Physical anxiety symptoms can feel terrifying, especially when anxiety and stress start showing up in your body with chest tightness, nausea, a racing heart, or panic attack symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere. So, we need to talk about how to identify and deal with physical anxiety symptoms... and how to calm them.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I explore what happens when anxiety stops feeling like ‘just worry’ and starts showing up physically, as well as why anxiety happens and how the body can get stuck in a feedback loop. We’ll also explore how nervous system anxiety can leave you dealing with heart palpitations anxiety, anxiety nausea, anxiety exhaustion, and other anxiety physical effects that make everyday life feel harder than it needs to. I break down anxiety vs panic attack symptoms, look at what somatic anxiety can actually feel like, and share practical mental health tips to help you respond more calmly, understand the pattern beneath your symptoms, and start finding real anxiety relief instead of feeding the fear. 

This episode is for anyone dealing with anxiety symptoms, a panic attack, an anxiety attack, or the exhausting confusion of wondering whether what you’re feeling is stress, burnout, an anxiety disorder, or something more serious. 

👉 Ready to understand your anxiety symptoms better and find peace? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Think your symptoms are random? This episode breaks down physical anxiety symptoms and the link between anxiety and stress, so you can understand what your body is trying to tell you and what to do about it.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Anxiety symptoms and mental health

0:37 Physical anxiety symptoms

4:28 What anxiety does to your body

10:00 Why an anxiety loop happens

16:03 How to calm the anxiety loop

24:27 Final tips for physical anxiety symptoms

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20446        

📖 Buy my book ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

📍 Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

➕ Related episodes:

Fatigue and anxiety (Episode 331): https://ltamh.com/?p=20080

Emotional regulation when overwhelmed (Episode 327): https://ltamh.com/?p=19866 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#physicalanxietysymptoms #anxietyandstress #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #panicattacksymptoms #anxietysymptoms #dealingwithanxiety #anxietyrelief #mentalhealtheducation #somaticanxiety #nervoussystem #panicattack #anxietyattack 

Do you feel like a burden if you need help from others? Do you keep asking yourself whether you’re too much, too needy, or too hard to support? 

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about feeling like a burden when you’re struggling and why that belief can quietly fuel low self worth, self doubt, emotional suppression, hyper independence, trust issues, and the fear of being a burden whenever you need emotional support. 

If you’ve ever talked yourself out of asking for help, felt worthless for having needs, or let your inner critic convince you that your emotional pain is a problem for other people, this episode is for you. I explore where that pattern comes from, how shame and emotional vulnerability can mean you start to feel unsafe quickly, and why asking for help does not make you weak, needy, or broken. I also unpack how overcoming self sabotage and healing trauma, as well as building self compassion, can help you stop treating your needs like something you have to apologise for, so you can find healthier and clearer ways to seek mental health support. 

👉 Ready to ask for support without shame taking over? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If you’re struggling with feeling like a burden, low self worth, or the fear of asking for help, this episode will help you understand why it happens and how to seek support without shame running the show.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Feeling like a burden

0:25 How to stop feeling like a burden

2:24 What it means when your needs feel like too much

6:12 Why needing support can feel unsafe

12:42 How to ask for support without shame taking over

22:09 Final tips for asking for support

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20357       

📖 Buy my book ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

📍 Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

➕ Related episodes:

Being kinder to yourself when you’re struggling (Episode 326): https://ltamh.com/?p=19801 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#feelinglikeaburden #askingforhelp #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #feelingstuck  #emotionalsupport #lowselfworth #hyperindependence #mentalhealthsupport 

Navigating heartbreak and breakup pain can be rough, because there’s no instruction guide on how to get over a breakup… especially when it’s negatively affecting your mental health. So, let's talk about how to survive a breakup without losing your sense of self.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about how to deal with a breakup in a way that’s honest, practical, and kind to yourself. Whether you’re struggling with heartbreak, breakup anxiety, breakup grief, or the confusing aftermath of a relationship ending, this episode will help you understand why breakup healing can feel like such an emotional rollercoaster and what to do after a breakup if you want to heal without feeding the pain. 

