Practical Solutions for PTSD | Anxiety Symptoms, Seasonal Depression, Isolation, Stress, Guilt, Boundaries, Loneliness

When you're dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, seasonal depression, or burnout, it's easy to focus on what's wrong, what's next, and what could go wrong.
But what if you could notice something beautiful without pretending everything is okay?
Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence isn't perfectionism, comparison, or toxic positivity. It's learning to notice beauty, goodness, skill, and wonder in everyday life.
In this episode, we'll explore how this strength can help interrupt overthinking and anxiety, reconnect with pleasure during depression, shift attention from threat-scanning with PTSD, and find moments of wonder during seasonal depression.
You don't have to fix the hard things.
Just notice what is good.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths: 24 Character Strengths List | VIA Institute
Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing
KEYWORDS: 
appreciation of beauty and excellence
character strengths
VIA character strengths
PTSD
anxiety symptoms
depression
seasonal depression
burnout
stress
overthinking
loneliness
isolation
guilt
emotional exhaustion
threat scanning
mindfulness
positive psychology
coping strategies
mental health
 

Life doesn't always go as planned. When stress, anxiety symptoms, or seasonal depression leave you feeling overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted, it's easy to focus on what's going wrong and miss the good things happening around you.
In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, a surprise sighting of lilacs blooming in the fall sparks a reminder to look for unexpected beauty, wonder, and joy, even in difficult seasons. Discover how making room for life's little surprises can help you counter stress, overwhelm, and depression and reconnect with positive moments, build resilience, and find joy along the way.
You don't have to wait for life to be perfect to experience something wonderful. 💜
LINK: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
KEYWORDS: stress, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, PTSD, emotional overwhelm, resilience, boundaries, loneliness, isolation, guilt, finding joy, joy in difficult times, unexpected happiness, positive psychology, mental wellness, coping strategies, hope, loneliness, burnout, mindfulness, gratitude, appreciating the little things, finding beauty in everyday life, emotional well-being, overcoming adversity, practical solutions for PTSD

Gratitude When You're Lonely: You Can Be Grateful and Still Need Connection
Can you be grateful and still feel lonely? Absolutely.
You can appreciate your life, your faith, your family, your pets, or the people around you and still wish someone were sitting beside you.
In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores loneliness, isolation, anxiety symptoms, depression, PTSD, relationship difficulties, and guilt through a different lens: gratitude doesn't replace connection. It can help you move toward it.
Discover how to use gratitude to notice the people already in your life, take small steps toward connection, and stop feeling guilty for wanting more.
Because being lonely doesn't mean you're ungrateful.
It means you're human.LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
KEYWORDS: 
loneliness
holiday loneliness
holiday isolation
isolation
anxiety symptoms
boundaries
gratitude
feeling lonely
feeling isolated
loneliness during the holidays
Thanksgiving loneliness
holiday depression
holiday stress
anxiety
depression
PTSD
seasonal depression
relationship difficulties
social isolation
connection
guilt
emotional exhaustion
burnout
 

Could what you eat actually support your mental health during the darker months?
When fall and winter hit, you may notice more than colder weather. Seasonal depression, anxiety symptoms, low energy, brain fog, changes in sleep or appetite, isolation, and burnout can make everything feel harder.
If you're wondering, “Why can't I just make myself do what I need to do?”, nutrition may be one practical piece of the puzzle.
In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori Owens explores 7 nutrition strategies to support brain health, mood, and mental wellness, including:
Omega-3s and brain health
Vitamin D and seasonal depression
B vitamins and magnesium
The gut-brain connection
Balanced meals for steadier energy
Mediterranean-style eating for overall mental health
No miracle foods. No perfect diet. No giant list of things you're supposed to do.
Just practical ways to nourish your brain and body when PTSD, anxiety, depression, seasonal depression, stress, or burnout are already making life feel harder.
One meal. One choice. One practical step at a time.
Keep moving forward.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.comKEYWORDS: 
seasonal depression
seasonal affective disorder
SAD
winter depression
seasonal depression symptoms
depression
anxiety
anxiety symptoms
isolation
loneliness
guilt
mental health
nutrition and mental health
food and mental health
nutrition for depression
nutrition for anxiety
winter mental health

