97. Why Small Joys Help Heal the Brain | Hygge & Seasonal Depression, PTSD, Anxiety Symptoms

99. Summer SAD, Stress, or PTSD? 7 Ways to Calm Your Nervous System

Summer is supposed to feel joyful... so why are you feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted? If you're struggling with anxiety symptoms, PTSD, seasonal depression, Stress, isolation, loneliness, guilt, or burnout while everyone else seems to be enjoying the season, you're not alone. In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori explores how Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summer SAD), trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can impact your mental health. Learn why heat, disrupted sleep, changing routines, and increased social expectations can increase Stress, anxiety symptoms, and emotional overwhelm during the summer months. Discover 7 practical, trauma-informed tools to help calm your nervous system, improve sleep, set healthy boundaries, reduce overwhelm, and create a summer routine that supports emotional resilience. You'll learn how to recognize what nourishes you versus what depletes you, use grounding and gratitude practices, stay connected without overcommitting, and create simple rhythms that support healing from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic Stress. Summer doesn't have to be a season you simply survive. With the right tools and awareness, you can build a calmer, more balanced relationship with your mind, body, and emotions. LINKS:  Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast] Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough] Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com [https://insider.grwebsite.com/] Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1128305889363441] Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] KEYWORDS: * Summer SAD * Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder * seasonal depression * anxiety symptoms * guilt * isolation * boundaries * PTSD * trauma * Stress * nervous system regulation * emotional overwhelm * mental health

98. Not Broken. Equipped: Why Does Asking for Help Feel So Hard? Teamwork, Boundaries & Healing After Trauma

Do you feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? When you're living with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, or chronic stress, it's easy to believe you have to do everything alone. But isolation, loneliness, guilt, and emotional exhaustion only make the burden heavier. In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, we're exploring the Character Strength of Teamwork and why asking for support isn't weakness, it's part of healing. You'll discover: 🤝 Why trauma often leads to isolation 🤝 How healthy boundaries strengthen relationships 🤝 Why guilt keeps us from asking for help 🤝 Practical ways to reconnect without overcommitting You were never meant to carry life's burdens alone. LINKS:  Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast] Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough] Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com [https://insider.grwebsite.com/] Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1128305889363441] Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths: 24 Character Strengths List | VIA Institute [https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths] Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=drive_link] KEYWORDS: Seasonal depression, anxiety symptoms, PTSD recovery, stress, chronic stress, guilt, loneliness, isolation, boundaries, emotional exhaustion, trauma healing, positive psychology, teamwork, cooperation, relationships, connection, resilience.

97. Why Small Joys Help Heal the Brain | Hygge & Seasonal Depression, PTSD, Anxiety Symptoms

Can slowing down actually help heal your brain? If you've experienced PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, or chronic stress, your brain naturally learns to scan for danger. In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores the Positive Psychology practice of savoring and how the hygge lifestyle can help calm your nervous system by slowing down and noticing life's small joys. You'll discover the neuroscience behind savoring, why it supports healing, and simple, practical ways to create more peace, comfort, and presence in your everyday life. If you're looking for practical tools to manage PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, and Stress, this episode will help you find healing one small moment at a time. Subscribe for weekly trauma-informed strategies rooted in Positive Psychology and a faith-friendly approach to healing. LINKS:  Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast] Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough] Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com [https://insider.grwebsite.com/] Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1128305889363441] Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] KEYWORDS:  PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, Stress, Positive Psychology, boundaries, guilt, isolation, loneliness, seasonal depression, SAD, Winter Blues, Spring SAD, trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, hygge, mindfulness, resilience, emotional healing, mental wellness, gratitude, savoring, self-care, practical mental health, faith-based healing, Practical Solutions for PTSD

96. How Creativity Helps Heal Trauma: Reconnect with Parts of You That Stress Shut Down with Elizabeth

Can creativity help heal trauma, anxiety symptoms, depression, and Stress? When you're living in survival mode, creativity is often one of the first things to disappear. Trauma, PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, and Stress can leave you feeling emotionally exhausted and disconnected from the hobbies and activities you once loved. In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori explores how creativity helps regulate the nervous system, process emotions, and support healing. Discover why creativity isn't just for artists, but a powerful tool for reducing emotional overwhelm, building resilience, and reconnecting with joy and purpose. You'll learn practical, low-pressure ways to bring creativity back into your life, even if you don't consider yourself creative, and why simple acts of creating can become meaningful steps toward healing. LINKS:  Elizabeth's Links:  Classroom RESET Challenge: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge [https://theinspiredclassroom.kit.com/challengejuly26] Website: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/ [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/]  Enjoy Teaching Again podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enjoy-teaching-again-elementary-teacher-burnout-student/id1662280027 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enjoy-teaching-again-elementary-teacher-burnout-student/id1662280027]  OTHER LINKS Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast] Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough] Website: www.practicalsoluitionsforptsd.com [http://www.practicalsoluitionsforptsd.com] Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com [https://insider.grwebsite.com/] Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1128305889363441] Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com] KEYWORDS * PTSD * trauma * anxiety symptoms * seasonal depression * guilt * isolation * loneliness * Stress * creativity and healing * nervous system regulation * emotional healing

95. Why Do I Feel Worse in the Summer? 3 Hidden Causes of Summer SAD, Stress, & Trauma

Why does summer leave you feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted instead of happier? If you're struggling with anxiety symptoms, PTSD, seasonal depression, Stress, isolation, or loneliness while everyone else seems to be enjoying the season, you're not alone. In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori explores the connection between Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summer SAD), Stress, and trauma. Learn why heat, disrupted sleep, changing routines, and increased social expectations can dysregulate your nervous system, and discover practical, trauma-informed strategies to restore balance. You'll learn how to tell the difference between Summer SAD, Stress, and trauma responses, along with seven simple tools to calm your nervous system, set healthy boundaries, improve sleep, and navigate summer with greater peace and resilience. LINKS:  Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast] Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough [https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough] Website: www.practicalsoluitionsforptsd.com [http://www.practicalsoluitionsforptsd.com] Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com [https://insider.grwebsite.com/] Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1128305889363441] Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com [info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com]   Primary Keywords * PTSD * Boundaries * Guilt * Loneliness * Isolation * Summer SAD * Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder * seasonal depression * anxiety symptoms * PTSD * Stress * trauma * nervous system regulation * mental health * emotional overwhelm