I explore how to get through a breakup when your mind keeps going backwards, why healing after a breakup takes time, how to move on after a breakup without abandoning your self-respect, and why letting go after a breakup is really part of a bigger healing journey. So if you’re stuck in the messy middle part and wondering how to deal with a breakup without losing yourself, this episode will help you protect your dignity and take small steps forward. 

👉 Ready to deal with a breakup without losing yourself? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Going through a breakup? Feeling stuck in heartbreak, anxiety, or constant overthinking? In this episode I talk about how to deal with a breakup, so you can calm the chaos and start healing.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Dealing with a breakup

0:39 How to get through a breakup

3:31 What a breakup really does to you

5:36 Why breakups affect your mental health

10:08 How to deal with a breakup

22:44 Final tips and breakup advice 

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20354      

📖 Buy my book ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

📍 Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

➕ Related episodes:

Finding closure when they won’t forgive you (324): https://ltamh.com/?p=19676 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#breakup #breakupadvice #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #breakuphealing #breakupanxiety #healingjourney #nervoussystemhealing

Feeling stuck in life? Going through the motions? Wondering why life feels empty? It’s time to stop existing and start living more!

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I explore the difference between existing vs living and what happens when survival mode becomes your normal. If you’ve been feeling numb, flat, disconnected, or like you’re just getting through each day, this episode is for you. I talk about why feeling stuck is often not just a motivation problem, and how to enjoy life more through simple and meaningful shifts that build momentum over time. This is an honest, practical conversation about how to stop feeling numb, how to get out of a rut, how to be more present, and how intentional living can help you change your life in realistic ways. 

So if you’ve been asking yourself how to enjoy life, how to be happy, how to start over, and how to stop existing and start living, or wondering why your purpose driven life feels so far away, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to start re-engaging with your life with more kindness, clarity, and self-respect. 

👉 Ready to start participating in your life more fully? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If you’re feeling stuck, numb, or like you’re just existing instead of living, this episode will help you understand why life feels empty and how to start enjoying life more.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Existing vs living

0:28 It’s time to stop existing and start living

2:43 What is existing vs living?

6:23 Why just existing harms your mental health

11:07 How to stop existing and start living

22:46 Final tips for dealing with manipulation

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20316     

📖 Buy my book ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Focusing on what really matters (Episode 306): https://ltamh.com/?p=18636

Being more present (Episode 287): https://ltamh.com/?p=17264 

Being intentional (Episode 218): https://ltamh.com/?p=12776 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#existingvsliving #survivalmode #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #feelingstuck  #stuckinlife #goingthroughthemotions #livewithintention #enjoylifemore

Feeling manipulated by someone? Manipulation can include guilt tripping, pressure, emotional manipulation, controlling behaviour, and sometimes gaslighting, but the common thread is the same: someone is trying to pull you away from your own needs, wants, and choices.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about how to deal with manipulation: what manipulative behavior is, and how to approach emotional manipulation in a more assertive way, especially when manipulation tactics make it hard to navigate a difficult relationship. If you’re dealing with manipulative people, toxic relationships, or unhealthy relationships, or if you’re trying to understand the signs of manipulation before you get pulled in too far, this episode is for you. I’ll explore why guilt and manipulation can affect your self-esteem and mental health so deeply, why manipulative dynamics often get worse when you start setting boundaries, and how to say no without over-explaining, apologising, or letting someone else’s pressure make your choices for you. You’ll learn how to recognise manipulation earlier, respond with more self-respect, and practice assertiveness in a way that protects your peace without turning you into someone cold or cruel. 

👉 Ready to recognise manipulation and respond more assertively? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If guilt trips, gaslighting, or manipulative behaviour keep pushing you into saying yes when you really mean no, this episode will help you spot manipulation earlier and respond with more self-respect.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Manipulation and mental health

0:36 Dealing with manipulative people

3:15 What is manipulation?

