Creating Midlife Calm: Coping Skills for Stress & Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships

MJ Murray Vachon LCSW
  • 5.0 (21)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Coping Skills for Midlife Stress and Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The anxiety and stress of this life stage can drain your energy, fuel overthinking, and make it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast offers practical coping skills to help you reduce anxiety, manage stress, and rediscover a calmer, more confident version of yourself. In Creating Midlife Calm, you’ll discover how to: Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that boost your clarity, energy, and confidence.Cultivate calm and joy through practical, affordable coping skills that help you handle life’s daily challenges.Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 50,000 hours of clinical experience and 32 years teaching mental wellness, as she guides you to reclaim your inner calm. Learn to stay grounded in the present, navigate midlife transitions with clarity, and build emotional resilience using proven coping tools. Every Monday, MJ dives into real stories and science-backed insights to help you shift from anxious to centered—ending each episode with an “Inner Challenge” you can practice right away. Then, on Thursdays, she shares a brief follow-up episode that connects, deepens, or expands the week’s topic, helping you apply these skills in real life. Let’s evolve from crisis to calm—and make midlife your most balanced and fulfilling chapter yet. 🎧 Start with listener favorite Ep. 138 to feel the difference calm can make.      

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep. 229 Coping Skills to Overcome the Biggest Saboteurs of Midlife Weight Loss—and Decrease Anxiety & Stress

    Do you keep setting weight-loss goals in midlife only to feel derailed by self-criticism, slipups, or emotional eating? You’re not alone—these struggles are common in midlife and say nothing about your motivation or worth. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.     How common internal saboteurs quietly undermine midlife weight loss 2.     Why shifting from pressure and perfection to a more compassionate, abundant mindset helps you stay consistent and resilient 3.     Practical coping skills that support midlife weight loss while also decreasing anxiety and stress along the way 🎧 Take 12 minutes to learn coping skills that help you overcome midlife weight-loss obstacles and feel calmer and more supported—you’re worth it.   Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    12 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Ep. 228 A Calmer Approach to Midlife Weight Loss Using Coping Skills That Reduce Anxiety & Stress While You Lose Weight

    Are you trying to lose weight in midlife without increasing anxiety, stress, or shame along the way? You’re not alone—many capable, motivated midlife adults feel discouraged by approaches that rely on pressure, urgency, and self-criticism. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    How shifting away from pressure, urgency, and self-judgment toward a calmer, more supportive approach creates sustainable midlife weight loss 2.     Why anxiety and stress interfere with weight loss in midlife—and how nervous-system-friendly coping skills help your body cooperate instead of resist 3.     Practical coping skills that support weight loss while reducing overwhelm, burnout, and emotional exhaustion 🎧 Take 12 minutes to approach midlife weight loss with coping skills that reduce anxiety and stress—so change can finally last—you’re worth it. Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    12 min

  3. JAN 8

    Ep. 227 Make Your Midlife Resolutions Stick with an Abundant Mindset and Coping Skills That Ease Anxiety and Stress

    What if your resolutions could feel doable instead of draining? You deserve goals that support you, not stress you out. In this episode, you’ll discover: How creating resolutions that align with your demanding life reduces midlife anxiety and creates meaningful motivationWhy allowing discomfort — instead of resisting it — builds stronger coping skills for lasting changeHow to set resolutions that honor your worth, your values, and the real life you’re living🎧 Take 8 minutes to build calm, supportive goals this year—you’re worth it. Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    9 min

  4. JAN 5

    Ep. 226 Why Trying Harder Won’t Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick in Midlife—and the Coping Skill That Lowers Anxiety & Stress While Helping You Succeed

    Why do midlife resolutions feel so stressful—and why don’t they seem to stick, no matter how hard you try? You’re not alone if January brings pressure instead of calm, let’s change this! In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.     Why “trying harder” increases midlife anxiety and stress instead of easing them 2.     The easy and natural  mindset shift  that supports real change in midlife.  3.     Three coping skills that make New Year’s goals feel calm, sustainable, and aligned with who you are now 🎧 Take 11 minutes to start your year grounded in self-worth—not pressure—you’re worth it. Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    12 min

  5. JAN 1

    Ep. 225 6 Minutes to a More Abundant New Year: Transform Resolutions to Ease Midlife Anxiety & Stress

    Does the pressure to “get it right” in 2026 already have your anxiety rising? If you’re in midlife, January often brings more stress than calm—and it’s time for a different way forward. 1.    Learn why typical resolutions often fail and fuel anxiety, especially in midlife 2.    Understand the difference between the “good life” and the “abundant life”—and why it matters now 3.    Discover how to root your goals, resolutions and coping skills in compassion and calm, not pressure and performance If you’re ready to approach the new year with less stress and more self-trust, this episode is your starting point. Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    7 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    Ep. 224 Before 2025 Ends: A 8 Minute Festive Way To Banish Midlife Anxiety and Stress—No Coping Skill Needed!

