Welcome back! Today, Michelle and I are so excited to share something new—a book club! We’re diving into stories that inspire and impact us, blending fun and learning along the way. We’re starting with two very different books: Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough’s From Here to the Great Unknown and Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place.

We’ll be talking about the lessons these books taught us, how they’ve influenced our perspectives, and how they might resonate with you. Whether you’re a bookworm, audiobook lover, or just curious, we’d love for you to join us on this journey! We want you to have time to read or listen to the book if you’d like, but even if you don’t please join us. We’ll explain the basic plot, and the lessons will be powerful.

Show notes with links at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/page-turners-and-life-changers-lessons-from-our-favorite-books

Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/page-turners-and-life-changers-lessons-from-our-favorite-books

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

Hey friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can you believe it? Last time we recorded, it was right before Christmas, and now it’s just before New Year’s. If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out, it’s officially New Year’s Day. Cheers to fresh starts!

Let’s be honest—resolutions can be tricky. Did you know 80% fail by February, and only 8% of people actually achieve them? Here’s why:

1. Goals are often too vague or unrealistic.

2. People rely solely on willpower—and let’s face it, that’s exhausting.

3. No clear plan or system to follow.

4. They’re based on societal pressure rather than personal values.

Today let's dive into how to do it better!

Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/are-you-ready-for-change-in-the-new-year-final-holiday-mental-health-guide.

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org

Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/

About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

Very short and sweet today - we just want to express last minute thoughts about the day and wish those of you who celebrate a Very Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

🎙️ Welcome Back to Consider Yourself Hugged! In this episode, we continue our Holiday Mental Health Guide series with Part 5: Expectations, Family, Food, & Alcohol. The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, but for many, it's a source of stress and emotional strain. Today, we’re tackling four common holiday challenges that impact mental health and well-being.

Show notes with activity sheet at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/expectations-family-food-alcohol-holiday-mental-health-guide-part-5

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

Today is a repeat of a 2021 holiday episode on grief. It was so popular that it made sense to reshare. Enjoy!!

Hug 187 What's Been Your Favorite Thanksgiving?: Holiday Mental Health Guide Part 3 by Tami West

Hi friends!This week, Michelle and I are back with Part II of our Holiday Mental Health Series, and we’re diving into anxiety. If the holidays bring you feelings of overwhelm, financial stress, or family drama, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered.

What We Talk About Today:

Anxiety and Holidays Can Go Hand in Hand

Michelle and I started by sharing some eye-opening stats on how common holiday anxiety is. Did you know:

52% of people feel more anxious during the holidays.

66% experience financial stress.

24% of folks with mental health challenges say the holidays make it worse.

63% even said the holidays are more stressful than tax season!

It’s no wonder so many people struggle to feel holly jolly!

We also talked about some reasons behind the stress:

Increased Social Demands: Parties, gatherings, and the pressure to be “on” can feel overwhelming.

Financial Strain: Buying gifts, hosting meals, and traveling can stretch anyone’s budget.

Family Dynamics: Old tensions and unresolved conflicts often resurface.

Loneliness: The holidays can amplify feelings of isolation, even when you’re in a crowded room.

Unrealistic Expectations: Those Hallmark movie moments? Yeah, they don’t exist in real life.

Our Quirky Holiday Anxiety Quiz

Okay, let’s talk about the quiz! It was such a fun way to gauge where we are on the holiday anxiety scale. Michelle scored an 11, which put her solidly in the Holiday Hero category (I mean, of course, right?!). Meanwhile, I got a 16—a Festive Fence-Sitter.

Here’s the breakdown:

Holiday Hero (10–15 points): You thrive during the holidays! You’re the life of the party and keep the festive spirit alive.

Festive Fence-Sitter (16–24 points): You love the holidays, but they can feel like a lot. Boundaries and balance are your best friends.

Tinsel-Tied (25–30 points): The holidays? More like holi-daze. It’s time to simplify, breathe, and take care of YOU.

If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, check out the link below with all the activities we promised! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/navigating-anxiety-holiday-mental-health-guide-part-2.

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

Hey friends! Today, Michelle and I are diving into a topic that’s often swept under the holiday rug: depression. The holidays can be a joyful time, but they can also intensify feelings of sadness, loneliness, and stress. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about what holiday depression can look like, how to recognize it, and ways to navigate it. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to offer you some understanding, support, and maybe even a little laughter along the way.

Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/depression-during-the-holidays-holiday-mental-health-guide.

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources

National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org

Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org

Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/

About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars

Hey everyone! Welcome to our final Positive Psychology episode/celebration!

In this final episode of our Positive Psychology series, we look back at the journey we’ve taken, exploring the key insights and transformative lessons from each module. This episode brings together the core themes and strategies, offering a holistic view of how positive psychology can enhance our well-being, resilience, and joy. We’ll also share some personal reflections, including our top five tools that had the most impact, and the lessons we’ve taken to heart.

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars  

So glad you're still with us! In today’s episode, Michelle and I delve into two essential pillars of positive psychology: gratitude and communication. We’ll talk about how they’re not only key to your happiness but essential for building and maintaining strong, fulfilling relationships.

Throughout this episode, we’ll share stories, practical tips, and give you a sneak peek into the exercises we’ve included in the accompanying activity sheet. This will help you apply what we discuss in real life. Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with actionable steps you can start implementing today! Get your activity sheet in the show notes at

https://www.tamiwest.com/post/communication-gratitude-relationships-positive-psychology-part-9.

Thanks for joining!

**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:

General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:

https://www.tamiwest.com/

facebook.com/tamiwestseminars