Finding Our Way After A Difficult Birth

What happens when pregnancy or birth is very different from the experience we had hoped for – and why can it still affect us years later?Difficult experiences around pregnancy and birth can have a lasting emotional impact, shaping how we feel about what happened, ourselves and the transition into parenthood.In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David is joined by counsellor and EMDR therapist Julie Lee to look at why these experiences can stay with us – and what can help us find a way forward.Birth is far more than a physical event. Fear, powerlessness, uncertainty, loss of control or feeling unheard can all affect how we experience and remember what happened. When we become overwhelmed, it can also become much harder to speak up or make decisions. Understanding this can help us make sense of the guilt and self-blame that sometimes follow.Loss and grief are also an important part of many experiences – from the pregnancy or birth we had imagined to choices that mattered to us, missed skin-to-skin contact or being unable to breastfeed. Giving ourselves space to acknowledge these losses can be part of processing what happened, rather than feeling we simply have to ‘get on with it’.Finding a way forward can begin with feeling heard and understood. We consider how to recognise the people with whom we feel emotionally safe, when additional support may help and how reconnecting with the present can create space for new experiences and moments of connection.This is a hopeful conversation about understanding what we have been through with greater compassion, finding the support we need and recognising that difficult experiences can be part of our story without defining what comes next.Key moments00:00 Why birth experiences can stay with us03:14 When birth becomes more than a physical event06:55 The pressure to just ‘get on with it’09:47 Feeling unheard and losing a sense of control12:31 Why didn’t I speak up?14:23 The experience partners can carry15:29 Who am I now? Becoming a parent21:57 Grieving what we hoped would happen28:52 Why reassurance can miss the mark32:36 Choosing the right person for support35:37 What does emotional safety feel like? About the guestJulie Lee is a counsellor, clinical supervisor and EMDR therapist specialising in birth trauma and baby loss. Based in Devon, she supports women to process traumatic experiences with compassion and evidence-based approaches, helping them find hope and move forward after difficult pregnancies or births.Alongside her therapeutic work, Julie provides clinical supervision for counsellors and facilitates reflective practice groups for NHS teams and other organisations, creating supportive spaces where professionals can reflect, process their experiences and sustain their wellbeing.You can contact Julie via her website, Instagram or LinkedIn About the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

What if the more we try to think our way out of a problem, the more stuck we become? In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr Jessamy Hibberd about why we overthink – and what can help us step out of the cycle.Overthinking can take many forms – replaying conversations, dwelling on past events, worrying about what might happen or repeatedly questioning whether we have made the right decision. Although it can feel as though thinking harder will bring clarity or certainty, it can instead leave us feeling worse and take our attention away from the people and experiences that matter to us.Overthinking can be particularly difficult to let go of when we feel anxious, low, ashamed or uncertain. Using the image of a spotlight, Jessamy describes how our attention can narrow around one problem until it begins to feel like the whole picture – making it harder to see other perspectives or possibilities.The episode looks at practical ways to interrupt this pattern, from noticing when overthinking has taken hold to changing what we are doing before trying to change what we think. Movement, connecting with other people and taking small actions can broaden our perspective, build self-trust and help us learn from what actually happens rather than what our minds predict.The conversation also considers the role of uncertainty, discomfort and the expectations we place on ourselves. Accepting that we cannot always feel good, know for certain or get everything right may leave more room for living our lives rather than continually analysing them.Key moments 00:00 When attention gets stuck 03:35 When thinking becomes overthinking 07:20 Different ways we overthink 10:26 The search for certainty 13:18 Why we get stuck in our thoughts 17:06 Choice Pause – creating space 21:04 Why overthinking is hard to change 22:37 Steps for breaking the cycle 26:04 Why taking action can help 30:22 Changing what we do first 32:09 Building confidence through small steps 36:11 Letting go of impossible expectations About the guestDr Jessamy Hibberd is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, bestselling author and speaker with more than 20 years' experience supporting adults with mental health difficulties. She has written ten books, including The Overthinking Cure: How to free your mind and focus on what really matters and The Imposter Cure: Beat insecurities and gain self-belief.Jessamy also works as a media psychologist, appearing on national radio, podcasts and in publications including The Guardian and Good Housekeeping. Her motto is: ‘What we do every day makes the biggest difference. It’s small steps that lead to the greatest changes.’ She shared this message, and her personal and professional experience of how to find happiness, in her TEDx talk ‘Adventure of a Lifetime.’ You can contact Jessamy via her website, follow her newsletter, find her books and connect via social media @drjessamyAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

