Calm Your Daily Stress - Stress Relief for the Busy Midlife Woman

Latest Episodes:

Is It Burnout? How to Know and What to Do with Nikia Smith Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Are you tired of wearing your exhaustion like a badge of honor? In this episode of the Calm Your Daily Stress Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Nikia Smith to talk about the very real weight of burnout that so many of us carry as busy women.

Dr. Nikia Smith is a board-certified anesthesiologist, wellness coach, and the founder of She Is Fire Forged. Drawing from over a decade in high-stress medicine, she helps high-achieving women of color overcome burnout, set guilt-free boundaries, and reclaim their peace. She is an expert at helping leaders choose softness over mere survival.

Nikia shares her own story of hitting rock bottom. She explains how hitting a wall helped her start her burnout recovery.
She explains why women feel forced to do it all. She shares how we can finally let go of that heavy pressure.
She talks about the early warning signs of exhaustion. She shows us how to catch burnout before it takes over.
She discusses the true power of admitting you are not fine. She explains why being honest with yourself opens the door to healing.
Nikia shares simple daily habits that restore your energy. She explains how small moments of rest fit into your busy day.
Nikia talks about accepting help from the people around you. She shows why receiving support is actually a superpower for women.
She explains how fun hobbies can lift your spirit. She shares why bringing joy back into your routine helps you heal from burnout.
She talks about protecting your precious peace and time. She shares simple phrases to use before you say yes to new demands.
She explains why leaning on a loving community is so important. She shares how real connection keeps burnout away for good.

Contacting Nikia

Website: https://sheisfireforged.com/

On Socials

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nikiasmithmd

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/is-it-burnout-how-to-know-and-what-to-do/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

I've got everything you need in one place: new podcast episodes, quick stress relief practices, and free resources to help you exhale, no matter what kind of day you're having. Check the link below and take a look around.

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace care from your doctor, therapist, or other healthcare provider. Please talk to a qualified professional about your specific health needs.

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How Stress Affects Your Eyes (And How to Fix It) with Pam Theriot Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

When was the last time you blinked on purpose? If you spend your days on screens running your business, your eyes may be working overtime, and it could be adding to your stress without you even knowing it. In this episode, Dr. Pam Theriot shares simple, doable ways to rest your eyes, protect your energy, and feel calmer and clearer all day.

Dr. Pam Theriot is an optometrist who is committed to helping you understand why a yearly visit to the eye doctor is more important than brushing your teeth.

In this episode:

Pam shares why tired eyes can make your stress feel even bigger. When your eyes ache and your vision gets blurry, your whole day feels harder.
She explains why we blink so much less when we look at screens. She says we blink about 21 times a minute while chatting with a friend, but only about 7 on a computer and 5 on a phone. Wow!
She talks about how doom scrolling keeps your eyes wide open and your body in stress mode, and what that does to your eyes over time.
Pam shares three easy workspace fixes. Move your screen as far away as you can while still seeing it clearly, wear glasses made for screen distance, and take little breaks.
She explains her simple break trick. Stand up, sip some water, look across the room, and do five good, hard blinks to refresh your eyes.
She talks about reading glasses and why the style and fit really matter. The wrong pair can cause even more eye strain.
Pam shares three kind habits for your eyes. Blink more, take off your eye makeup every single night, and gently clean your lids and lashes.
She explains what to do about itchy eyelids, which can be a sign of tiny lash mites that tend to grow in number as we get older. There is a prescription eye drop that can help, so ask your eye doctor.
She shares quick Zoom tips, like putting your light above you and not behind you. She also explains why you should schedule an eye exam if it has been a while, and she offers a free workspace guide at www.pamtheriot.com/tedx

Contacting Pam:

https://www.pamtheriot.com/

On Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/pamtheriotpage

https://www.instagram.com/pam.theriot/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamtheriot

https://www.youtube.com/@alleviatedryeyewithdr.T

https://tiktok.com/@pamtheriot6

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/how-stress-affects-your-eyes-and-how-to-fix-it/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Gut Health: What is the Real Cause of Your Bloat? with Colleen Kurtz Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Are you a busy woman who feels like you are constantly running on empty, battling exhaustion and an unpredictable stomach?

In this episode, I sit down with Colleen Kurtz to explore the deep connection between your daily stress and your digestion. We dive into how chronic overwhelm silently affects your body, and how taking simple, grounded steps to calm your nervous system can help you heal, restore your energy, and finally find some much-needed relief.

