Interoception for Parents: The Missing Link in Burnout and Overwhelm with Kelly Mahler

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a textParents are often so busy meeting everyone else’s needs that they stop noticing their own.And when that happens, burnout and overwhelm can build long before we even realise what’s going on.In this episode, I'm joined by occupational therapist and interoception expert Kelly Mahler for a conversation about why parents need to understand their own interoception, not just their child’s.Interoception is our ability to notice and make sense of the signals coming from inside the body. It helps us recognise things like hunger, tension, exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety and discomfort, the early signs that something isn’t right.But many parents are so used to pushing through, holding everything together and ignoring what their body is saying that they lose touch with those signals altogether.This episode isn’t about quick fixes or a step-by-step solution to burnout.It’s about something deeper, understanding what might be missing.Because if we don’t notice what our body is telling us, we can’t respond to it. And that’s often where burnout begins.We explore how interoception can act as a kind of internal compass helping us recognise when something feels off, when we need support, or when we are heading towards overwhelm.We also talk about how this doesn’t just apply to children. Every parent has their own sensory profile, their own internal signals, and their own limits, and learning to notice these can be a powerful first step in protecting energy and supporting wellbeing.This episode is a valuable listen for parents, carers, OTs, teachers and anyone supporting neurodivergent children or living in the reality of family life where the demands rarely stop.If you are exhausted, overwhelmed, or feel like you’re constantly coping but not really checking in with yourself, this conversation will help you understand why — and where to start.You can find Kelly here:https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ On Facebook and InstagramThank you to this season’s sponsors:Terri Wyse 👉 https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/Rachel Helm 👉 https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/If you’re supporting a child or young person struggling to access school, do reach out to them.Support the show