6:49 Why manipulation harms your mental health

11:21 How to stop being manipulated

23:35 Final tips for dealing with manipulation

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20211     

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Discomfort (Episode 239): https://ltamh.com/?p=14013

Patterns (Episode 303): https://ltamh.com/?p=18325

Healthier Relationships (Episode 266): https://ltamh.com/?p=15724 

Boundaries/People Pleasing (Episode 322): https://ltamh.com/?p=19518

Difficult People (Episode 325): https://ltamh.com/?p=19737

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#manipulation #manipulativepeople #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #healthierrelationships #emotionalmanipulation #manipulativebehaviour #toxicrelationships #unhealthyrelationships #boundaries #assertiveness #selfrespect

Ever wondered, “Why am I lonely even when people are around me?” You’re not alone, and loneliness around others is more common that you might think. 

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about loneliness in one of its most confusing forms: feeling alone, unseen, and disconnected even when you’re surrounded by other people. If you feel lonely in friendships, at work, in a relationship, or in social situations that look fine on the outside, this episode is for you. I explore why loneliness is not just about having no friends or being physically by yourself, but about the quality of your connection, the levels of loneliness people can experience, and what may be driving chronic loneliness or that constant thought of “why am I lonely?”. I also look at why you may feel unseen, how to deal with loneliness, what to do when you feel lonely around other people, and how to stop feeling lonely by building connections that feels more real. 

So if you’ve been wondering how to overcome loneliness, how to feel more connected, or why being around people still leaves you feeling alone, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and what to do next. 

👉 Ready to feel more connected and less alone? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If you often feel lonely even around other people, this episode will help you understand why you feel alone, what you need to focus on, and how to start overcoming loneliness and build real connections. 

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Loneliness and mental health

0:32 Feeling lonely when you’re not alone

3:08 What is feeling lonely around others

8:10 Why loneliness affects your mental health

12:55 How to deal with loneliness

22:22 Final tips for dealing with loneliness

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20200    

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Emotional regulation (Episode 15): https://ltamh.com/?p=848  

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#loneliness #feelinglonely #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #feelingalone #dealingwithloneliness #healthierrelationships #emotionalconnection

Are you dealing with fatigue and anxiety, brain fog, and that horrible feeling of being both wired and worn out at the same time? Welcome to one of the most common anxiety symptoms: fatigue.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about why ‘anxiety exhaustion’ can leave you feeling flat, mentally exhausted, emotionally exhausted, and stuck in survival mode even when you’re trying your best to hold it all together. This episode is for anyone who feels anxious often, keeps pushing through stress and anxiety, and is starting to wonder whether they’re dealing with burnout, mental exhaustion, anxiety symptoms, or just some vague kind of fatigue they can’t explain. 

I unpack how anxiety, stress, and constant internal pressure can quietly drain your system, fuel brain fog, and make ordinary life feel harder than it should, and I explore how to stop anxiety and fatigue feeding each other without piling on more pressure or pretending you can just “power through”. If you’ve ever worried about adrenal fatigue, felt confused by your anxiety symptoms, or wondered why anxiety relief can feel so hard when you’re already worn down, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to begin breaking the cycle in practical, realistic ways. 

👉 Ready to understand your exhaustion and start breaking the cycle? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Sick of feeling anxious, exhausted, foggy, and stuck in survival mode? In this episode I unpack the link between fatigue and anxiety so you can understand what’s draining you and how to start changing it. 

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Mental health and anxiety

0:39 Fatigue and anxiety

4:21 What is fatigue and anxiety?

