What if, instead of battling social anxiety, you could approach it with kindness this holiday season?
With holiday gatherings right around the corner, social anxiety can feel especially overwhelming. This episode tackles how to face these events with practical strategies that make social interactions feel less intimidating and more manageable, offering a new approach for anyone who tends to dread social situations.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Three specific coping skills for grounding yourself in the present when social anxiety hits.

2. How to reduce feelings of dread by "tending and befriending" anxious thoughts instead of fighting them.

3. Practical ways hosts can make gatherings more comfortable and welcoming for guests with social anxiety.

Press play to learn simple yet powerful techniques to navigate holiday gatherings with more ease and confidence this season!

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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.

Are you tired of feeling drained and overwhelmed by holiday preparations?

In this episode of Creating Midlife Calm, MJ Murray Vachon, a licensed clinical social worker, reveals a powerful approach to designing a holiday season that centers around peace, gratitude, and genuine enjoyment. MJ shares her tried-and-true method for letting go of the pressure to create a "perfect" Thanksgiving, allowing listeners to focus on what truly matters to them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Practical strategies to let go of holiday perfectionism and embrace a fulfilling, calm, and enjoyable Thanksgiving.
2. Tips to realign your holiday activities with feelings of happiness, gratitude, and calm—without sacrificing tradition.
3. Insight on creating a balanced holiday experience that prioritizes what brings you joy and connection, rather than stress.

Transform your holiday approach to be more joyful, calm, and centered—press play to start planning a Thanksgiving that nourishes the soul.

Listen to Fan Favorite Ep. 93 5 Simple Sleep Hacks To Help You Sleep Better Tonight!

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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.

Are you tired of feeling stressed and overwhelmed by holiday planning and want a Thanksgiving that leaves you feeling calm, happy, and truly grateful?

Are your holidays more of a burden than a joy. With endless lists and expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of why you celebrate in the first place. This episode dives into three simple “ingredients” you can add to your holiday plans that will transform how your experience Thanksgiving—making it fulfilling instead of exhausting.

In this episode you’ll:

1. Discover how choosing happiness, calm, and gratitude can reshape your holiday experience from pressure-filled to peaceful.

2. Learn practical ways to simplify your Thanksgiving prep without sacrificing the joy or tradition you cherish.

3. Find permission to let go of unnecessary tasks and embrace a holiday that nurtures your well-being and connection with loved ones.

Push play to learn three powerful steps to reclaim joy and calm in your holiday planning and make this Thanksgiving one you truly enjoy.

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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.