Practical Solutions for PTSD | Anxiety Symptoms, Seasonal Depression, Isolation, Stress, Guilt, Boundaries, Loneliness

What happens when saying yes to everyone starts costing you what matters most?

In part 1 of this conversation, Raquel Ita shares how a disappointing work evaluation led her to pray, reflect, and recognize where people-pleasing, stress, and overcommitment were affecting her life.

After discovering that committees were consuming up to 40% of her work time, she completed a time audit, began setting healthier boundaries, and worked with her boss to step away from commitments that no longer fit her role.

The result? Better work, deeper focus, stronger connections with family and friends, and more time with God.

If PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, isolation, guilt, or loneliness have left you feeling overwhelmed or stretched too thin, this conversation offers a practical place to start: look at where your time is actually going.

Raquel also shares the faith lesson she’s still practicing: focus on what God has asked you to do and leave the results in His hands.

LINKS: 

Setting Boundaries in Corporate

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

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Keywords: boundaries, stress, anxiety symptoms, PTSD, depression, seasonal depression, SAD, isolation, guilt, loneliness, communication, people-pleasing, time audit, faith

Why does your life feel overwhelming when, on paper, you really don’t have that much going on?

When you're dealing with stress, anxiety symptoms, PTSD, depression, guilt, loneliness, or isolation, even everyday decisions can feel exhausting. You may be functioning, but barely. Your focus is scattered, your energy is low, and adding another “healthy habit” to your list sounds like the last thing you need.

But what if the answer isn't doing more?

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores how simple routines and predictable anchors can reduce decision fatigue, create structure, and support your emotional health without turning your life into a rigid schedule.

You'll discover why routine can be especially helpful when you're overwhelmed, emotionally shutting down, struggling with boundaries and communication, or preparing for seasonal depression and SADs.

You don't need a perfect routine. You need a few things your brain can count on.

You're not broken. You're equipped. And sometimes that starts with making life a little easier to navigate.

LINKS: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

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Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

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Keywords:

Have you been making yourself smaller just to avoid judgment, conflict, or feeling like you're "too much"?

When PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, stress, guilt, loneliness, or isolation affect how you see yourself, even recognizing your own strengths can feel uncomfortable.

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, we're exploring the character strength of Humility and why humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It's learning to see yourself clearly without shame, comparison, or self-erasure.

You'll discover how self-compassion, healthy boundaries, resilience, and positive psychology can help you recognize your strengths, accept your limitations, receive support, and stop confusing humility with making yourself invisible.

Because you don't have to become smaller to be humble.

You can acknowledge your strengths, honor your needs, and still remain open to growth.

LINKS: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths:

Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing

Keywords: anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, SAD, isolation, guilt, loneliness, communication, boundaries, PTSD, stress, depression, trauma healing, self-compassion, resilience, positive psychology, character strengths, emotional healing, relationships, overcoming anxiety, overcoming depression, Christian mental health, faith and healing, purpose, joy, deep happiness.

Why does a change in your schedule leave you feeling stressed, scattered, overwhelmed, or unable to focus?

A changed routine may seem small, but when you're already dealing with stress, anxiety symptoms, PTSD, depression, isolation, guilt, or loneliness, even ordinary schedule changes can feel like too much.

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores why schedule changes can increase stress and anxiety symptoms, especially when you're already carrying a heavy emotional load. You'll discover how more decisions, transitions, responsibilities, and less recovery time can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

You'll learn:

Why your brain benefits from predictability and routine

How schedule changes can increase mental and emotional stress

Why "I should be able to handle this" can make things worse

How to create three predictable anchors for your morning, day, and evening

How to build structure without creating more pressure

If you're functioning but barely keeping up, struggling to focus, or wondering why a schedule change is affecting you so much, this episode offers practical ways to create more predictability and less overwhelm.

You don't need a perfect routine. You need predictable anchors.

LINKS: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Keywords: 

“It’s just stress.” “It’s just anxiety.” “Other people have been through worse.” “I should be able to handle this.”

Sound familiar?

When you’re already dealing with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, stress, isolation, guilt, or loneliness, it’s easy to minimize what hurts. You keep functioning. You do the next right thing. You take care of everyone else. But underneath it all, you may be emotionally shutting down, feeling like you’re drowning, or wondering why you can’t just handle it.

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores the hidden guilt and shame that can come from believing your pain isn't “worthy” enough to talk about. Because pain isn't a competition. You don't have to have the worst story in the room to say, “This hurt me.”

You'll discover why minimizing your pain can keep you stuck, how to stop judging yourself for having a human response to something difficult, and why sharing your pain takes courage and discernment.

You don't have to tell everyone your story. You need people you trust to honor your pain without minimizing, comparing, fixing, or judging it.

And most importantly:

You don't have to prove that your pain is bad enough before you're allowed to acknowledge that it hurts.

Sometimes you don't need someone else to tell you your pain is worthy.