Colleen Kurtz is the owner of Mindfully Nourished Wellness where she helps women restore their gut health so they can have more energy, less digestive issues, and feel more comfortable in life. She is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

In this episode:

Colleen shares how her own frustrating health struggles led her to discover the amazing benefits of fixing her gut health.
She explains that for busy business owners, our stomachs and brains talk to each other constantly, so all that daily stress really upsets our digestive system.
She talks about how poor gut health can actually cause sneaky problems like skin breakouts, brain fog, and migraines.
Colleen shares that healing your gut health can even help balance your hormones and give you your precious energy back.
She explains why taking a simple lab test at home gives you way better answers than just guessing what foods to cut out of your busy life.
She talks about a 90-minute session she offers to help you figure out your personal gut health puzzle without needing lots of pills. You can access it here: https://l.bttr.to/KApiu
Colleen shares a super easy way for overwhelmed women to just put their phones away and take a few deep breaths before eating meals.
She explains that eating while you are totally relaxed helps your body actually digest your food and stops that painful bloating.
She talks about keeping a simple food and mood journal to help you reconnect with your body and gut health journey.

Contacting Colleen:

Website: www.mindfully-nourished.com

On Socials:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_mindfullynourished/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_mindfullynourished/

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/gut-health-what-is-the-real-cause-of-your-bloat/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Resonance: Find Your Calm in the Middle of Chaos with Sam Kukathas Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

What if you could literally tune out your daily stress and burnout using just the sound of a human voice? In today's episode, Sam Kukathas shares his unique voice frequency techniques and treats us to a powerful, live activation designed to instantly regulate your nervous system and bring you back to ease.

Sam Kukathas, creator of Neuro-Resonance Optimisation and founder of Soul Purpose Leaders and Resonance OS. He works with founders and leaders stuck in cycles of stress, using his voice to transmit specific sound frequencies that work directly on the nervous system to release what's been stored in the body.

In this episode:

Sam shares his inspiring journey from working in academia to finding his true calling in helping people heal their daily stress.
He explains how he uses his voice to create a special resonance that helps busy women calm down and find their center without having to try so hard.
He talks about why this unique resonance works so beautifully for us when our minds are racing with endless to-do lists and business worries.
He opens up about how dropping into this state of resonance helps us turn off an overactive brain and tap right into our body's own incredible wisdom.
Sam describes a powerful moment on a retreat where he helped participants release deep tension and find total harmony just by tuning into what their bodies needed.
He reveals why feeling truly safe in our bodies is the real secret to being a grounded leader and handling our businesses with total grace.
He points out that taking just a few minutes to clear the mental noise with resonance can completely shift the energy of our workday and make things flow so much easier.
He shares a live, on-the-spot demonstration of his voice resonance, allowing you to actually feel the relaxing shift right through your speakers.
Sam leaves us with a gentle reminder that finding our inner resonance isn't about adding another chore to our busy schedules; it is simply about remembering who we truly are and finding an easy peace.

Contacting Sam:

Website: https://soulpurposeleaders.com/
ResonanceOS: https://resonanceos.io/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/samkukathas/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/sam.kukathas/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulpurposeleaders/

Blog Post: https://therelaxationlounge.info/resonance-find-your-calm-in-the-middle-of-chaos/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Why Smart Leaders Put Mental Health First with Stephanie Kunkel Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Is burnout the hidden cost of your success? In this episode, explore why true leadership starts with your own mental well-being. Learn how to spot early burnout, silence negative self-talk, and protect your energy so you can thrive in business without running on empty.

Stephanie Kunkel , an international best-selling author and mental health and business strategy coach with over 11 years of experience. She’s consulted for Fortune 500 companies in tech, healthcare, and manufacturing, training teams on everything from emotional wellness and handling trauma to leadership and communication. Stephanie is currently partnering with business leaders and politicians to redefine how we view leadership and mental health.

In this episode:

Stephanie shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to discovering how vital mental health support really is for busy leaders.
She explains why so many women end up bottling up emotions like grief or anger, which only leads to feeling completely exhausted.
She talks about how simple daily self-care habits, like drinking enough water and getting good sleep, actually make you a much stronger business owner.
Stephanie breaks down how your brain is just trying to protect you when negative self-talk creeps in, and how to gently tell it you’ve got things under control.
She gives awesome advice for solopreneurs on how to block out time in a busy schedule so you don't run yourself into the ground.
She shares three simple steps to reset your day when you feel totally overwhelmed and ready to throw in the towel.
Stephanie explains how to really listen to what your body is trying to tell you, whether you need a quick stretch, a walk, or just a good meal.
She talks about the fun power of getting creative, like pulling out adult coloring books, to give your brain a well-deserved break.
She invites everyone to check out her free downloadable Thrive Guide so you can build a step-by-step game plan to feel your best again.

Contacting Stephanie

https://stephaniekunkel.com https://substack.com/@perspectiveshifting https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiftingperspectives/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Reignite Your Spark: Starting Your Next Chapter with Anne Paphitis Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed and wondering if it's too late to start over? In this episode, I sit down with resilience coach Anne Paphitis to talk about reinventing your life at any age, letting go of what no longer serves you, and stepping into your next chapter with more confidence and less stress.

