Consider Yourself Hugged

Welcome back, friends! This is our final episode of the Developing Emotional Maturity series, and I hope it’s been helpful to you. Thank you all for commenting and helping me choose the new CYH 2024 logo. I personally love it and the graphic designer is super talented! I hope you like the new opening as well. Now, onward!Week 1, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest, as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to that episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool to help you gauge where you're at on this path. Link in show notes.The next week we dove into the first 3: self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. I gave you 10 tips for each of these, and the link to that episode and the tip sheets – you know – in the show notes 😊Last week we dove into 3 more hallmarks of emotional maturity: responsibility, adaptability, and resilience.  I gave you 10 tips for each of those - and the link to that episode and the tip sheets are in the show notes.Today we’re finishing up with the final four: effective communication, conflict resolution, realistic optimism, and healthy relationships. As always, sit back, relax, grab your coffee and let’s grow!Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiv.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/

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Welcome back, fellow Hug Seekers! I hope February has been great for you.In this series, first we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool from the show notes to help you gauge where you're at on this path.Next, in Part II we talked about the 1st 3 hallmarks. Join me today as I dive into next first three hallmarks of emotional maturity. So, grab your notebook, or coffee or just settle in as we explore these transformative qualities together.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiii.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/

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Welcome back, friends! Happy Day before Valentine’s Day! I hope February has been great for you.Last week, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest, not just in the context of Valentine's Day but as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool from the show notes to help you gauge where you're at on this path.I’ve been thinking more about this and why it’s important to me, and I realize it’s because for most of my entire life I was the OPPOSITE of emotional maturity.Join me today as I deep into the first three hallmarks of emotional maturity. So, grab your notebook, or coffee or just settle in as we explore these transformative qualities together.Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotionalmaturitypartiiThanks 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/

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

My desire to delve into emotional maturity was actually sparked by a recent incident that brought to light the importance of understanding and managing our emotions. This incident reminded me of the complexities of our emotional responses and the impact they have on our interactions. Emotional maturity, a topic I realized I hadn't explored in depth for some time, is crucial for navigating life's ups and downs. It involves understanding our feelings, how we express them, and how we relate to others. Reflecting on my own growth since that incident, I recognize the shift in my emotional responses. Where once I might have reacted with frustration or confusion, I now approach such situations with empathy and a deeper understanding of the underlying struggles.This journey towards emotional maturity is ongoing and deeply personal. It's about developing self-awareness, learning to regulate our emotions, and improving our interactions with others. I hope you’ll join me for a few weeks to explore the crazy world of emotions! We’ll start with a self-assessment (you can download from show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotional-maturity-part-i) and then dive in to 10 hallmarks of emotional maturity. As a preview, here they are: 1. Self-Awareness: It all starts with the man or woman in the mirror. Knowing your emotional ins and outs, what ticks you off, what makes you tick, and how you ripple into the world around you.2. Self-Regulation: Ever felt like a soda can, shaken and ready to burst? We'll talk about keeping the lid on, not by bottling things up, but by managing reactions in a way that serves us better.3. Empathy: Walking a mile in someone else's shoes, feeling their joy, their pain, without judgment or agenda. It's about connection, understanding, and sometimes, just being there.4. Responsibility: Owning up to our part in life's play, not in a blame-game way, but with a mature acceptance of our role in the events and outcomes of our lives.5. Adaptability: Life's a dance, and the music changes often. We'll explore how to sway with grace, pivot with purpose, and maybe even enjoy the rhythm changes.6. Resilience: When life knocks us down, do we bounce back or crack? We're talking about cultivating a bounce-back spirit that sees setbacks as setups for comebacks.7. Effective Communication: Ever lost in translation, even in your native tongue? We're diving into how to express what's really going on inside, in a way that's heard, understood, and respected.8. Conflict Resolution: Not every disagreement needs to end in a duel. Sometimes, it's about finding common ground, agreeing to disagree, or even turning conflicts into opportunities for growth.9. Realistic Optimism: Keeping hope alive without living in La La Land. We're balancing dreams with reality, positivity with pragmatism.10. Healthy Relationships: The people we surround ourselves with can lift us up or weigh us down. We'll look at nurturing bonds that are enriching, energizing, and genuinely reciprocal.I’ll share insights, experiences, and strategies for fostering emotional growth, all aimed at helping you navigate life with greater resilience and understanding!OK let’s go! Together, let's embark on this exploration, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our journey towards emotional maturity.Thanks for joining! Find the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotional-maturity-part-i**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/ Connect with me: https://www.tamiwest.com/ Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars email me [email protected]

