Consider Yourself Hugged

Consider Yourself Hugged

Thanks for visiting with us at for Consider Yourself Hugged: Mental & emotional well-being.” Do you find yourself thinking, "Life can be so overwhelming! I feel so frustrated all the time! I worry about everything! I wish I could speak up more and not be a doormat!" If you're looking for improved mental and emotional well-being, please join me every Wednesday as we talk about how to make positive choices in your life. *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. About me: Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Her passion stems from a lifelong battle with an anxiety disorder which has uniquely equipped her to teach, encourage, and motivate others. Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity. Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including two books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. She is a mother of eight in a blended family and enjoys reading historical fiction, traveling with her husband Tim and family, and watching The Big Bang Theory.

Episodes

June 11, 2024 69 mins
Welcome Fellow Huggers for the last time this season!! Today, Michelle Kixmiller joins me for the first time in a bit 😊 You are going to be SO blessed by what she has to say. FYI, below are her notes & suggestions, but be sure to listen to hear the touching story of her brother. In today’s episode, titled “Loving Someone to Death,” we delve into the crucial topic of mental health awareness, focusing on addiction, codependency, an...
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Yearbooks are snapshots of a time we often look back on with mixed emotions. For some, they encapsulate memories of friendships, triumphs, and the journey of self-discovery. For others, they are a reminder of challenging times, struggles with identity, and the harsh realities of adolescence. This is especially true for those who, like me, were quiet, bullied, and not popular. My middle school and high school years were marked by a ...
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Welcome to week 5 of Mental Health Awareness Month! Today I'm discussing two seemingly unrelated topics: The 1976 Chowchilla kidnappings and the death by suicide of golfer Grayson Murray. In 1976, 26 elementary and middle school kids and their bus driver were kidnapped by 3 armed men, their faces covered with panty hose. They were driven around for 11 hours and eventually forced to climb into a 26' trailer buried underground. Aft...
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Welcome to week 4 of Mental Health Awareness Month! Today is a bit different as I'm simply going to share a very personal story with you about my epiphanies about bullying, my bully, forgiveness, and more! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/bullying-to-empowerment. 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 ...
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In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, week 3, we're diving into another crucial aspect of mental wellbeing: Celebration! This week I'm using more recommended resources from the National Council for Mental Well-being, the organization that sponsors the Mental Health First Aid course. You may know I am passionate about teaching that class! But I'm also diving a bit deeper with 4 suggestions of my own: 1. Decide if you want ...
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In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, week 2,  we're diving into a crucial topic: Leading by example, and in particular: self-care. It's not just a buzzword; it's a vital part of maintaining our mental health. This week I'm using some recommended resources from the National Council for Mental Well-being, the organization that sponsors the Mental Health First Aid course. You may know I am passionate about teaching that class! ...
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Welcome to May - Mental Health Awareness Month! Each week this month we'll dive into practices that will help you with your mental wellbeing. This week? Meditation with Dr. FF, as she is affectionately known. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-awareness-month-part-i-meditation. Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson lives in Michigan where she does all the things writing. She is busy doing academic endeavors when she would...
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Last Wednesday I had 2 events on the same day (Listen to the full story.) While getting out of the car at my 2nd event, I fell and face-planted on the asphalt in the parking lot. The lesson that applies to our time today? The event was a women’s workshop sponsored by the White House Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s in my hometown, so I know the leaders – 3 wonderful women! Tim was with me, and a few minutes after the fall (I still w...
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In today's episode, we'll explore the intricate relationship between women, at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-iii-money. Personal Reflections on Money Growing up with financial instability can leave a lasting impact. Here are some reflections on how a poor understanding of money can affect decisions and stress levels: - My childhood in poverty taught me that money was something to be spent immediately....
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Recently I listened to a stress management podcast. I really liked her style and her content. It was odd, but there was one thing she said that struck me as she spoke about journaling: When we put our worries onto paper, it moves them from the emotions center to the thinking center. And then she moved on. I thought, "I’ve given advice like that before. And moved on." What I found myself wanting was examples. Stories. What did it ...
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How embarrassing that I had no idea April is National Stress Awareness Month. Of course, I’m not a fan of the word, but I am a fan of helping people deal with this concept we call stress. I was walking Charlies this morning, thinking Oh I’ll just do 4 sessions about stress, that’s what I do, that’ll be easy! But it wasn’t. I’ve been speaking about stress for about 20 years, and today I felt a real burden to try a different approac...
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March 27, 2024 20 mins
Today, I have a strongly worded message for my pal, Perfectionism: Get out of my life.... today!!! I hope you have the same message. I didn't realize until recently that it has been rearing it's ugly head in my life again, and I will not continue to allow that! Today we'll talk about causes of perfectionism, the vicious cycle, and what to do for more peace. Do You Battle Perfectionism? · Do you feel like what you accompl...
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March 20, 2024 33 mins
Let's start by defining the word guilt: AI definition: Guilt is an emotional state characterized by feelings of responsibility or remorse for having committed a wrongdoing or for failing to meet a certain standard of behavior, often accompanied by a sense of regret or self-blame. Dictionary.com definition: the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime. So, in my summary, the word guilt is defined as you ...
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Welcome back to the second part of our series on debunking the myth of having "no time" and delving into the essential aspect of self-care. In Part I (go to show notes to find link for part I at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mythofnotimeii), we threw boulders at the common notion that time is an elusive entity, demonstrating how it's more about priorities than scarcity. Now, in Part II, we delve deeper into practical strategies for...
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Welcome in! Part I will cover why it’s a myth and Part II, how to better take care of yourself. This all started with a “remodel” of my guest bathroom (story in episode!) Let’s get this out-of-the-way: if you have a new baby, a new job, you’re in school, a single parent, taking care of an elderly parent, etc. your time is definitely more limited! Today we'll do a couple of things: First, we'll talk about how Americans are usin...
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February 28, 2024 35 mins
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...
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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...
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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-ass...
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February 7, 2024 24 mins
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 underst...
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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 m...
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