7:27 How to set boundaries with family 13:12 Sticking to family boundaries 📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=19035 [https://ltamh.com/?p=19035]  ➕ Related episodes: Patterns don’t lie! (Episode 303) https://ltamh.com/?p=18325 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18325]  Surviving the holidays (Episode 311) https://ltamh.com/?p=18935 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18935]  👋 New here?  Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday. 🔗 Links Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/ [https://ltamh.com/subscribe/]   Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com [https://ltamh.com]  Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin [https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin]  My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/ [https://ltamh.com/shop/]   Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/ [https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/] Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/ [https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/]   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh [https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh]   Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/]         #familyboundaries #difficultfamily #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin  #holidaystress #christmasstress

Dreading the holidays? Here’s how to get through (Episode 311)

Dreading Christmas and the holidays? Worried about how to deal with family drama? Going through loss and grief at Christmas? If Christmas and the holidays leave you feeling numb, angry, frustrated, or quietly thinking “I hate Christmas” while everyone else plays happy families then this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast is for you (and me, since I struggle with surviving the holidays too). This week I’m talking about the Christmas blues (or ‘holiday blues’ if you prefer), and what to do when issues like grief during the holidays, family drama, and loss during the holidays turn December into something you’re dreading. I’ll share practical holiday stress tips and simple holiday stress management ideas to help you start coping with the holidays in a calmer and kinder way (or at least in a way that you can keep your sanity!) even if you’re dealing with a toxic family reunion or ongoing family conflict. You’ll also find it helpful if you’re looking for holiday depression tips or you just find this time of year emotionally exhausting.  👉 Ready to learn how to get through the holidays without feeling awful? Then let’s talk! 💡 TL;DR: Struggling with the Christmas blues? Dreading the holidays? This episode is full of practical holiday stress tips for coping with the holidays without wrecking your mental health. ________________________________ ⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps: 0:00 The holidays and mental health 0:42 Holiday stress management 3:36 What does stress during the holidays mean? 7:51 Why the holidays hurt 14:23 How to get through the holidays 23:12 Final holiday stress tips (conclusion) 📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=18935 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18935]      ➕ Related episodes: Money stress (Episode 310) https://ltamh.com/?p=18852 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18852] 📚 Further reading: “Christmas Stress” (Relationships Australia, 2016) https://www.relationships.org.au/document/december-2016-christmas-stress/ [https://www.relationships.org.au/document/december-2016-christmas-stress/]  “’Tis the Season...” (Mental Health UK, 2021) https://mentalhealth-uk.org/blog/tis-the-season-3-in-10-brits-say-their-mental-health-nosedives-over-christmas/ [https://mentalhealth-uk.org/blog/tis-the-season-3-in-10-brits-say-their-mental-health-nosedives-over-christmas/]  👋 New here?  Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, podcast creator and counsellor plus the host of Let’s Talk About Mental Health, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health. New episodes every Sunday. 🔗 Links Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/ [https://ltamh.com/subscribe/]   Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com [https://ltamh.com]  Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin [https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin]  My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/ [https://ltamh.com/shop/]   Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/ [https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/] Daily Affirmations tool (paid download): https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/ [https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/]   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh [https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh]   Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/]         #holidaystress #christmasstress #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin

Money stress is hijacking your peace of mind — how to deal with the cost of living (Episode 310)

Is money stress making every week feel like a fight you didn’t sign up for? Cost of living tips not really cutting it? Well, we need to talk about money and mental health… not to mention the cost of living and mental health! In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast with Jeremy Godwin, I look at how the cost of living is out of control and what that does to your mind and body. I break down why financial anxiety triggers threat mode, how money worries create decision fatigue, and why shame keeps you stuck (and makes it tough to work on your financial wellness). I’m sharing practical ways to cope with financial stress that focus on better mental health first: a simple 10-minute weekly reset I use, quick calming practices for your nervous system, and realistic boundaries you can set to protect your peace while you deal with the numbers. If you’re overwhelmed by rising costs and tired of feeling on edge, this is for you.  👉 Ready to reclaim some headspace and feel more in control (in spite of how expensive everything is these days)? Then let’s talk! 💡 TL;DR: Feeling crushed by money stress and rising costs? This episode explains what it’s doing to your mind and body, and how to start taking back control of your peace. ________________________________ ⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps: 0:00 Cost of living and mental health 0:42 Money stress and mental health 3:26 What is financial stress? 7:29 Why your financial wellbeing matters 13:22 How to deal with money stress  22:51 Final money stress tips (conclusion) 📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=18852 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18852]     ➕ Related episodes: Desperation and overwhelm (Episode 298) https://ltamh.com/?p=18029 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18029]   👋 New here?  Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, podcast creator and counsellor plus the host of Let’s Talk About Mental Health, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health. New episodes every Sunday. 🔗 Links Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/ [https://ltamh.com/subscribe/]   Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com [https://ltamh.com]  Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin [https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin]  My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/ [https://ltamh.com/shop/]   Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/ [https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/] Daily Affirmations tool (paid download): https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/ [https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/]   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh [https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh]   Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/]         #moneystress #costofliving #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #financialwellbeing

