Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships
Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The stress and anxiety of this life stage can be overwhelming, draining your energy, and making it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast is your guide to easing midlife anxiety and discovering a deeper sense of calm.
Discover how to:
- Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.
- Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that ignite your inner energy, helping you gain clarity and confidently meet your needs.
- Cultivate calm and enjoyment by creating a positive internal mindset using practical, affordable coping skills to handle life's challenges.
Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years’ experience as a mental wellness educator as she guides you on a journey to reclaim your inner peace. Learn how to find contentment in the present moment, empowering you to handle the pressures of midlife with a confidence clarity that leads to calm.
Every Monday, MJ delves into the unique challenges of midlife, offering insights and concluding each episode with an "Inner Challenge"—simple, science-backed techniques designed to shift you from feeling overwhelmed to centered. Tune in every Thursday for a brief 5-10 minute "Inner Challenge Tune-Up," where MJ offers easy-to-follow tips to integrate these practices into your daily life.
Let’s evolve from crisis to calm and embrace the incredible journey of midlife. Tired of feeling overwhelmed? Tune into fan-favorite Ep. 63 for a boost! Let anxiety go and embrace your calm!
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 21 minutes
- Episodes
- 192
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Ep. 153 How Midlife Caregiving Triggers Stress, Anxiety & Identity Loss and Coping Skills to Ease the Ache
Are you quietly grieving while still showing up for everyone else?
Your kids need you differently, and your parent needs you more—everything inside can start to shift.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- …
Ep. 152 How Midlife Caregiving's Invisible Weight & Coping Skills to Ease the Burden of Stress & Anxiety
Feeling mentally drained by caring for both your kids and aging parents?
You might be carrying an invisible load that’s fueling your anxiety—and it’s more common than you think.
In this episode, you’…
Ep. 151 Practical Coping Skills to Ease Emotional and Physical Fatigue & Stress During a Crisis in Midlife
Are you blaming yourself for being too tired in a crisis?
Loss, illness, or major life upheaval can leave you emotionally raw and physically depleted.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- Why exhaustion h…
Ep. 150 Coping Skills to Ease Stress & Anxiety When a Crisis Shakes Your Midlife Calm
What do you do when everything falls apart?
Shifting from a reactive to a reflective mindset can make all the difference.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. A step-by-step process to ground yours…
Ep. 149 Trump’s Tariffs Spiked One Midlife Listener’s Anxiety & Stress and 3 Coping Skills Helped
Is your anxiety spiking every time Trump’s tariffs make headlines?
You’re not alone—and it’s not just about politics, it’s about your nervous system.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- How to shift from…
Ep. 148 How to Cope with Financial Stress & Anxiety During Trump Induced Tariffs, Market Stress and Economic Uncertainty
Feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the economy and unsure how to stay grounded?
Discover calming, practical strategies—whether you’re stressing about college costs, retirement, or just making …
Ep. 147 How Midlife Stress & Anxiety Is Driving Your Isolation & Loneliness & 2 Powerful Ways to Reconnect
Is your anxiety quietly fueling a sense of loneliness you can't quite name?
You may be crushing your to-do list but still feeling emotionally isolated or unseen, you’re not alone.
In this episode y…
Ep. 146 How Loneliness Is Quietly Draining Your Happiness, Increasing Your Stress & 4 Coping Skills to Rebuild Connection in Midlife
Loneliness in midlife often creeps in unnoticed.
You go through the motions—work, family, responsibilities—but something feels off.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why midlife loneliness is so common …
Ep. 145 Tried & Tested Transformative Coping Skills for Midlife Stress & Anxiety & How They REALLY Work
Are you secretly scared to feel your feelings—especially in the middle of setting boundaries?
Setting boundaries is essential, especially if you want to get your wants & needs to be heard.
In this ep…
Ep. 144 How to Finally Feel Confident Setting Boundaries When Midlife Anxiety & Stress Makes It Feel Impossible
Is anxiety stopping you from setting the boundaries you know you need?
Get a clear, simple strategy to move through fear and finally take action to get what you want and need.
In this episode, you’ll d…
Ep. 143 3 Powerful Coping Skills to Conquer Midlife Anxiety, Stress & Perfectionism for a Happier Life
Are you constantly pushing yourself to the max, yet feeling exhausted and on edge?
Doing less could actually help you achieve more.
In this episode you’ll discover:
1. Why striving for perfection mig…
Ep. 142 The Hidden Anxiety & Stress of Midlife Overachievers and 3 Coping Skills to Finally Enjoy Your Success
Do you feel like you're constantly running, as if a boulder is chasing you downhill?
You can be successful and driven without the fear and exhaustion.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- What truly fuels y…
Ep. 141 The 3 Essential Hormones You Must Balance in Midlife for Less Anxiety, Stress, Better Sleep, and a Healthier Weight
Are your midlife hormones working for you or against you?
What if you could become your own hormone detective and start with the right tests and lifestyle changes?
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. …
Ep. 140 Understanding Hormones and Anxiety & Stress and How Midlife Women Can Regain Control
Are you focusing on the wrong hormones in midlife?
Many women believe estrogen is the key to feeling better, but what if the real secret lies elsewhere.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. The three es…
Ep. 139 3 Essential Coping Skills to Break Free From Negative Thoughts and Calm Midlife Stress & Anxiety
Tired of feeling stuck in negative thoughts?
Your brain is wired to focus on the bad—but you don’t have to stay trapped in that cycle.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. The science behind negativ…
Ep. 138 The 4-Step Brain Hack to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & Lower Stress & Anxiety in Midlife
Ever had a frightening thought pop into your head that you just can’t shake?
Intrusive thoughts happen to everyone, but without the right tools, they can spiral into anxiety, stress, and sleepless nig…
Ep. 135 5 Coping Skills for Midlife Parents to Reduce Stress & Anxiety, Strengthen Connection, and Navigate College Costs With Their Child
Feeling overwhelmed by the financial burden of college?
Navigating these tough conversations with your child without guilt, stress, or unnecessary conflict is not easy.
In this episode, you’ll discover
- …
Ep. 134 5 Coping Skills to Help Midlife Parents Turn Their Child’s College & Job Rejection into Growth
Have you ever felt the gut punch of watching your child face rejection—whether from a dream school, a job, or an opportunity they worked so hard for?
For midlife parents, March brings more than bloomi…
Ep. 133 4 Coping Skills to Handle a Critical Boss & Transform Midlife Self-Doubt & Anxiety into Self-Assurance
Is your boss constantly demanding more while offering little support or recognition?
If their negativity is draining your confidence, it’s time to shift the way you respond.
In this episode, you’ll d…
Ep. 132 Eliminate the Stress & Anxiety of Imposter Syndrome Forever with These 3 Coping Skills
Have you ever stepped into a new—whether at work, in your community, or in your personal life—only to feel like an imposter?
Don’t let "imposter syndrome" take over and crush this great opportunity.
I…