Do you struggle with anxiety, PTSD, depression, seasonal depression, or burnout and constantly wonder, “Why can’t I just make myself do what I need to do?”
Self-control doesn't have to mean more pressure, more rules, or forcing yourself through exhaustion.
In this episode, we look at self-control, self-discipline, and self-regulation from a different perspective: as the ability to pause, choose your response, manage impulses, and take the next step that supports the life you want.
You'll learn how self-control can help with overthinking, avoidance, emotional reactions, guilt, boundaries, stress, and low motivation, while recognizing the difference between healthy self-regulation and overcontrol.
Because sometimes self-control means moving forward. Sometimes it means saying no, taking a break, asking for help, or adjusting your expectations to match your capacity.
You aren't failing because you don't have unlimited energy or perfect discipline.
You can pause. You can choose. You can adjust. You can begin again.
One choice at a time.LINK 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths: 24 Character Strengths List | VIA Institute
Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing
KEYWORDS:
self-control
self-discipline
self-regulation
anxiety symptoms
PTSD
depression
seasonal depression
burnout
stress
isolation
loneliness
low motivation
overthinking
avoidance
emotional regulation
emotional reactions
guilt
boundaries
overwhelm
exhaustion
coping strategies
mental health
 
 

Ever have one of those days when everything feels like too much?
Your stress is maxed out. You're emotionally exhausted. You don't want to deal with another person. Maybe you're avoiding things, struggling to focus, or wondering how you're going to get through the day.
In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, Lori explores hygge and seven tiny ways to bring more comfort, warmth, connection, and calm into a difficult fall day.
From opening the curtains and getting outside to putting on music, making something warm, texting someone, getting comfortable, and giving yourself something to look forward to, these simple strategies can help when you're dealing with PTSD, anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, stress, burnout, loneliness, isolation, or depression.
You don't have to fix everything today. Sometimes the next right step is simply finding one small thing that helps you feel a little more like yourself.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you're drowning in everything life is throwing at you, this episode gives you practical ways to keep moving forward.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
KEYWORDS: 
hygge
fall hygge
fall mental health
seasonal depression
anxiety symptoms
depression
isolation
loneliness
guilt
boundaries
PTSD
stress
burnout
emotional exhaustion
mental health coping strategies
coping with depression
coping with anxiety
stress management
self-care for mental health
 

What do you do when life goes sideways and stays there?
I sat down to record this episode and discovered my basement was flooding. What followed was hours of moving water, protecting a bedroom, and trying to find the source.
And it reminded me of something important about PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout.
Sometimes we have to deal with the immediate problem just to keep moving. But if we spend all our energy managing the mess, we can miss the bigger question:
Where is the water coming from?
Healing isn't just about mopping up the symptoms. At some point, we have to look upstream and address what's feeding the problem.
A flooded basement taught me a lesson about getting unstuck, finding the root cause, and moving forward one practical step at a time.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
KEYWORDS: PTSD, anxiety symptoms, stress, burnout, seasonal depression, guilt, getting unstuck, root cause, coping strategies, mental health, emotional overwhelm, feeling stuck, stress management, anxiety management, loneliness, isolation