7:20 Why fatigue and anxiety affects your mental health

11:52 How to break the cycle of fatigue and anxiety

22:06 Final freeze response tips 

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20080   

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Emotional regulation (Episode 327): https://ltamh.com/?p=19866 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#anxiety #fatigue #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #stressresponse #emotionalregulation #nervoussystem #copingwithoverwhelm

Feeling overwhelmed, frozen, or emotionally numb even when you’re still getting through the day? That’s the freeze response in action, which you may know as part of the fight flight freeze response.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m exploring the freeze response: what functional freeze is, why overwhelm can trigger emotional shutdown, and why feeling overwhelmed and exhausted is not just about motivation or willpower. I talk about what this stress response looks like in real life when you’re feeling overwhelmed, can’t think straight, feel stuck, or notice your nervous system has basically hit a wall. I also unpack why functional freeze can quietly damage your emotional health, affect your emotional regulation, and make coping with overwhelm even harder (especially if you keep piling on pressure, instead of understanding what your system is actually doing). I’ll also walk you through practical mental health tips to help you respond differently: reduce pressure, recognise the pattern underneath the shutdown, protect your limits, and start moving forward. 

If you’ve been dealing with overwhelm, functional freeze, shutdown, or a freeze response that’s leaving you flat, foggy, or disconnected, this episode is for you. 

👉 Ready to understand the freeze response and tackle overwhelm? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Overwhelmed, feeling frozen and shut down, and stuck in your own head? In this episode I’m breaking down the freeze response: what functional freeze is, why it happens, and how to start finding clarity when your system is overloaded.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Overwhelm and mental health

0:40 The freeze response

3:49 What is functional freeze and shutdown?

7:04 Why shutdown affects your mental health

11:39 How to deal with the freeze response

24:24 Final freeze response tips 

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20056  

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Being kinder to yourself (Episode 326): https://ltamh.com/?p=19801

Emotional regulation (Episode 327): https://ltamh.com/?p=19866 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#overwhelmed #freezeresponse #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #functionalfreeze #emotionalshutdown #feelingstuck #stressresponse #emotionalregulation #nervoussystem #copingwithoverwhelm

Toxic family relationships can leave you feeling drained, confused, and stuck between protecting your peace and trying to keep everybody else happy. So how do you deal with toxic family members when the people hurting you are the same people you’re told you should love, respect, and stay loyal to?

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about why toxic family relationships affect your mental health, and how to deal with toxic family members in a way that’s grounded in self-respect. I explore the difference between difficult and toxic behaviour, why family dynamics can make you doubt yourself, and how guilt and manipulation can keep you stuck in patterns that harm your peace of mind. You’ll discover practical ways to recognise the emotional cost of toxic family dynamics, decide what access people should have to you, communicate more clearly, and make healthier choices without jumping straight to an all-or-nothing solution.

If you’ve been struggling with toxic family relationships, setting boundaries with family, or working out what to do when enough is enough, this episode will help you feel supported and much clearer about what needs to change… and how to make those changes.

👉 Ready to protect your peace from toxic family relationships and move forward in life? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Sick of toxic family dynamics draining your peace? In this episode I explore toxic family relationships, why they affect your mental health, and how to deal with toxic family members with greater clarity and self-respect.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Family and mental health

0:47 Toxic family relationships

3:23 What are toxic family relationships?

7:43 Why toxic family relationships affect your mental health

12:22 How to deal with toxic family relationships

25:28 Final tips

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20023 

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Family estrangement (Episode 328): https://ltamh.com/?p=19952

Difficult people (Episode 325): https://ltamh.com/?p=19737

Why family boundaries don’t stick (Episode 312): https://ltamh.com/?p=19035 

How to be more assertive (Episode 242): https://ltamh.com/?p=14199 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#toxicfamilyrelationships #familyboundaries #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #toxicfamily, #familydynamics, #relationshipboundaries #dysfunctionalfamily

Family estrangement can mess with your head in ways other people rarely understand. Whether you’re estranged from family, dealing with no contact, trying to make sense of being cut off, or asking yourself why family estrangement hurts so much, this kind of loss can have a huge impact on your mental health and emotional wellbeing.

