145: Reframing The Mental Load with Sarah Harmon

Jamie and Emily start this episode by sharing their recent walk, emphasizing the significance of spending time with friends and prioritizing self-care. They then introduce the guest for the episode, Sarah Harmon (@the.schoolofmom), who excels in prioritizing both these aspects. Sarah, a licensed mental health therapist, yoga/mindfulness teacher, corporate wellness expert, and founder of The School of MOM and Parent Wellness Group, is commended for her ability to offer practical tools for self-care and breaking generational cycles.

In their conversation with Sarah, they dive into the concept of the "mental load." Sarah suggests reframing the mental load as a "brain-body load," emphasizing its impact not only on mental but also emotional and physical well-being. She emphasizes the need to recognize and address the negative emotional component, and explore the potential for personal growth and empowerment that comes from understanding and managing the brain-body load, viewing it as an opportunity for self-awareness and assertiveness in defining one's needs and boundaries within relationships. They explore the role of community and partners in supporting personal growth and emotional well-being, and Sarah discusses her journey of self-discovery and empowerment within her relationship. They also discuss the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community, as demonstrated by Sarah's program "Flourish," which aims to help mothers prioritize self-care, break generational patterns, and create a hopeful future for themselves and their families.

In this week's Ask a Nurse segment, Emily discusses addressing parental concerns regarding sick children during sleep training. Sharing a scenario from her sister's experience, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a child's comfort and health over strict sleep routines. Emily provides practical guidance on determining when to intervene and offers reassurance to parents navigating similar situations.

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