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 😊 What does it mean to be...

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 m...

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!!! Connect with us Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!) TikTok: Short clips and stories YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversat...

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 Connect with us Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!) TikTok: Short clips and stories YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets Women’s...

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 Connect with us Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!) TikTok: Short clips and stories YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation **The information shared in this...

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 gratef...

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. Connect with us Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!) TikTok: Short clips and stories YouTube: Full episodes + video sn...

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...

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...

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-...

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.ta...

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 pas...

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...

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 ca...

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...

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 he...

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! Connect with us...

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 abo...

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...

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. C...

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-k...

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-ep...

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 descripti...

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 ou...