    Are you craving a gentler and fun way to close out 2025?  Why not reflect on 2025 with calm, abundance and connection? In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.    A simple and festive five-minute practice to calm midlife anxiety and stress as you bring 2025 to a close. 2.    A simple and fun way  to identify your Moments of Abundance from 2025 3.    A gentle end-of-year practice that helps you reconnect with joy, courage, rest, and the people who steadied you  Take five minutes to feel lighter and more grounded before the year ends—you’re worth it. Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    9 min

  7. 12/25/2025

    Ep. 223 The Incredible 2-Minute Christmas Gift That Will Ease Your Anxiety, Stress, and Midlife Loneliness

    What if Christmas didn’t have to feel like something happening to you create and enjoy? You’re not alone if this holiday brings complicated feelings, stress, or midlife anxiety. In this episode, you’ll discover: How  a single word can bring you back into agency and calm on a day that often feels overwhelmingWhy a mental “movie” helps anchor your body and nervous system to reduce stress and make you feel calm this Christmas. Take 2 minutes to feel more grounded and connected—you’re worth it.  Merry Christmas and a Calm New Year! Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    2 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Ep. 222 A Surprising Coping Skill to Ease Holiday Anxiety, Stress, and Midlife Lonelines

    Have the holidays ever made your loneliness feel heavier?  You’re not alone—midlife anxiety and stress often peak the week before Christmas. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1.     Why loneliness intensifies during the holidays, especially in midlife 2.     How understanding the biology of loneliness softens your judgement helping you reduce loneliness.  3.     A gentle coping skill that helps you feel more connected.  🎧 Take 6 minutes to bring more calm and connection to your week—you’re worth it.   Send us a text **** About the Host: MJ Murray Vachon LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of experience teaching her Mental Wellness curriculum, Inner Challenge. Four years ago she overcame her fear of technology to create a podcast that integrated her vast clinical experience and practical wisdom of cultivating mental wellness using the latest information from neuroscience. MJ was Social Worker of the Year in 2011 for Region 2/IN. Creating Midlife Calm is a podcast designed to guide you through the challenges of midlife, tackling issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy, procrastination, and isolation, while offering strategies for improving relationships, family support, emotional wellbeing, mental wellness, and parenting, with a focus on mindfulness, stress management, coping skills, and personal growth to stop rumination, overthinking, and increase confidence through self-care, emotional healing, and mental health support.

    7 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Coping Skills for Midlife Stress and Anxiety in Family, Work & Relationships Forget the midlife crisis—how about creating midlife calm? The anxiety and stress of this life stage can drain your energy, fuel overthinking, and make it hard to enjoy what should be the best years of your life. This podcast offers practical coping skills to help you reduce anxiety, manage stress, and rediscover a calmer, more confident version of yourself. In Creating Midlife Calm, you’ll discover how to: Be happier, more present, and more effective at home and work.Transform stress and anxiety into powerful tools that boost your clarity, energy, and confidence.Cultivate calm and joy through practical, affordable coping skills that help you handle life’s daily challenges.Join MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, a seasoned therapist with over 50,000 hours of clinical experience and 32 years teaching mental wellness, as she guides you to reclaim your inner calm. Learn to stay grounded in the present, navigate midlife transitions with clarity, and build emotional resilience using proven coping tools. Every Monday, MJ dives into real stories and science-backed insights to help you shift from anxious to centered—ending each episode with an “Inner Challenge” you can practice right away. Then, on Thursdays, she shares a brief follow-up episode that connects, deepens, or expands the week’s topic, helping you apply these skills in real life. Let’s evolve from crisis to calm—and make midlife your most balanced and fulfilling chapter yet. 🎧 Start with listener favorite Ep. 138 to feel the difference calm can make.      

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