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Hello, everyone! First, I want to start with a heartfelt thank you. Your kindness has been a beacon during my recovery, and I'm pleased to say I'm doing well – the stitches are out, and my head is clear, all thanks to your well-wishes!Our AI Adventure: In this special episode, my son Jamie and I share the evolution of our work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a journey that's as personal as it is professional. We're not just mother and son; we're collaborators on a mission to demystify AI and make it accessible to everyone.First, The Birth of "Still Human AI Workshops":Our conversations have been filled with excitement and ideas that led us to create the "Still Human AI Workshops". This is our way of building a bridge between humans and technology through a subscription-based Patreon community. See show notes for more information.Exclusive Content: Monthly live Zoom webinars, a private Discord group, and a resource archive – it's all part of the package.Building Community: We aim to cultivate a space where everyone feels welcome to learn, discuss, and grow in their understanding of AI.Second, AI Lunch & Learns:Alongside our workshops, we're hosting free AI Lunch & Learn sessions every third Friday of the month – a snapshot of AI's potential in a concise, one-hour format.Personalizing AI:Jamie's enthusiasm is infectious as he talks about the personal side of AI – how it can help plan a special recipe or enrich family moments. AI isn't just about efficiency; it's about enriching our lives with attention to the details that matter. Click here to register.Journey to This Moment:The road here has been filled with learning and experimentation. Three years ago, Jamie started an AI company, and it's transformed just as much as the industry itself. From tackling politics to navigating the pandemic's challenges, his company's growth parallels our growing fascination and expertise with AI.Bottom Line - here are the 2 options:For Subscribers: First Friday of every month, 12-1 PM CST – where the magic happens with extended Q&A and hands-on learning. See show notes for more informationOpen to All: Third Friday of every month, 12-1 PM CST – an overview of AI in digestible bites. See show notes for more information.Our Vision:We're here to reassure you that AI doesn't have to be daunting. As I reflect on my own path with AI, which began with a creative project for my husband's 60th birthday, I realize how much these tools have to offer. They're here to assist, to inspire, and to connect us in ways we're just beginning to understand.Join us on this enlightening journey into the world of AI. Whether through our "Still Human AI Workshops" or the AI Lunch & Learns, we promise to guide you with a gentle hand and an open heart ❤️*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources here: Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/embracingai

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Hi friends and welcome to the notes for my first Facebook Live/Podcast/YouTube of 2024. Happy New Year!! Michelle and Gracie will be joining me from time to time as guests host, so you'll see a few more changes to graphics, etc. a bit down the road. I'm going to share 8 of those lessons - some longer than others. Here’s a summary, and be sure to listen to hear more details! 1. The Importance of Presence and MindfulnessAccidents often occur when we’re distracted. Being more present in our surroundings can help prevent such incidents.2. The Vulnerability of HealthHealth can be taken for granted. An accident like this serves as a reminder of how quickly our situation can change and the importance of health insurance and emergency plans.3. The Significance of Self-Care After an injury, taking the time to properly heal and not rushing recovery is crucial for long-term well-being.4. The Role of Emotional ResilienceFacing a sudden and painful event tests our emotional resilience. Discuss how to cope with such events and the importance of seeking support.5. The Need for Physical Safety in the HomeThis incident could lead to a discussion about pet-proofing the home and making the environment safer to prevent falls and injuries.6. The Importance of Emergency PreparednessKnowing what to do in case of an emergency, from first aid to having emergency contacts in place, can make a significant difference.7. The Benefit of Humor and PositivityMaintaining a sense of humor and a positive outlook, even when dealing with pain and setbacks, can positively affect mental health and recovery.8. The Value of Community and Support SystemsDon’t be afraid to reach out for help from friends, family, or professional services when dealing with the aftermath of an accident.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/ Connect with me: https://www.tamiwest.com/ Facebook.com/tamiwestseminars email me [email protected]