Conflict is damaging your relationships — why healthy conflict matters (Episode 309)

Tired of having the same fight on repeat? Had enough of handling conflict and arguments that don’t ever seem to actually resolve anything? Well, it's time to learn how to handle conflict better! This episode is about healthy conflict without all the drama. This week on the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast I get practical about healthy conflict resolution and direct communication so you can handle conflict effectively and focus on improving relationships that matter to you. I look at how conflict affects your relationships and how you can use simple conflict management techniques to stop avoiding relationship issues or arguing rather than resolving issues. We’ll explore how to have healthy arguments that reduce conflict, improve relationships, and calm your head so you’re not stuck in your own thoughts. I’ll show you how handling conflict can help you build better relationships with clear, kind asks and follow-through, and I’ll share practical mental health tips for dealing with confrontation so you can stay calm, be direct, and reduce conflict without the drama. 👉 Ready to handle conflict in a healthier way so you can protect your peace? Then let’s talk! 💡 TL;DR: Learn healthy conflict handling skills and direct communication to manage conflict with less drama, reduce arguments, and build better relationships so you can protect your peace. ________________________________ ⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps: 0:00 Conflict and mental health 0:29 Healthier conflict 2:10 What is healthy conflict? 6:37 Why healthy conflict matters 11:32 How to handle conflict 22:09 Final conflict resolution tips (conclusion) 📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=18771 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18771]    ➕ Related episodes: Raise your standards (Episode 308) https://ltamh.com/?p=18769 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18769]  Navigating challenging relationships (Episode 289) https://ltamh.com/?p=17399 [https://ltamh.com/?p=17399] 👋 New here?  Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, podcast creator and counsellor plus the host of Let’s Talk About Mental Health, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health. New episodes every Sunday. 🔗 Links Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/ [https://ltamh.com/subscribe/]   Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com [https://ltamh.com]  Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin [https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin]  My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/ [https://ltamh.com/shop/]   Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/ [https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/] Daily Affirmations tool (paid download): https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/ [https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/]   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh [https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh]   Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/]         #conflict #betterrelationships #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #Assertiveness #handlingconflict #protectyourpeace #healthierarguments

Low standards are destroying your peace! How to raise your standards (Episode 308)

Tired of dealing with drama and chaos? Raise your standards and protect your peace! In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast I’m tackling a simple fix for better mental health: respect yourself by learning how to be assertive and setting boundaries effectively. I show you how to be assertive without drama, set healthy boundaries, and treat yourself with respect so you calm your mind and cut the chaos. If you want less stress and anxiety, and if you know that low standards do you more harm than good, then I’ll help you to know your worth, stop lowering your standards, and build self trust with straightforward and practical mental health tips you can use today (like how to respect yourself, what having high standards looks like in real life, and the small self development steps that boost self worth). If you’re new here, I’m Jeremy Godwin and Let’s Talk About Mental Health is your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health.  👉 Ready to lift your standards and find greater peace? Then let’s talk! 💡 TL;DR: Sick of chaos and stress? Raise your standards — set healthy boundaries, be assertive, and know your worth — to calm your mind for better mental health. ________________________________ ⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps: 0:00 Standards and mental health 0:28 Raising your standards 3:08 What raising your standards really means 8:22 Why low standards drain your peace 14:10 How to raise your standards 22:46 No more lower standards! (conclusion) 📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=18769 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18769]   ➕ Related episodes: Setting healthy boundaries (Episode 248) https://ltamh.com/?p=14448 [https://ltamh.com/?p=14448]  Stop being so hard on yourself! (Episode 305) https://ltamh.com/?p=18566 [https://ltamh.com/?p=18566]    👋 New here?  Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, podcast creator and counsellor plus the host of Let’s Talk About Mental Health, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health. New episodes every Sunday. 🔗 Links Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/ [https://ltamh.com/subscribe/]   Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com [https://ltamh.com]  Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin [https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin]  My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/ [https://ltamh.com/shop/]   Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/ [https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/] Daily Affirmations tool (paid download): https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/ [https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/]   Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh [https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh]   Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/]         #raiseyourstandards #protectyourpeace #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #Assertiveness #SetHealthyBoundaries #KnowYourWorth #SelfRespect #CalmerMind