You need to stop requiring yourself to earn the right to hurt.

LINKS:

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

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KEYWORDS:

Everything feels like too much? You may be closer to your emotional limit than you realize.

When stress, anxiety symptoms, PTSD, overwhelm, isolation, guilt, loneliness, and seasonal depression pile up, your stress bucket can fill before you even realize you're running on empty. You may still be functioning, showing up, and taking care of everyone else while underneath the surface you're thinking, “I can't handle one more thing.”

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens reveals 3 signs your stress bucket is already full and how to recognize emotional overload before it turns into burnout.

You'll discover why:

Small things can suddenly feel HUGE

Everything can start feeling urgent

You can rest without actually recovering

Guilt and people-pleasing can quietly fill your stress bucket

Isolation and loneliness can make overwhelm even heavier

Stress and anxiety symptoms can make it harder to focus, connect, and enjoy the things you once loved

Most importantly, you'll learn how to recognize when your emotional capacity is maxed out and identify what you can remove, postpone, or release before your bucket overflows.

You don't have to wait until you're burned out to admit you're overwhelmed. Sometimes the next step isn't doing more.

It's making room.

LINK: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

KEYWORDS: 

Do you second-guess every decision or feel like someone else is more qualified? PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, and stress can leave you doubting yourself and wondering if your voice still matters.

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens continues the Not Broken. Equipped. series by exploring the character strength of Leadership. Discover why leadership isn't about titles or control. It's about influencing others through courage, compassion, and everyday choices.

You'll learn how trauma impacts confidence and decision-making, why anxiety fuels overthinking, how depression steals your sense of purpose, and four practical ways to rebuild confidence by leading with your values.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or simply functioning but barely, this episode will remind you that your life still has influence, and one faithful next step can make a lasting difference.

You'll learn:

How leadership supports PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, and seasonal depression

Four simple ways to grow healthy leadership every day

How to lead with confidence instead of fear

LINKS: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths:

Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing

Keywords: PTSD, PTSD recovery, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, stress, guilt, isolation, boundaries, Positive Psychology, resilience, confidence, purpose, leadership, decision-making, emotional wellness, overcoming anxiety, overcoming depression.

Burnout isn't just about doing too much. It's often the result of chronic stress, perfectionism, and living in survival mode.

In this special two-part conversation, Lori Owens welcomes former nurse and holistic health coach Shan Wright to explore the connection between PTSD, anxiety symptoms, stress, burnout, chronic inflammation, and emotional health. Together, they discuss how perfectionism, people-pleasing, poor boundaries, and unresolved stress can affect both your mind and body.

You'll learn practical, holistic strategies to calm your nervous system, reduce stress, build healthier communication and boundaries, and support lasting healing. They also explore how faith, identity, and grace can help you move beyond guilt, loneliness, and isolation toward greater peace and resilience.

If you're struggling with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression (SAD), stress, guilt, loneliness, isolation, or burnout, this two-part series offers practical tools and hope to help you heal from the inside out.

SHOW LINKS: 

https://www.theshanwright.com/

Beat Nurse Burnout Podcast

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Keywords

Burnout isn't just about doing too much. It's often the result of chronic stress, perfectionism, and living in survival mode.

In this special two-part conversation, Lori Owens welcomes former nurse and holistic health coach Shan Wright to explore the connection between PTSD, anxiety symptoms, stress, burnout, chronic inflammation, and emotional health. Together, they discuss how perfectionism, people-pleasing, poor boundaries, and unresolved stress can affect both your mind and body.

You'll learn practical, holistic strategies to calm your nervous system, reduce stress, build healthier communication and boundaries, and support lasting healing. They also explore how faith, identity, and grace can help you move beyond guilt, loneliness, and isolation toward greater peace and resilience.

If you're struggling with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression (SAD), stress, guilt, loneliness, isolation, or burnout, this two-part series offers practical tools and hope to help you heal from the inside out.

SHOW LINKS: 

https://www.theshanwright.com/

Beat Nurse Burnout Podcast

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Keywords

Feeling hopeless, stuck, or overwhelmed by PTSD, anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, or stress? Hope can be rebuilt.

After trauma, anxiety, or depression, your brain can become focused on what could go wrong instead of what could go right. But hope isn't something you either have or don't have. It's a skill you can strengthen.

In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens shares a simple positive psychology exercise that takes less than five minutes and helps retrain your brain to notice possibility, build emotional resilience, and take the next step forward.

You'll learn how trauma affects your view of the future, why anticipation builds hope, and one practical question to help you move from feeling stuck to finding possibility.

If you're struggling with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, stress, depression, guilt, or isolation, this episode gives you a simple tool to reconnect with hope.

LINKS: 

Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast

Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Session

Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com

Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com

Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook

Get in touch! [email protected]

Keywords: PTSD, anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, stress, guilt, loneliness, isolation, boundaries, positive psychology, hope, emotional resilience, trauma recovery.