The holiday season (the period between Thanksgiving until the New Year) is supposed to be a joyous time, full of celebrations with family and friends. But for many people, "the most wonderful time of year"... tis’ the season to feel stressed and anxious.

It's normal to feel stressed or lower than usual at Christmas, especially if it's a time of year that brings back difficult memories or heightens or worsens any ongoing problems you may be going through. But there are things we can do to ease the stress and take the pressure off ourselves and there is no better guest than anxiety expert Joshua Fletcher to help us do this.

Joshua Fletcher is a psychotherapist and best-selling anxiety author, based in Manchester, specialising in the field of anxiety disorders and stress management. Chatting to host Gabby, Josh explains why we need to stop trying to create ‘the perfect Christmas’ and pleasing people when it compromises our own happiness. Josh also advises how we can deal with difficult relatives at family get-togethers and shares some tips on how to overcome anxiety at Christmas parties. He also stresses why it’s just as important to carve time out for ourselves, as it is to carve out the Christmas turkey.

For more on Joshua Fletcher: https://schoolofanxiety.com/

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

Anyone can experience a mental health problem. But those who identify as LGBTQIA+ are more likely to develop problems like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self harm, suicidal feelings, post-traumatic stress disorders and substance abuse. Being LGBTQIA+ doesn't cause these problems. But the struggles and challenges commonly faced such as homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, stigma and discrimination, difficult experiences of coming out, social isolation, exclusion, bullying and rejection are significant factors as to why so many suffer greatly with their mental health.

In this special one off episode of the My Possible Self podcast host Gabby is exploring sexuality and the impact it has on a person's mental health. She is joined by reality TV star, social media influencer, personal trainer and mental health ambassador Charlie King and activist, entrepreneur, head of social impact and a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice within the LGBTQIA+ community Chloe Davies.

This is a podcast that everyone should listen to no matter how they identify. On the 50 year anniversary of Pride month we dedicate this episode to all who have suffered at the hands of injustice. And to those who fought, and continue to fight, for the opportunity to live authentically in a world where everyone is treated with equality and love.

Recent studies suggest that bullying in adolescence and childhood can have worse long-term effects on young adult‘s mental health than being subject to maltreatment during childhood. According to a report gathered by The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme; 22% of young people aged 12-20 in the UK say they have experienced bullying behaviour in the past 12 months, 27% of young people say they have witnessed bullying behaviour in the last 12 months, and 36% of young people aged 8 to 22 are worried about experiencing bullying behaviour at school, college or university.

In the final episode of My Possible Self’s trilogy of podcasts looking at how Bullying can effect a person’s mental health and what we can do about it, host Gabby is joined by a passionate panel of experts on the subject. NSPCC Head of Local campaigns and Childline spokesperson Helen Westerman, business strategist and anti-bullying campaigner Lisa Johnson and Lucy Howard Head of Content and Media for the UK anti-bullying charity BulliesOut.

For more information and advice on this subject matter head to https://bulliesout.com/

In the UK, you can also call Childline for free on 0800 1111.

For the rest of the world: Child Helplines - Child Helpline International