What if the way we respond to our bodies could make a difference to recovery? In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr Michelle Gregory about functional neurological disorder (FND), drawing on Michelle’s clinical expertise and her own experience of developing and recovering from the condition.FND can cause a wide range of symptoms, from changes in movement and speech to seizures, pain and fatigue. Michelle shares her experience of suddenly developing symptoms she couldn’t explain, and why having them taken seriously and understanding what was happening made such a difference.The conversation looks at the complex relationship between our brains, bodies and the world around us. Stress, attention, past experiences, neurodivergence and the demands we place on ourselves can all play a part. Sometimes we may also become used to pushing through tiredness, discomfort or other signals from our bodies without really noticing what we need.Rather than fighting symptoms or searching for one simple explanation, becoming curious about patterns can offer another way forward. This might include noticing what makes symptoms better or worse, recognising when different pressures are building up and finding a balance between doing too much and too little.There is real hope in the possibility of recovery from FND. Gradually building confidence, finding greater flexibility and learning to trust ourselves can all play a part – alongside seeing the body as an ally, rather than something working against us.Key moments00:45 Michelle’s journey with FND04:17 The uncertainty of unexplained symptoms07:46 How brain and body communicate10:24 Why it matters to feel believed and understood13:18 What can make us vulnerable to FND?18:34 The Choice Pause – meeting your body with compassion20:58 Are we listening to our needs?26:54 Understanding patterns and symptoms31:57 Finding an individual way forward35:29 The importance of balance36:40 Supporting someone with FND40:07 Seeing your body as an allyAbout the guestDr Michelle Gregory is a clinical psychologist specialising in supporting adults and young people living with long-term health conditions, including functional neurological disorder (FND) and long Covid. She is the author of Coping with Functional Neurological Disorder: Listening to your Body, Finding Balance and Moving towards Recovery.Drawing on both clinical and lived experience, Michelle combines evidence-based psychological approaches with warmth and compassion to help people better understand their symptoms, rebuild confidence and support recovery. She also provides affirming support for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals.You can connect with Michelle via her website, on Instagram or follow her Patreon page for evidence-based insights about FND.About the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

What if pushing ourselves harder isn’t actually helping us perform at our best? In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Susie Muir, palliative care doctor and professional life and leadership coach, about why doing more, multitasking and pushing through exhaustion can undermine our performance – and what can help us work and live more effectively instead.We look at why rest and recovery aren’t about lowering our standards, but can be essential for sustaining them. Understanding our own capacity, strengths and what gives or drains our energy can help us decide where to put our effort – rather than expecting ourselves to keep doing everything, all of the time.We also consider what happens to our brains under pressure – why multitasking is really rapid task switching, how too much stress can affect memory, decision making and insight and why this can make it particularly difficult to recognise when we need to step away and recover.Drawing on thousands of conversations with people approaching the end of life, the discussion widens to what success really means and what matters when we look back on our lives. Connection, everyday moments and making space for what we genuinely value can easily be lost when productivity and busyness take over.This is a conversation about redefining high performance – not by achieving less, but by finding more sustainable ways to pursue what matters without expecting ourselves to be superhuman.Key moments01:08 Why we strive to be superhuman04:46 Rest, recovery and performance09:40 Why connection matters11:44 Lessons from palliative care17:28 Rethinking high performance22:52 Strengths, values and priorities25:40 Boundaries and saying yes27:05 The problem with multitasking31:52 How stress affects performance36:25 Recognising signs of overload42:45 Permission to be humanAbout Dr Susie MuirDr Susie Muir has been a doctor for 20 years and is dual trained in general practice and palliative care. She is also a professional life and leadership coach, focusing on leading ourselves in order to lead others. Drawing on her experience in healthcare and thousands of conversations with people at the end of their lives, Susie is determined to support people to perform at their best at home, at work and in life.You can connect with Susie via her website, LinkedIn or InstagramAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

