Episode 22: Healing Your Mindset, Coping with Holiday Triggers, and Navigating Family Dynamics with Top Neuropsychologist, Dr. Sanam Hafeez
Is it really the most wonderful time of year..? The holiday season can be tough, and we want to help. We asked you–our audience–to write in with questions and topics that you struggle with this time of year, and asked on a top expert to offer advice. Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a neuropsychologist who has been featured on media outlets such as WebMD, CNN, FOX, Business Insider, and US News and World Report. Josie and Alaina ask Dr. Hafeez your burning questions from setting boundaries with in-laws to navigating loneliness to how to deal with general exhaustion and overwhelm this time of year. We also talk about struggling with insecurities, comparison on social media, and healing your mindset to identify why you're triggered. The holidays should be merry and bright (not stressful or lonely)–this episode will help you get there.
SHOW NOTES:
The holiday season can bring up a lot of challenging emotions, so this week on The Everygirl Podcast, Josie and Alaina sit down with neuropsychologist Dr. Sanaam Hafeez to answer all of our audience’s questions about holiday triggers and mental health. The first few questions involve some of the common sadness and stress that can come during the holiday season, and Dr. Hafeez shares just how normal it is for difficult feelings to compound at this time of year. She discusses some methods that people who are introverted or tend to be overwhelmed by social events can use when they are faced with extra social time during the holiday season. Dr. Hafeez and Alaina talk about some of the complications of choosing where to spend your family time during the holiday season, and how to set boundaries. The conversation then turns to how to cope with spending the holidays away from your family, from volunteering to making sure that you spend time with friends and chosen family wherever you may be. Josie and Alaina then ask Dr. Hafeez to dive into all of her tips for family dynamics, specifically with regards to in-laws. Dr. Hafeez shares some of her strategies for making the holiday season with in-laws as smooth and enjoyable as possible for everyone. She emphasizes the important role that friends can play during the holidays, from providing a buffer at family events to providing some company during lonelier holiday seasons. The conversation then turns to dealing with social media during the holidays, and how to take a step back when you need to set a boundary for the happy holiday posts. Dr. Hafeez also provides advice for anyone navigating their first holiday season after a divorce or bad breakup, as well as tips for anyone supporting a friend in that situation. The discussion closes with a chat about managing your relationship with food and alcohol during the holidays, especially in social situations.
Must-Listen Moments:
[1:33] How to balance the extremes of holiday stress, from gift-giving to social situations
[14:57] Setting boundaries with friends and family when it comes to where you spend your time during the holiday season
[20:45] All of Dr. Hafeez’s tips for dealing with in-laws during the holidays, and how you can use this time to learn more about your spouse
[32:13] Managing your relationship with social media throughout the holiday season
[40:04] How to deal with your first holiday season after a divorce, a bad breakup, or any other challenging life event
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