Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships

Have you ever talked through your anxiety and still felt unsettled afterward?You’re not alone—many people turn to talking as a way to feel better, but it doesn’t always bring the calm you’re hoping for.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why anxiety naturally pushes you to talk—and why it can feel helpful in the momentHow talking can quietly reinforce anxiety by strengthening thoughts and storiesHow to recognize when your way of talking is helping you feel calmer—or keeping you stuck Take 8 minutes to better understand your anxiety patterns—you’re worth it.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.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. 

What actually helps someone you love in midlife when they’re facing a life changing crisis and you don’t know what to do?There is a steady, thoughtful way to show up that supports them without adding pressure or overwhelm.In this episode, you’ll discover:How simple, practical actions like meals and check-ins can ease stress without overwhelming the person or their familyWhy asking permission and respecting boundaries strengthens trust and reduces anxiety for everyone involvedHow to stay present and supportive without over-talking, over-helping, or pulling away Take 19 minutes to feel more confident in how you show up for someone you love—you’re worth it.Send us Fan Mail****About the Host:MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.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. 

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 Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and  practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN.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.