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Episode 29: Balancing Holiday Stress and Rest for Physician Spouses

Supporting Physician Spouses

Release Date: 12/16/2025

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info_outline Episode 29: Balancing Holiday Stress and Rest for Physician Spouses show art Episode 29: Balancing Holiday Stress and Rest for Physician Spouses

Supporting Physician Spouses

Today we’re talking about the kind of rest physician spouses actually need during the holidays—especially when the whole world seems to slow down while your home ramps up. If you’re carrying the family load while navigating your spouse’s demanding end-of-year schedule, this episode was made for you. Today we’re talking about… Rest—not the “add another task to your list” kind, but the biological, necessary kind that helps you survive and stay present during an already overwhelming season. In this episode, we talk about: The three types of rest most depleted in physician...

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Today we’re talking about the kind of rest physician spouses actually need during the holidays—especially when the whole world seems to slow down while your home ramps up.
If you’re carrying the family load while navigating your spouse’s demanding end-of-year schedule, this episode was made for you.

Today we’re talking about…

Rest—not the “add another task to your list” kind, but the biological, necessary kind that helps you survive and stay present during an already overwhelming season.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • The three types of rest most depleted in physician families during the holidays

  • How emotional suppression drains your energy (and what to do instead)

  • Why some social interactions restore you—and others drain you

  • How sensory overload impacts your brain and your patience

  • Micro-practices you can implement this week, not “when things calm down”

You’ll hear:

  • A vivid scene of what emotional overload looks like for a physician spouse on December 16th

  • A powerful reframe that your kids don’t need you to overcompensate—they need your authenticity

  • Practical micro-practices for emotional, social, and sensory rest that take 1–3 minutes

This episode is especially for you if:

  • You’re carrying the mental, emotional, and logistical load while your partner works unpredictable hours

  • You feel guilty for needing support because your spouse is already exhausted

  • You want the holiday season to feel more grounded—but you have no idea where to start

Links & resources mentioned:

  • Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Rest Quiz: restquiz.com

  • Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

  • Micro-practices for emotional, social, and sensory rest (from the episode)

  • Need help applying this work? Book a coaching session with Kendra

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