156 | Why Setting a Daily Intention Is the Remedy to Midlife Burnout

Every single day, you wake up with intention. The problem is — it goes to someone else.In this episode, we’re talking about midlife burnout — not as exhaustion, but as what happens when your energy is automatically assigned to everyone and everything else before you’ve claimed a single drop for yourself. And we’re exploring a deceptively simple practice, inspired by the late Dr. James Doty of Stanford University, that can change that.You’ll learn:Why burnout happens when intention goes unclaimedThe neuroscience of the Reticular Activating System and why setting an intention literally programs your brainHow to write your own intention list — and choose one that sticksA morning and evening box breathing practice to bookend your day with intentionThis one is simple. Beautiful. And it works.Resources & Links:Check out more of Valerie’s writing on her blog, ‘Oh, Hello Midlife’. And if you sign up for the newsletter, as a thank you, we’ll send you the “10 Min. Calm Kit for Sandwich Generation Moms.” It includes three guided sessions for morning, mid-day, and bedtime, so you can find your calm in the midst of this chaotic season of life.Check out the episode with Dr. Doty on the Mel Robbins Show, truly a must-listenListen to Episode 154 | The Hidden Midlife Tax—Cortisol (Two Breathing Techniques to Reduce the Stress)You’re listening to the right show, formerly known as the Mindful Life Changes or Mindful Career Change. We’ve pivoted through the years, but finally landed on the right path: content for moms in the ‘Sandwich Generation’, because midlife disruption doesn't have to break you. New episodes drop on:Sundays: 20-min episodes addressing common midlife challenges with practical strategies plus a mindfulness practice (affirmations, mantras, or meditations)Wednesdays: Bite-sized episodes to reinforce Sunday's mindfulness technique & reset your weekMore from The Mindful Midlife Mom:Discover Valerie's articles on ohhellomidlife.com or watch her videos on YouTube @ohhellomidlifeThis podcast explores patience, meditation, confidence, presence, and overcoming resentment while cultivating calm, peace, mindfulness, clarity, mantras, and addressing loneliness and burn out; it covers boundaries, caregiving, guilt, affirmations, working moms, self-care, midlife crisis, empty nesters, empowerment, people pleasing, compassion fatigue, family caregiving, stress relief, self-worth, stress management, and how to shift from reactive to centered when feeling short tempered, offering tools for self acceptance, easing mental exhaustion, building emotional resilience, harnessing inner strength, and preventing caregiver fatigue for those in the sandwich generation through expert advice on boundaries setting.