Your Zen Friend

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If you, a friend or family member is expecting a baby or has given birth in the past twelve months, then this episode is sure to be a helpful one! Listen in for a candid and informative interview with licensed professional counselor, Carol Ann Murphy. Carol Ann shares important information about how prevalent postpartum mental health challenges are, what symptoms new moms should watch for and how to access help and support if needed. Carol Ann and host Lauren Wolfe also share about their own mental health challenges following the birth of their children and how they overcame them. 

This episode contains helpful resources for new moms as well as practical suggestions for how partners, family members and friends can support new mothers. One of the resources mentioned is the program Carol Ann created called, “Spilled Milk.” This is an online resource (that will be available soon) and will be accessible for new moms from anywhere in the world. Spilled Milk, was designed by Carol Ann to offer needed support to mothers in order to boost their mental wellness in the first year of parenthood. This is a resource I wish I had when my kids were born in the early 2000's! 

Listen in to find out how you can be proactive in caring for your own mental health as a new mom or support someone you care about. And if you find this episode helpful, please share it with a friend! 

On this episode Carol Ann mentions the following resources:

PSI or Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/?utm_source=google_cpc&utm_medium=ad_grant&utm_campaign=cbc_ggrant_CBCGrant|BrandedMXC&gclid=CjwKCAiAk9itBhASEiwA1my_6xcEpjHrizv6RADBgLaqqF2rXBDesDLo38xRn2jAHwj394tL4TwJERoCDrEQAvD_BwE

Contact Carol Ann or find out more about her online resources and support for moms of newborns (get on the waitlist here): https://www.spilledmilk.info/

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend
Email me at: [email protected]
Find me on instagram @YourZenFriendPod

For information on Lauren's counseling services, including her upcoming group counseling for children and teens check out: www.LaurenCounseling.com

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

If you want to embrace a little Hygge on a difficult day, then this meditation is for you! On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a short meditation designed to help you get super comfy and cozy and feel more calm and relaxed. 

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

As a parent, you're likely feeling overwhelmed on a daily basis. On this episode I will tell you all about the Danish practice of Hygge. I'll tell you what it is and how you can use it to create less chaos and more calm for you and your family.

Using the book "The Little Book of Hygge" by Meik Wiking, I'll tell you how you can easily invite in more comfort, calmness and relaxation into your household. And good news, creating a Hygge practice does not need to be expensive. You can easily use items you already have at home to increase your coziness and decrease your stress.

I'll also tell you how your children will benefit from the practice of Hygge. And I'll tell you how you can use Hygge to create a healthy practice of self care that also sets loving limits for your kids.

So go get your comfy socks, your softest blanket and a hot cup something delicious! It's time to get you Hygge on!

Mentioned on this episode: The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking https://amzn.to/3vLcDrn

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend

Email me at: [email protected]

Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/

For information on Lauren's counseling services for kids, teens and families check out: https://www.laurencounseling.com/

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

On this week's Drop of Zen I will guide you through a short meditation for when you are having trouble connecting with your tween or teen. This meditation will help you to offer yourself love and compassion. It will remind you that parenting is hard and and it's common to have times of disconnect with tweens and teens. This meditation will also help to take a one step this week toward's fostering a better connection. 

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Parents often ask me how they can get their tweens and teens to talk to them more. So on this episode I have my 20 year old daughter, Leena, (AKA Queen Leens), here with me to tell us what gets kids talking to their parents. Leena will tell us what I did right to get her talking and keep her talking throughout her tween and teen years.

I am lucky that Leena has always shared a lot about what was going on in her life. But there were times when we struggled with communication. Leena and I will talk about some of those challenges, including a fashion choice I disagreed with. I refer to this as "Tube Top Gate," and we have some laughs as we remember our past disagreements. I also have some insight in real time as to what I could have done differently to lesson the arguments about  wearing a tube top to school.

Some of the strategies that we discuss in this episode include parents doing the following: deeply listening, validating, putting themselves in their tween or teen's shoes, remaining neutral (at least on the outside), being non judgmental and talking about difficult topics when they are not in the middle of a heated disagreement.

It's 100% normal for tweens and teens to keep some things to themselves. But if if you want to get your kids to talk to you when it matters then listen in for some helpful strategies to get your tweens and teens talking and keep them talking to YOU!

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:

FFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend

Email me at: [email protected]

Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/

If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a short meditation designed to help you identify a goal that can help you to enhance or improve your life in some way. 

This meditation is perfect to do at the start of a new year or anytime you would like to set and keep a new goal. 

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

On this episode I'll review the goals I set for myself at the start of last year, including whether or not I finally organized my Tupperware. I'll tell what lead to being successful with some of my goals. I'll also tell you why I was not successful with other goals. 

Whether you have created a New Year's resolution or are setting goals at another time of the year, I'll give you three strategies that will achieve success. And I'll tell you how I'm applying these strategies for the goals I have set for myself in 2024. I am definitely feeling confident this time around! 

On this episode I mention:

"Your Zen Friend," Episode #11 - Reflecting on the Past and Setting Intentions for the Future
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/reflecting-on-the-past-and-setting-intentions/id1646833026?i=1000591979211

Author and podcast host Gretchen Rubin and her podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin." Check it out for lots of great tips on forming habits.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin/id969519520

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend

Email me at: [email protected]

Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/

If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Drop of Zen ~ On this episode I will guide you through a short meditation to invite in a sense of peace. I will talk you through seeing a beautiful, warm, white light and ask you to envision it slowly shining over you. 

This is a great meditation to do when you can lie down and invite yourself to relax deeply. Perfect to do at the end of a day or when you need a short but relaxing break. 

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Have you ever felt the pressure of being the perfect parent during the holiday season? I know I have. In this lively chat with my dear friend Lori Simon, we share laughs, struggles, and strategies for navigating the holiday season without losing our sanity. From tackling the tricky topic of Santa's existence to the dilemmas around gift-giving and wrapping, we explore it all. We even recommend a fantastic little book called "Santa's Secret Society" to keep the magic alive for your young ones.

The festive season brings joy, but it can also bring stress, especially for us parents. We share our personal experiences and learnings on how embracing experiences over material gifts can create lasting memories. We even talk about the pressure of being the traditional mother at Christmas and the mental drain it can be. This conversation is all about finding joy in the small moments and the big ones, letting go of perfection, and focusing on what really matters - spending time with our loved ones.

As we wrap up the episode (and our gifts!), we want to remind you to check in with yourselves this holiday season. Are you doing what truly matters to you? Are you finding joy amidst the hustle and bustle? Are you letting yourself change and let go of certain things? It's helpful to keep asking ourselves these questions. We're wishing you a happy holiday season and a fantastic new year! XO

In this episode we mention:

Your Zen Friend Episode #11: Holiday Fantasy vs Holiday Reality with Lori Simon: #https://www.laurencounseling.com/podcast/episode/79f1acf7/holiday-fantasy-vs-holiday-reality-with-lori-simon

Book - Ssshh... Santa's Secret Society Where Secrets are Unlocked and the Magic of Santa Lives on Forever: https://www.amazon.com/Ssshh-Santas-Secret-Society-Unlocked/dp/0615558143

Wrapping Paper Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/Original-Little-ELF-Holiday-Wrapping/dp/B07V738J4Y

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend

Email me at: [email protected]

Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/

If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Drop of Zen ~ On this episode I will guide you through a short breathing exercise designed to help you feel more calm and grounded. This breathing exercise is perfect to practice during hectic times (like the holiday season)  but can be done at any time. Enjoy!

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.