In this week’s episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about family estrangement, including: what estrangement really is, estrangement grief, and how to cope with family estrangement when family ties are broken or when family cuts contact. I explore why going no contact is rarely ever a simple choice, how toxic family relationships can lead to distance or disconnection, and what emotional healing can look like when you’re estranged from parents, part of an estranged family, or stuck in the middle of estranged families and dysfunctional family dynamics. I also talk about peace of mind, healing, and what to do when you’re dealing with other people’s painful questions or opinions (like “but she’s your mother”), or wondering how to cut contact with family without losing yourself in the process. 

👉 Ready to make sense of family estrangement and protect your peace? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If you’re dealing with family estrangement or having no contact, this episode will help you understand why being estranged from family hurts so much, what estrangement grief really does to you, and how to start healing without pretending it doesn’t hurt… regardless of which side of the estrangement fence you’re on.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Estrangement and mental health

0:36 How to cope with family estrangement 

5:48 What is family estrangement?

8:59 Why family estrangement affects your mental health

12:44 How to deal with family estrangement 

23:50 Final tips for dealing with estrangement

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=19952       

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Why your family boundaries don’t stick (Episode 312): https://ltamh.com/?p=19035 

Finding closure when they won’t forgive you (Episode 324): https://ltamh.com/?p=19676 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#estrangement #familyestrangement #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #nocontact, #toxicfamily, #familydynamics, #FamilyTrauma, #FamilyDynamics, #RelationshipBoundaries

What do you do when your emotional regulation goes out the window? Can you learn how to manage your emotions when feeling overwhelmed? This week on the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about emotional regulation and what to do when emotions take over in simple and practical terms: what it is, why it gets so much harder when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and how to control your emotions without pretending you’re fine or trying to “just calm down”. 

If you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed, stuck in your own head, or wondering how to regulate emotions when stress takes over, this episode will help you make sense of what’s happening and show you how to manage emotions more effectively. I unpack how emotional regulation works, why your nervous system can push you into fight, flight, freeze, fawn or shutdown, and how to emotionally regulate yourself with simple mental health tips you can actually use in real life. 

So… if you want to control emotions, stop reacting on autopilot, and learn how to stop feeling overwhelmed and stressed, this episode will help you feel clearer, calmer, and more capable of handling whatever life throws at you. 

👉 Ready to regulate your emotions and calm your mind? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: Feeling overwhelmed and reacting on autopilot? In this episode I’ll show you how emotional regulation really works so you can control your emotions, calm your nervous system, and handle stress without making things worse.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

________________________________

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Emotional regulation and mental health

0:33 How to control your emotions

4:31 What is emotional regulation? 

10:21 Why regulating your emotions matters

15:12 How to manage your emotions

24:24 Final tips for controlling your emotions

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=19866      

➕ Related episodes:

Being kinder to yourself (Episode 326): https://ltamh.com/?p=19801

Overthinking and thought spirals (Episode 321): https://ltamh.com/?p=19518

How to deal with anxiety (Episode 281): https://ltamh.com/?p=16786 

People pleasing (Episode 122): https://ltamh.com/?p=5798 

Expressing yourself (Episode 279): https://ltamh.com/?p=16628 

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

🔗 Links

Subscribe for free show notes/transcripts in your inbox: https://ltamh.com/subscribe/  

Learn more about Let’s Talk About Mental Health: https://ltamh.com 

Support me on Patreon for early ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/jeremygodwin 

My Digital Store: https://ltamh.com/shop/  

Buy my Daily Reflection Tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/daily-reflection/

Buy my Daily Affirmations tool here: https://ltamh.com/product/affirmations/  

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ltamh  

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltamentalhealth/        

#emotionalregulation #feelingoverwhelmed #mentalhealth #mentalhealthtips #bettermentalhealth #ltamhpodcast #letstalkaboutmentalhealth #ltamh #peaceofmind #findingpeace #emotionalhealth #personalgrowth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #jeremygodwin #bettermentalhealth #findingpeace #protectyourpeace #mentalhealthpodcast #selfimprovement #stressandanxiety #overwhelm #anxietyhelp #nervoussystemregulation #selfregulation #calmyourmind