#41: Managing Christmas Overwhelm - Insights and Strategies for Parents with Dr Gracie Mc Laven

Hello Therapy: Mental Health Tips For Personal Growth

Are you a parent feeling the Christmas overwhelm and want some tools to help that?
In this episode Dr Liz White is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Gracie McLaven to discuss the mounting stress parents face leading up to and during the Christmas period. They explore common triggers of holiday-related anxiety, such as overstimulation and the mental load of organising festive activities, and provide practical psychological tools to help parents manage their mental health.
Dr Gracie emphasises the importance of regulating one's nervous system, maintaining realistic expectations, and focusing on meaningful traditions. They also discuss the potential impact of grief, trauma, and loneliness during this time, and advocate for self-care and seeking support from friends and professionals.
Episode Highlights
03:22 The Mental Load of Parenting During Christmas
05:13 Managing Children's Emotions and Routine Changes
06:10 Emotional Challenges and Family Dynamics
19:30 Practical Tips for Preventing Overwhelm
31:05 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
This week's guest
Dr. Gracie McLaven is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in trauma, attachment and women’s mental health. She is the Director of Brain Body Wealth, a psychology practice offering tailored services for individuals and corporate clients. Gracie is also the founder of The Female Mental Health Collective, a growing community committed to supporting women and their mental health across the lifespan.
Website - Brain Body Wealth
Website - FHM Collective
Instagram - Brain Body Wealth
Instagram - FHM Collective

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DISCLAIMER - The Hello Therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Liz White (DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS, CSci, HCPC reg.), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute personalised advice. Please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional if you need support.

Luvut

1. Introduction to Hello Therapy Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Understanding Christmas Overwhelm for Parents (00:00:28)

3. Introducing Dr. Gracie McLaven (00:01:11)

4. The Mental Load of Parenting During Christmas (00:03:22)

5. Managing Children's Emotions and Routine Changes (00:05:13)

6. Emotional Challenges and Family Dynamics (00:06:10)

7. Practical Tips for Preventing Overwhelm (00:20:06)

8. The Importance of Self-Care for Parents (00:31:41)

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (00:39:48)