Ep. 259 Why Letting Go Of Control Feels So Wrong but Actually Reduces Anxiety and Stress in Midlife

Why does letting go feel so uncomfortable?There is a meaningful way to understand this discomfort that can help you feel more calm, present, and at ease.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why letting go can initially increase anxiety and stress in midlife and why that’s actually part of the processHow your brain and body respond when you stop overplanning and begin practicing letting goThree simple ways to begin letting go so you can feel more present, flexible, and less driven by anxiety Take 13 minutes to begin practicing letting go and feel more calm—you’re worth it.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and host of the podcast Creating Midlife Calm, recognized by Maria Shriver as a “Listen of the Week.” Over the past 40 years, MJ has led more than 50,000 therapy sessions and developed the Inner Challenge mental wellness program and the Inner Challenge Master Class, practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience taught for more than 30 years in junior high schools and at the University of Notre Dame for freshman football players. Through her podcast, teaching, and coaching, MJ helps people build calmer lives, stronger relationships, and healthier communities.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.