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Are you a caregiver who finds yourself saying “yes” to everything, even when you’re running on empty? In this episode of The JoyfulRx podcast, Dr. Michelle Welch dives into the uncomfortable truth about how constantly being “nice” and putting others first is silently sabotaging your health.

We’ll explore why caregivers, more than anyone, are conditioned to prioritize others at the expense of their well-being—and how this relentless pressure can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and even long-term health issues. But here’s the good news: you can still be kind and compassionate without saying yes to everything.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The hidden toll of people-pleasing on your physical and emotional health.
• Why boundaries are a form of self-respect and a necessary tool for caregivers.
• Practical tips to start setting boundaries, including how to communicate them with clarity and kindness.
• A powerful reminder that prioritizing your well-being doesn’t make you less caring—it makes you stronger and more present for the people who matter most.

Join us as we flip the script on what it means to be a “good” caregiver and redefine kindness as showing up for others without sacrificing yourself.

If this message resonates, share this episode with another caregiver who could use a reminder that their needs matter, too.

Let’s connect!
Follow Dr. Michelle Welch on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx

Remember: Being kind doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. Start setting boundaries today—because caring for yourself is the first step to caring for others.

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

Dr. Michelle discusses the 5 survival mode responses you might slip into when you are "caregiving in survival mode".

See if you can identify your survival responses and find quick tips on how to tackle each one in the moment.

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

"Caregiving is part of your life, but it is not the whole story. You are a multifaceted, multipassionate, dynamic person with passions, dreams, and joys that deserve attention. It’s time to start nurturing those parts of yourself too—because when you do, you’ll not only find more joy in caregiving, but more joy in life."

If you are a female caregiver who has lost yourself in caring for others, know that it is not too late to rediscover or ev redefine yourself. I can guide you through my simple framework which will help you do just that!

Let's connect! Leave a review or comment below.
If there is a topic you want me to explore on the podcast, let me know!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyfulrx?igsh=cXFlZGltdDZrOG5h&utm_source=qr

Email: info@joyfulrx.ca

Schedule a call to discover ways we can work together here:
https://calendly.com/michellewelch/15min

Please share this podcast with a caregiver friend you know.

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

Dr. Michelle encourages listeners to embrace discipline—not as something that steals our joy, but as a tool that helps create it. She discusses how discipline is the key to serving from abundance, to living with intention, and to ensuring that joy is something you experience daily.

"When caregivers are disciplined about their own joy, we’re collectively raising the consciousness of how care should work. It’s not about self-sacrifice. It’s about sustainable, joyful service."

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

In this episode Dr. Michelle discusses her belief that caregivers need to be selfish rather than selfless and explains why this approach sets the foundation for maintaining good mental health for caregivers.

Local (SouthWestern Ontario) Community Resources

If there is a mental health emergency, please visit your local Hospital Emergency Department or call 911.

• Reach Out Crisis Support: (519)433-2023 or 1-866-933-2023, www.reachout247.ca for web chat
• Atlohsa Family Healing Services: 1-800-605-7477 (24/7 crisis support)
• Suicide crisis support hotline: #988

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

In this episode Dr. Michelle talks about the benefits of rest for caregivers, she discusses sleep hygiene and some helpful ways to create a healthy bed time routine and optimize your environment for sleep. Below are some helpful resources regarding the science and recommendations around sleep.

Sleep hygiene:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/SleepHygiene.pdf

CDC recommendations for adults:
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html

Harvard Medical School:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/sleep

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...

Send us a text

Dr Michelle talks about how gratitude is important for caregivers, as it helps reframe experiences, strengthen relationships, and foster resilience. Practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Explore how to build a gratitude practice by including simple exercises such as morning reflections, gratitude journaling, setting reminders, expressing gratitude to others, and going on gratitude walks. These practices help shift focus to the positive and improve wellbeing!

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Welch dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to leave a review or comment. Have a topic in mind? Share it with me—I’m here to serve you, too.

Follow me on Instagram: @thejoyfulrx
...