Anxiety and Free

E19: The Trauma-Informed Holiday: Mental Preparation & Self-Care Checklist

Anxiety and Free

Show Notes

In this episode, Marquita discusses the concept of a trauma-informed holiday, providing listeners with a mental preparation and self-care checklist to navigate the emotional challenges that often arise during the holiday season. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal triggers, creating safe spaces, establishing signals for support, and implementing breaks to manage stress. The episode also highlights the significance of prioritizing self-care and the right to say no to situations that may be harmful or uncomfortable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode 02:42 Understanding Holiday Triggers and Trauma 05:02 Creating Safe Spaces During the Holidays 08:18 Establishing Signals for Support 10:41 Implementing Breaks and Reset Rules 13:07 Using Routine Tasks as Excuses 15:49 Bookending the Day for Mental Health 18:14 The Right to Say No: Prioritizing Self-Care

➡️ Next Steps1. Like & Subscribe for more mental health conversations.2. Hit the 🔔 to never miss an episode.3. Drop your biggest takeaway or question below—I value your feedback!𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞? 📱Follow our instagram! @anxietyandfree 📱Connect with Marquita [email protected]𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭?𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: https://www.marquitamyrick.com/about/...𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤:www.marquitamyrick.com/podcast/DISCLAIMERThe information contained on this page (@anxietyandfree) is for educational and informative purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional mental health, medical, legal, or other advice.

More from Anxiety and Free

May 27, 2026

In this episode, Marquita discusses her journey through the perimenopause phase, sharing personal experiences, symptoms, and insights into managing this transition. Whether you're in a similar phase or curious about perimenopause, this episode offers relatable stories and practical advice.

Jan 19, 2026

In this episode, Marquita discusses the recent open enrollment for health insurance and its implications for mental health. She draws parallels between qualifying life events that allow individuals to change their health insurance and the significant life events that could warrant seeking therapy. Marquita emphasizes that events such as marriage, divorce, birth, death, and job loss are not only pivotal moments in life but also opportunities for personal growth and healing through therapy. She encourages listeners to rethink these events as triggers for seeking mental health support rather than waiting for crises to arise.

Dec 23, 2025

In this episode, Marquita discusses the concept of capacity in mental health, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's limits and the signs of the pop culture term "functional depression." She shares personal experiences and insights on how to identify when one has reached their maximum capacity and the necessity of seeking help. The conversation highlights the importance of self-care, the role of mental health professionals, and the need to take action for better mental wellness.

Nov 5, 2025

In this episode, Marquita delves into the concept of 'consistency culture' and its impact on personal and professional life. She shares personal experiences and challenges with maintaining consistency, especially after moving to Maine. Marquita discusses the societal pressures of being consistent, the toxic aspects of consistency culture, and how it affects mental health. She emphasizes the importance of redefining consistency to fit individual lifestyles and encourages listeners to identify areas where they are consistent and build on them. The episode also touches on parenting, marriage, self-care, and mental health, offering insights into how consistency can be beneficial in these areas.

Oct 19, 2025

In this episode, Marquita Myrick introduces the concept of Cognitive Defusion, a technique from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aimed at helping individuals manage negative thoughts. She explains how to visualize these thoughts and offers practical strategies for pushing them away to gain perspective. The episode emphasizes the importance of asking open-ended questions to foster psychological flexibility and encourages listeners to consider therapy for additional support.

See all episodes →