Why the Holidays Feel So Hard (And What to Do Instead)

Описание: The holidays can bring joy, but for many women they also bring pressure, overwhelm, grief, and emotional exhaustion. In this episode of HER Daily Rhythm, we explore why the holidays feel so hard and how to navigate them in a more mindful, nourishing way.
Host Natalie Smyth is joined by returning guest Sweta Vikram, bestselling author, certified grief coach, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and Doctor of Ayurveda. Together, they unpack the unrealistic expectations placed on women during the holiday season, from family dynamics and financial stress to social performance and emotional labour.

This conversation offers grounded, practical tools to help you protect your mental wellbeing, set boundaries without guilt, and redefine joy on your own terms. We discuss nervous system regulation, grief during the holidays, authenticity, and simple Ayurvedic practices to stay balanced when routines are disrupted.

If the holidays feel like too much, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, choose presence over performance, and honour what truly nourishes you.

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00:00 Mindful Holidays & Mental Wellbeing
00:16 Sweta Vikram on Ayurveda, Grief & Trauma-Informed Healing
01:23 The Pressure to Curate Perfect Holiday Moments
03:16 Holiday Perfectionism & Emotional Burnout
06:22 Balancing Holiday Traditions and Mental Health
08:32 Managing Holiday Expectations Without Guilt
11:12 Authenticity, Boundaries & Learning to Say No
15:51 Global Grief, Loneliness & the Holiday Season
23:22 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays
23:56 Self-Connection, Assertiveness & Emotional Safety
25:25 Setting Boundaries with Family (The Buddy System)
27:46 Dealing with Narcissistic Family Members
32:56 Trauma-Informed Yoga & Nervous System Regulation
35:46 Practical Self-Care Tips for Holiday Stress
40:28 Finding Meaning, Signs & Self-Fulfilment
42:29 Closing Reflections & Intentions for the New Year

Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com) is an international speaker, best-selling author of 14 books, award-winning entrepreneur, a certified grief coach, trauma-informed yoga teacher, Adjunct Professor, and Doctor of Ayurveda (AD) who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. Her latest book is The Loss that Binds Us: 108 Tips on Coping With Grief and Loss (Loving Healing Press). As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC, NPR, iHeartRadio, and Radio Lifeforce and in a documentary with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, health, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications across nine countries on three continents. Sweta holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. Voted as “One of the Most Influential Asians of Our Times” and winner of the “Voices of the Year” award (past recipients include Chelsea Clinton), she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients across the globe. She also teaches yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

  / swetaswordsandwellness  
  / swetavikram  
  / swetavikram  

This podcast is in collaboration between Natalie Smyth, a registered Naturopath & women's holistic health practitioner found at:
www.nataliesmyth.co
  / nataliealyssasmyth  

With, FemVed a Holistic Wellness Platform for Women creating easy holistic wellness plans, seamlessly integrated with personal consultancy by experts and access to an empathetic support by a like-minded community, more information can be found at:
https://www.femved.com/
  / femvedwellness  



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