How can being around water have such a powerful effect on how we think, feel and relate to others?In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with blue health coach, ocean advocate and author Lizzi Larbalestier about our relationship with water and what the growing science of blue health can tell us about its effects on our minds, bodies and behaviour.Research suggests that being near the sea, rivers and lakes can influence our mood and thinking, encourage physical activity and play, stimulate creativity and even change the way we interact with other people.But blue health isn’t only about getting to the coast. Water is part of our everyday environment – in rain and clouds, showers, fountains, canals and the water we drink. Paying more attention to it can engage our senses, create a pause from some of the demands around us and open up different ways of thinking.Water can also offer a vivid reminder of movement and change. Waves rise and fall, rivers flow and even the stillest lake is continually shifting. When we are searching for certainty in a world that is constantly changing, perhaps the more useful goal is clarity – helping us see what matters and choose how we want to move forwards.Our experiences around water can also shape our relationship with the natural world. As places become more familiar and meaningful to us, we may become more curious about them, more aware of the life they support and more motivated to protect them.An engaging exploration of the science of blue health and the surprising ways water can influence our everyday lives.Key moments00:49 Why does water affect our wellbeing?05:45 The science of blue health09:32 Why connection to nature matters10:49 Blue health beyond the coast15:38 Why do ideas come in the shower?19:24 The Choice Pause – creating space through water21:19 What water teaches us about change25:54 Water and the nervous system29:54 The emotional range of water31:07 Why we protect what we love36:22 The surprising power of everyday water38:10 Bringing more fluidity into our livesAbout the guest Lizzi Larbalestier is an award-winning ICF Blue Health Coach, marine-based change facilitator and author of The Healing Power of Water: The Essential Guide to Blue Health. She coaches individuals and trains professional coaches at the coast in the UK and overseas. Her work brings together blue health, environmental psychology and ocean advocacy, using water and coastal environments to explore how we think, make decisions and respond to uncertainty and change. Her approach also makes space for curiosity, philosophical discussion and playfulness, while encouraging a deeper connection with the natural world.You can connect with Lizzi via her website, Instagram or sign up to her newsletter.About the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

Becoming a parent is one of life's biggest transitions. Alongside the practical changes of caring for a new baby can come profound shifts in identity, relationships, emotions and mental health.In this episode, perinatal psychologist Julianne Boutaleb joins Dr Lee David to explore why this period can feel so challenging and why many new parents are surprised by the intensity of the experience. From changes in the brain and heightened sensitivity to uncertainty through to sleep deprivation, relationship changes and the loss of the village that once helped families raise children, the conversation explores some of the reasons life with a new baby can feel harder than expected.Julianne explains how modern parents often place enormous pressure on themselves to get everything right. They discuss perfectionism, social comparison and the belief that we should somehow instinctively know how to care for a baby. The discussion highlights why babies do not need perfect parents and how the idea of "good enough" parenting may be more helpful than many people realise.The episode also explores the importance of connection and support. Julianne reflects on the role of partners, family, friends and wider communities in helping parents navigate the emotional ups and downs of early parenthood. She explains why asking for help can be difficult and why many parents mistakenly believe they should be able to manage alone.Lee and Julianne also discuss perinatal mental health, including anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and birth trauma. They explore how to recognise when additional support may be needed and why early support can make a meaningful difference.This is a thoughtful conversation about the emotional realities of life with a new baby and a reminder that finding this period difficult is often a reflection of the scale of the transition rather than a sign that something has gone wrong.And you can read Julianne's poem, Little Stranger, here in in our blog.Key moments00:00 The reality of becoming a parent03:05 Why the transition feels so challenging06:17 Uncertainty and loss of control08:53 The support new parents need12:07 Comparison and parenting pressure17:00 How parenthood changes the brain19:58 Why babies don't need perfect parents23:58 The importance of a village29:19 Small moments of support and kindness31:22 Recognising perinatal mental health difficulties36:24 Growth and change through parenthood38:27 Choice Space takeawayAbout the guestJulianne Boutaleb is a consultant perinatal psychologist and founder and clinical director of Parenthood In Mind. With more than 24 years' experience across the NHS and private practice, she specialises in supporting parents and parents-to-be with perinatal mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, birth trauma, PTSD, tokophobia, reproductive loss, fertility treatment, attachment difficulties and relationship challenges. Julianne has a particular interest in the impact of birth trauma on parents, couple relationships and parent-infant attachment, and has extensive experience teaching and training health professionals in perinatal mental health, attachment and early years wellbeing. She works with individuals, couples and families using a range of evidence-based approaches including CBT, ACT, compassion-focused therapy and attachment-based interventions.You can contact her via the Parenthood in Mind Website, LinkedIn and InstagramAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