Why do I feel stuck when I know exactly what I need to do?
Imposter syndrome can look a lot like PTSD, anxiety symptoms, stress, burnout, depression, avoidance, trouble focusing, or shutting down. You may know you’re capable, but your brain and body seem to slam on the brakes.
In this episode, Lori talks with Amy Wadlington about what may really be behind that stuck feeling. They explore three possible sources: spiritual, mindset, and physical/nervous-system responses, including the trauma patterns of freeze, fight, flight, and fawn.
You’ll discover practical ways to move forward when anxiety, trauma, guilt, overwhelm, or self-doubt are keeping you from taking action, including prayer, breathing, worship, rest, micro-steps, and speaking biblical truth.
If you’re emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed by decisions, avoiding what needs to be done, or wondering “What is wrong with me?”, this conversation offers a different perspective:
You may not be broken. You may need to understand what your brain and body are trying to tell you.
Learn how to recognize what’s keeping you stuck, take the next right step, and keep moving forward.
LINKS: 
Connect with Amy
https://amywadlington.com/ 
Prophetic Breakthrough for Christian Women
Connect with Lori
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
KEYWORDS: 
imposter syndrome, PTSD, anxiety, anxiety symptoms, stress, burnout, trauma, nervous system, trauma response, feeling stuck, overcoming imposter syndrome, self-doubt, overwhelm, boundaries, loneliness, isolation

Do you overthink every decision, worry about what could go wrong, or avoid things because they feel too risky?
When PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, stress, or burnout are already draining your energy, making decisions can feel overwhelming. You may react quickly, shut down, struggle to focus, or find yourself stuck in endless “what ifs.”
But prudence isn't about controlling everything.
In this episode, we look at prudence, or self-regulation, as a practical tool for creating space between the feeling and the response. You’ll learn how to pause, consider your options, recognize your capacity, set boundaries, plan for stressful situations, and take the next step without letting fear make every decision for you.
Because wise choices don't require perfect certainty.
Sometimes prudence means planning ahead. Sometimes it means saying no. And sometimes it means taking the next step even when there’s still some uncertainty.
If you're tired of overthinking, avoidance, guilt, isolation, or feeling stuck, this episode offers a practical way to respond with purpose instead of simply reacting.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths: 24 Character Strengths List | VIA Institute
Not Broken. Equipped Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Map8J-WkTf4VmqpvfEnnDSOh_txnnqeCf1xecS3OB6c/edit?usp=sharing
KEYWORDS: prudence, self-regulation, PTSD, PTSD coping strategies, anxiety symptoms, depression, seasonal depression, stress, burnout, anxiety coping strategies, depression coping strategies, guilt, boundaries 

Do you feel stuck in a cycle of depression, anxiety, stress, or burnout, knowing what you need to do but unable to find the energy to do it?
When PTSD, depression, anxiety symptoms, stress, or burnout take over, even simple things can feel overwhelming. You may feel emotionally exhausted, isolated, shut down, or struggle with trouble focusing.
But you don’t have to go from frozen to fully operational all at once.
In this episode of Practical Solutions for PTSD, I’m sharing 3 things that have helped me break the depression cycle again and again:
1. Take small steps. Focus on the next doable thing instead of trying to fix everything at once.
2. Get help. We aren’t meant to do everything alone. That might mean getting support from your doctor, counselor, chiropractor, church, friends, or even getting help with basic needs like food and nutrition.
3. Put God first. When you don’t have strength for the whole journey, ask God for strength for the next step.
If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety symptoms, PTSD, stress, burnout, guilt, isolation, loneliness, relationship difficulties, or trouble focusing, this episode is your reminder:
Start small. Get help. Put God first. Then take the next step.
LINKS: 
Boundary Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Sign up for an Anxiety and Depression Breakthrough Coaching Sessionhttps://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/breakthrough
Website: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com
Become an Insider by signing up for the weekly newsletter: insider.grwebsite.com
Join our Facebook community: (1) Overcome Depression & Anxiety - Use Positive Psychology to Combat PTSD | Facebook
Get in touch! info@practicalsolutionsforptsd.comKEYWORDS: 
depression
depression cycle
seasonal depression
guilt
loneliness
isolation
boundaries
how to break the depression cycle
how to get unstuck from depression
anxiety
anxiety symptoms
burnout
stress
PTSD
overcoming depression
getting unstuck
feeling stuck
depression help