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Join us today as Michelle shares a personal story of being with her sister in the ER and then guides us in a conversation centered on finding comfort. This is our last episode of the season, so be sure to stay in touch!What gives you comfort in difficult situations?· Humor!· Having people around you· Having someone ask you what you need or if you need help.· Warmth: blankets, holding warm beverages like hot chocolate, heating pad, being swaddled.· Beautiful spaces· Mindfulness/meditation· Exercise· Food · Sharing a meal with someone· Therapeutic uncomfortable silence 😊· Be present when others need us· Connecting to something greater· Being accepting of people where they are· Be comfortable being uncomfortableComfort Theory: Any type of healing can be enhanced by comfort. The comfort domains are:· Physical· Sociocultural· Psychospiritual· Environmental On the flip side, comfort can be frowned upon. For example the belief that Comfort is the enemy of progress. This can be used in physical training like Cross-fit. Let’s look at it this way: You can’t feel physical comfort while you are building yourself physically, but you can feel comfort emotionally/mentally while going through difficult situations.How much of our comfort is related to safety? Today's Links:The Green Sweater Grief episode: https://www.tamiwest.com/post/cyh-episode-88-thanksgiving-grief-covid-and-the-jacuzzi-turkey

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Join us today as Gracie guides us in a discussion about the differences between toxic positivity and healthy positive attitude. We all want good outcomes in our relationships and interactions, but sometimes “good” doesn’t necessarily mean comfortable. And sometimes “comfortable” isn’t healthy. Being aware and purposeful about our motivations, intentions, and having a good understanding of our feelings, can result in a deeper examination and understanding of our wants, needs, and appropriate boundaries. Using that information to look at our personal patterns in those relationships and interactions allows us to make and maintain healthy dynamics!The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.orgMental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

Join us today as Christian Woods helps us understand what self-sabotage is and how to overcome it. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Join us today to hear her story of how she changed her life! (Complete show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/self-sabotage-with-christina-woods). Highlights: Tell yourself a better lieSelf-sabotage is grounded in I’m not enough-ness.What can self-sabotage look like:1. Procrastination2. Sleep3. Dating people that don’t treat us well4. Poor health choices5. How we spend/don’t spend $6. Words we say to ourselvesHow to overcome:1. Find out your limiting beliefs2. Reframe and rewire themAbout Christina Woods, CEO | Founder Woods Hypnotherapy & CoachingWebsite: https://www.wisewoods.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewoodshypnotherapy/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.woodsvaronFree Giveaway/To grab a free Downloadable Limitless Hypno-Meditation: https://www.wisewoods.com/freebies Book a Free Clarity Call with Christina: https://bookchristinartt.as.me/freeexploratorycallWebsite | Facebook | InstagramJoin my Private Facebook Group Here!Download Your Free Limitless Mind & Spirit Hypno-Meditation!*Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes.

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.

So how did this episode come about? In August, I did a week long professional development for teachers out in Houston about mental health. When one of the teachers left, she said, “Hey, do you have any podcast episodes about the effects of our mental health as parents on our children?” I said no and then thought, Oh, that would be great. I asked my counselor. I said, “Hey, I think I'm going to do a podcast episode where I asked my kids how my mental health affected them growing up, what do you think?” And she said, “No!” What she meant was I was basically saying, “Hey, tell me what a terrible parent I was when you were growing up?” Then she had a couple of suggestions, which were really good. It was Jamie, who actually said, “Why don't we just talk about what it's like to be part of a family where we have all struggles?” So that’s what we did. My hope and prayer on this World Mental Health Day is that this will inspire you. We all have a past. We all have struggles. I hope that you will seek help when you need it, forgive when you can, and be a part of creating a world in which mental health is no longer stigmatized. Thank you for joining my family chat! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/familymentalhealthchallenges

Connect with us

• Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!)
• TikTok: Short clips and stories
• YouTube: Full episodes + video snippets
• Women’s Group: A Place for Women—ongoing conversation

**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and 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/ 

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.