Some women spend years wondering why everyday life feels more difficult than it seems to for other people. They may appear calm, capable and organised on the outside, yet privately struggle with overwhelm, overthinking, self-criticism and exhaustion.In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by Gabrielle Treanor, ADHD coach, author and founder of the Quiet ADHD Club, to explore how ADHD can be missed in quiet, introverted and sensitive women.Diagnosed herself at 48, Gabrielle reflects on why many women do not recognise themselves in common ADHD stereotypes. The discussion explores how ADHD may be hidden behind competence, people-pleasing, perfectionism and a lifelong effort to appear as though everything is under control.The conversation looks at masking, rejection sensitivity, burnout, hyperfocus and the impact of living for years without understanding why certain aspects of life feel harder than they seem to for others. It also explores the relationship between ADHD, menopause and the inner critic, and how understanding what is happening can bring relief, self-compassion and a different way of viewing ourselves.Practical strategies are woven throughout the discussion, including creating space for joy and creativity, recognising rejection sensitivity, using movement to support regulation, managing time blindness and building compassionate approaches that reduce pressure rather than adding to it.This is a thoughtful conversation about self-understanding, compassion and recognising ADHD beyond the stereotypes.Key moments00:00 Finding the quiet ADHD story01:58 Gabrielle's late ADHD diagnosis05:30 How ADHD can look different in women08:56 The hidden inner experience of ADHD12:25 Perfectionism, masking and the inner critic14:05 Burnout and unmet potential18:46 Why joy matters for the ADHD brain23:07 Rejection sensitivity and relationships29:40 Self-compassion and regulation35:04 Time blindness and overcommitting37:55 Hyperfocus and healthy boundaries40:59 Movement as a regulation toolAbout the guestGabrielle Treanor is a coach, writer, author and podcaster based in Wales, specialising in supporting introverted and sensitive women who discover – or suspect – they have ADHD later in life. Diagnosed herself at 48, Gabrielle hosts the Quiet ADHD Club, works one to one with coaching clients, and has an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology. She is the author of The 1% Wellness Experiment and host of the Pressing Pause podcast. She is also creating the Better Read Book Fest – the UK’s first literary festival dedicated entirely to wellbeing books.You can connect with Gabrielle via her website, Instagram and LinkedInAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

When does clutter become more than too much stuff?For many people, clutter is simply a practical challenge. But for others, it can become linked to grief, shame, overwhelm, changing identities and life experiences that are much harder to untangle than the possessions themselves.In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by professional organiser and author Lesley Spellman to explore the hidden emotions behind clutter. The conversation looks beyond the practical task of tidying and asks why it can feel so difficult to let things go in the first place.They discuss how possessions can become connected to memories, hopes for the future and versions of ourselves that are hard to leave behind. The episode explores why clutter may build up during periods of stress, poor mental health, trauma or loss, and why simply trying to become more organised rarely addresses what is happening underneath.Lee and Lesley reflect on the role of shame and self-criticism, how clutter can affect confidence and relationships, and why many people find it difficult to ask for help. They also discuss the comfort that possessions can sometimes provide, and how that comfort can gradually become something that limits the life we want to live.The conversation explores why small, manageable steps are often more effective than dramatic clear-outs, how confidence can grow through practice and why understanding the emotions attached to our belongings can make change feel more possible.Rather than focusing solely on creating a tidier home, this episode reflects on how creating space in our environment can sometimes create more room for connection, wellbeing and the things that matter most.Key moments00:00 When clutter becomes a comfort01:29 A house full of clutter04:05 Shame and isolation06:14 Understanding the emotional side of clutter09:41 Clutter, safety and control11:30 Clothes, identity and life changes13:14 Building your decluttering muscle15:02 Finding your bigger why19:58 Grief and letting go26:49 The power of community28:36 Why small steps matter31:26 What changes after decluttering36:41 Where to startAbout the guestLesley Spellman is a professional organiser, author and co-founder of The Declutter Hub, a global online membership supporting thousands of people to declutter and simplify their homes. She co‑hosts The Declutter Hub Podcast with Ingrid Jansen, a show ranked in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide with over 3 million downloads and more than 400 episodes. Lesley is co‑author of Reset Your Home and also runs The Clutter Fairy, a successful professional organising service operating across the North West and Midlands in the UK. With 16 years of hands-on experience, she helps people move from overwhelm and guilt to calm, confident living.You can contact Lesley via Instagram, Facebook, or the Declutter Hub websiteAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

