#79: How to Handle Holiday Overwhelm - Practical Tips with Jo Rodriquez
Tue Dec 16 2025
How do you actually cope with all the pressure and stress that comes with the festive season?
In this episode of the Hello Therapy podcast, I'm joined by Health Psychologist, Jo Rodriguez. We talk about the real, often hidden challenges that people face around Christmas. Together, we explore everything from fatigue, family dynamics, loneliness, and the overwhelming “perfect Christmas” pressure, to practical strategies for checking in with yourself and regulating stress.
Whether you love or struggle with the holidays, you’ll find compassionate, relatable tips to make the festive period a little more manageable.
Highlights include:
3:18 Hidden Stresses Of The Festive Season
7:01 Loneliness, Exhaustion And Family Pressure
12:26 Spotting Fatigue And Early Warning Signs
19:01 Practical Basics To Reduce Overwhelm
24:11 Inner Critic, Perfectionism And Expectations
30:21 Flexibility And Rethinking Traditions
36:06 Body Regulation Over Head-Only Strategies
This week's guest:
Jo Rodriguez is a UK-based Health Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience helping people who feel anxious, overwhelmed, and stuck in their own heads. She works with the mind and the body. CBT, EMDR, EFT, and nervous system tools.
Jo is known for her straight-talking, compassionate style and her ability to explain why you feel the way you do, without making you feel broken or blamed. Her work focuses on helping people calm their bodies, untangle overthinking, and feel more like themselves again.
Website
Tell us what you thought of this episode!
***Check out Dr Liz White's YouTube channel for help with anxiety and OCD***
If overthinking and worry is draining you, start with my 30-minute mini course How to Stop Spiralling. It gives you the exact tools I teach clients to interrupt thought loops in real time.
If you want something for the moments you’re already anxious or overwhelmed, the Spiral Rescue Kit has guided audios and a printable SOS plan you can use anywhere.
→ Get both HERE (get £5 off when you buy both or gift it to a friend!)
-> SOCIALS DISCLAIMER -
The Hello Therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Liz White (DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS, CSci, HCPC reg.), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute personalised advice. Please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional if you need support.
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How do you actually cope with all the pressure and stress that comes with the festive season? In this episode of the Hello Therapy podcast, I'm joined by Health Psychologist, Jo Rodriguez. We talk about the real, often hidden challenges that people face around Christmas. Together, we explore everything from fatigue, family dynamics, loneliness, and the overwhelming “perfect Christmas” pressure, to practical strategies for checking in with yourself and regulating stress. Whether you love or struggle with the holidays, you’ll find compassionate, relatable tips to make the festive period a little more manageable. Highlights include: 3:18 Hidden Stresses Of The Festive Season 7:01 Loneliness, Exhaustion And Family Pressure 12:26 Spotting Fatigue And Early Warning Signs 19:01 Practical Basics To Reduce Overwhelm 24:11 Inner Critic, Perfectionism And Expectations 30:21 Flexibility And Rethinking Traditions 36:06 Body Regulation Over Head-Only Strategies This week's guest: Jo Rodriguez is a UK-based Health Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience helping people who feel anxious, overwhelmed, and stuck in their own heads. She works with the mind and the body. CBT, EMDR, EFT, and nervous system tools. Jo is known for her straight-talking, compassionate style and her ability to explain why you feel the way you do, without making you feel broken or blamed. Her work focuses on helping people calm their bodies, untangle overthinking, and feel more like themselves again. Website Tell us what you thought of this episode! ***Check out Dr Liz White's YouTube channel for help with anxiety and OCD*** If overthinking and worry is draining you, start with my 30-minute mini course How to Stop Spiralling. It gives you the exact tools I teach clients to interrupt thought loops in real time. If you want something for the moments you’re already anxious or overwhelmed, the Spiral Rescue Kit has guided audios and a printable SOS plan you can use anywhere. → Get both HERE (get £5 off when you buy both or gift it to a friend!) -> SOCIALS DISCLAIMER - The Hello Therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Liz White (DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS, CSci, HCPC reg.), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute personalised advice. Please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional if you need support.