Anne Paphitis is a resilience coach, speaker, and personal reinvention expert who helps women navigate major life transitions, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with purpose. Drawing from both her coaching work and her own experiences of starting over, Anne brings a practical and compassionate approach to resilience, burnout, and creating a meaningful next chapter.

In this episode:

Anne shares how her personal journey of starting over led her to coach young students with social anxiety and help them build their confidence.
She explains that middle-aged women often feel overwhelmed and lost in the exact same ways as younger students when going through big life transitions.
She talks about her own brave move to Ireland four years ago to completely reinvent her life and help women lower their daily stress.
Anne shares why you need to audit your life first and declutter old habits before trying to add new self-care routines to a full schedule.
She explains her creative self-care journal called Steady, which helps you track your daily activities and pay attention to how they actually make you feel.
Anne offers her top tip for reinventing yourself, which is to be extra patient and kind with yourself because big changes take time.
She talks about the importance of being super clear about your goals while remaining flexible enough to adjust your path as things evolve.
She encourages women not to be afraid to ask for help or find online support groups to be their ultimate cheerleading squad during changes.
She reveals that her favorite way to practice self-care is simply stepping away to clear her mind, like taking a walk in nature or spending time in the garden.

Contacting Anne:

The special gift to you: Click Here
You can book your free 30 min session with Anne here:

https://calendly.com/hello-annepaphitis/30min

https://annepaphitis.com/

https://contoura-collective.co.uk/

On Socials:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-paphitis-066443116/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CuP8BgfVe/

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/reignite-your-spark-starting-your-next-chapter/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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How Knitting Can Help You Manage Stress and Anxiety with Alice O'Connell Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Two sticks. Some yarn. A whole lot of calm. This episode shows how a simple, repetitive craft can quiet a busy mind, steady a racing nervous system, and become a steady anchor through life's hardest moments.

Alice O'Connell, a former British TV and theatre actress who picked up knitting on the sets of shows like Doctor Who, and later built it into a worldwide teaching practice called Learn to Knit. Through career changes, motherhood far from home, and breast cancer treatment in 2024, knitting has been her steady place to land. Today she's here to share how one simple stitch at a time can calm an overwhelmed mind and a racing nervous system.

In this episode:

Alice explains that knitting works because repetitive hand motions send a signal to your nervous system that you are safe, calming your breath in just ten to fifteen minutes.
She shares how she stumbled into knitting almost by accident, using it to stay calm backstage as an actress before it grew into her worldwide teaching platform, Learn to Knit.
She talks about how knitting became her anchor as a new mom, especially during those long sleepless nights, helping her feel like herself again.
She opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis and how picking up her needles gave her a way to process the fear and uncertainty that came with it.
Alice reminds listeners how important it is to do regular self-exams, since finding her own lump early made a real difference in her treatment.
She compares knitting to scrolling on your phone, pointing out that screens spike your dopamine and leave you feeling drained, while knitting leaves you feeling calm and grounded.
Alice describes what happens in her group classes, where a room full of stressed people settles into quiet focus within just minutes of picking up their needles.
She offers simple tips for getting started, sharing that you only need two basic stitches, some affordable supplies, and a little patience with yourself as a beginner.
Alice encourages everyone to give a creative hobby a try, saying the real question isn't what could go wrong, but what wonderful thing might happen if you just start.

To receive your 15% discout go to:

https://www.learntoknit.nl/pre-recorded-knitting-lessons

This is a pre-recorded complete beginner's knitting course including a 30 min live online session with Alice. Code to enter at checkout is: OVERWHELMTOFLOW

Contacting Alice:

https://www.learntoknit.nl

On socials:

https://www.instagram.com/learntoknitonline/

https://nl.pinterest.com/learntoknitonline/

Blogpost:

https://therelaxationlounge.info/how-knitting-can-help-you-manage-stress-and-anxiety/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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The Power of Fascia: Unlock a Happier You with Sytera Field Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Your body is holding onto more stress than you realize, and fascia might be the missing piece to finally letting it go. In this episode, Sytera Field breaks down what fascia is, why it matters, and simple ways to give it the love it needs.

Sytera Field, owner of SyteraYoga, founder of The Nadi Method, and author of the new book Power Over Pain.