What if movement in midlife is less about performance – and more about protecting the life you want to live?In this episode of The Choice Space Podcast, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Juliet McGrattan – former GP, runner, coach and author of The Runner’s Guide to Menopause – about why movement becomes especially important during midlife and menopause, and how to approach it in a way that feels realistic and supportive.For many women, movement suddenly feels harder. Energy, motivation, recovery, aches and pains, changing bodies and busy lives can all affect how exercise feels. Others may feel unsure where to begin, particularly if movement has never felt enjoyable or part of their identity.Lee and Juliet explore the many ways movement can support health and wellbeing during midlife – from improving mood, managing stress and supporting social connection, to reducing future risk of conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and frailty. They discuss why strength, mobility and balance become increasingly important during menopause, and how small, sustainable changes can make a meaningful difference over time.The conversation also reflects on the pressures women often place on themselves around exercise. They discuss moving away from comparison, body shame and perfectionism, and instead finding ways of moving that feel flexible, enjoyable and personally meaningful – whether that means running, walking, strength work or simply starting where you are.This is a thoughtful conversation about meeting your body where it is, valuing movement for what it gives back, and building habits that support the life you want to keep living.Key moments 00:00 Why movement feels harder 04:16 Barriers to exercise in midlife 05:29 Why movement matters for health 09:14 Running as a gift to yourself 11:23 Making running feel enjoyable 13:07 Walking as a starting point 14:12 Listening to your body 16:59 What rest days really mean 19:12 Choice Pause – meeting your body where it is 21:05 Celebrating small wins 22:39 Staying motivated to move 29:14 Strength, mobility and ageing well 35:17 A small first step into movementAbout the guest Dr Juliet McGrattan is a former GP, award-winning author, international speaker and coach who helps women improve their health and wellbeing through movement. Once an inactive mum and GP, Juliet’s own journey into running led her to become a marathon runner and passionate advocate for women’s health through exercise.She now combines medical knowledge with a practical, accessible approach to movement, helping women feel stronger, healthier and more confident in active lives. Juliet is the resident health expert for 261 Fearless and Women’s Running magazine, co-founder of the UK charity 261 Club UK.SShe is the author of several books including: Sorted: The Active Woman's Guide to Health (2017), and The Runner’s Guide to Menopause: Your essential toolkit for strong, happy and healthy training was published in March 2026. You can connect with Juliet via her website, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedInAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david 

Many people recognise times when it becomes harder to switch off. We may feel constantly under pressure, more emotionally reactive or as though we are just about keeping up. But sometimes ongoing stress can begin to shift into something else – where we feel more exhausted, detached and less able to think clearly or recover.In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Claire Plumbly, clinical psychologist and author, about how stress can sometimes progress into burnout through its impact on the nervous system.The conversation explores the difference between stress and burnout and how burnout may develop when the nervous system stays under pressure for too long. Lee and Claire discuss the green, amber and red states of the nervous system and how understanding these can help make sense of why coping may suddenly feel harder – or why we may feel more disconnected, overwhelmed or shut down.They also reflect on why burnout is often about more than work alone. Caring responsibilities, parenting, menopause, challenging relationships and the pressure to keep going can all add to the load we are carrying. The discussion explores why feeling heard matters when life feels overwhelming, and practical ways to support recovery – including building small pauses and transition points into busy days.This is a thoughtful conversation about stress, burnout and recovery, offering a more compassionate and realistic way to understand why coping can sometimes start to feel harder.Key moments00:00 The tennis ball machine analogy02:46 Stress versus burnout05:47 The tipping point into burnout08:01 Burnout beyond paid work10:47 Burnout and the nervous system16:37 Green, amber and red zones18:33 Why we need green to think22:13 Burnout and trauma parallels27:07 Relationships and nervous system safety35:08 “Wow, that’s a lot”40:02 Transition points and resetAbout the guestDr Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist, author of the Amazon bestseller Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You, and founder of Plum Psychology – a psychology practice for overcoming trauma, burnout, anxiety and low self-esteem. Claire and her team are trauma-trained psychologists offering therapy, workplace workshops and EMDR intensives. She is based online and in Taunton, Somerset. You can connect with Claire via her website, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn About the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david