In this episode:

Sytera shares her own story of breaking her leg rock climbing, and how that accident led her to yoga and eventually to creating the Nadi Method.
She explains what she calls microdosing stress, and why chronic stress is so different from the everyday ups and downs we all deal with.
She talks about two body signals called interoception and proprioception, and how tuning into them helps you catch stress before it piles up.
Sytera shares her go-to rule, don't baby your body but don't bully it either, and how that mindset changes the way you respond to pain.
She explains fascia, the connective tissue that wraps around your whole body, and how it acts like a messenger between your brain and every part of you.
She talks about why fascia craves movement and hydration, and why drinking water alone will not keep it healthy.
She shares simple ways to work fascia care into your daily routine, like while brushing your teeth, so it never feels like one more task added to your day.
Sytera offers her top three tips for handling stress, starting with simply noticing when you feel overwhelmed and giving yourself permission to breathe.
She talks about her new student promo package - www.syterayoga.com/yoga/promos

Contacting Sytera:

Website: www.syterayoga.com

On Socials

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SyteraYoga Instagram: www.instagram.com/syterayoga LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sytera-field-9a6058229

Blogpost:

https://therelaxationlounge.info/the-power-of-fascia-unlock-a-happier-you-with-sytera-field/

#Fascia, #ChronicStress, #MicrodosingStress, #NadiMethod, #StressManagementForWomen, #PlantarFasciitis, #MindBodyConnection, #YogaForStressRelief, #StressRelief

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Are You Burned Out or Just Mineral Deficient? with Dori Martin Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Think you're just tired? Dori Martin shares that it might actually be a mineral deficiency driving your burnout, brain fog, and midlife exhaustion.

Dori Martin is a functional health practitioner who helps high-achieving women uncover the often-overlooked physiological reasons they feel stressed, depleted, and burned out. Her approach connects mineral balance, nervous system regulation, and the foundations that help the body become more resilient.

In this episode:

Dori explains that minerals are basically the spark plugs your body needs to make energy, handle stress, and keep hormones running smoothly.
She shares her own burnout story, from caring for her dying dad and her fiance's terminal diagnosis to becoming a single mom, which pushed her body past its limits.
She talks about how calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium each play a different role, and when your minerals get out of balance, stress wears them down fast.
She explains that a simple hair test can check to see if you have a mineral deficiency and show your stress levels, metabolism, and thyroid function without needles or blood draws.
Dori shares that pushing harder with more exercise, more protein, or more supplements can actually backfire if your minerals are too depleted for your body to use them.
She talks about small daily habits that make a big difference, like five minutes of morning sunlight, a pinch of sea salt in your water to boost minerals, and deep belly breaths.
She explains why doing nothing feels so uncomfortable for so many women, since we've been trained to be human doings instead of human beings.
She shares how a mineral deficiency can cause mood swings, rage, and anxiety that often get blamed on hormones instead.
Dori reminds listeners that healing looks different for everyone, so the goal is learning your own body instead of chasing someone else's routine.

To access the case study on how the hair test works to uncover a mineral deficiency https://bit.ly/HTMA_case_study

Contacting Dori:

Website: https://www.dorimartin.com/

On Socials:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeenergy.dori/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/dori.liang?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/could-a-mineral-deficiency-be-causing-your-burnout/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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Teaching Your Nervous System It's Safe to Slow Down with Rochelle Walsh Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Rochelle Walsh is the founder of Joyful & Present and a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years in the therapy room. She helps high-achieving women move out of chronic stress and burnout — not through more coping strategies, but by working with the nervous system itself.

In this episode:

Rochelle spent over 25 years in the therapy room before she started helping busy, high-achieving women break free from burnout, and she does it in a way that actually sticks.
She explains that your nervous system controls way more than people realize, from digestion to how your eyes track, and when it gets stuck in overdrive, your whole body feels it.
Rochelle talks about how some women grow up believing that being busy equals being successful, and that belief gets wired in so early it feels completely normal.
She shares that many high achieving women don't even realize they're running on fight or flight, because it's made them productive and it's made everyone around them happy.
Rochelle explains that stepping back from a packed schedule can actually feel scarier than staying busy, because your brain reads calm as unfamiliar and unsafe.
She talks about the guilt that shows up the moment you try to rest, and how that guilt is often just an old story your mind picked up a long time ago.
Rochelle shares a simple trick, when guilt or stress creeps in, get curious instead of just obeying it, and ask yourself what would actually have to be true for it to be okay to relax.
She explains that real change happens in small repeated steps, not one big overhaul, so a couple minutes of stillness each day can genuinely start to rewire old patterns.
Rochelle leaves us with a beautiful reminder, just because something has always been a certain way does not mean it has to stay that way, your patterns can change at any age.

Contacting Rochelle

Her free Masterclass: https://masterclass.joyfulandpresent.com/register

Website: www.joyfulandpresent.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellewalsh_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochellewalsh.joyfulandpresent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rochellewalsh3347

Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/teaching-your-nervous-system-its-safe-to-slow-down/

Are You Looking for Real Stress Relief? Come Take a Look

https://therelaxationlounge.info/start-here

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