Mental Health and Burnout
For when life feels heavy, loud, overwhelming, or exhausting — and you need permission to be human, not perfect.
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When you’re struggling, it’s rarely just one thing. Hormone shifts from perimenopause, parenting a teenager, and a world that feels heavy can collide all at once—leaving even the most capable people depleted. This honest, grounded post explores what to do when you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel overwhelmed, offering practical ways to regulate your nervous system, lower the pressure, and remember you’re not broken—you’re human.
The holidays can be magical—and totally overstimulating for kids with ADHD. This parent-friendly guide breaks down common traps (like Advent calendars and constant transitions), plus practical strategies for parties, travel, and downtime. Bonus: an ADHD-friendly gift guide that supports regulation, movement, and real-life executive functioning—without turning your living room into chaos.
Nerves don’t mean you’re not ready. Learn the GRL 5-minute hype warm-up — a simple routine to steady your mind, harness adrenaline, and show up with confidence.
Sometimes the pep talk isn’t enough — not because you failed, but because you’re overloaded. Learn how to shrink your world, find the root cause, and take the next step forward.
Setting boundaries doesn’t make you difficult — it makes you healthier. In this post, you’ll get five copy-and-paste boundary scripts backed by research, plus a conversation-style pep talk to help you protect your time, energy, and emotional wellbeing with confidence.
Trying something new doesn’t require confidence — just curiosity. Whether you’re exploring rec sports, creative hobbies, or brand-new activities, this guide helps you choose something you’ll actually enjoy. With research-backed tips and a down-to-earth pep talk, here’s how to find your thing at any age.
Some days you wake up ready to dominate. Other days? You're lucky if you can find your water bottle. Being your own hype-up girl isn’t about fake confidence—it’s about creating momentum when you don’t feel motivated. Here’s how to get psyched for your next game, practice, or big moment, even on your lowest-energy days.
We spend our lives chasing belonging — to a partner, a team, a purpose — only to realize we can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. This post explores the truth that belonging begins within. When we reconnect to ourselves, we stop performing for acceptance and start creating connection that feels real and lasting.
Burnout rarely shows up all at once—it leaks in slowly. In this practical GRL Initiative guide, Dr. Lauren Young shares her personal Burnout Watch List: the emotional, physical, and mental warning signs that tell you you’re running on empty. Learn how to recognize the drift, reset your energy, and protect yourself before you crash. This isn’t about weakness—it’s about awareness.
What if the goal isn’t to recover from burnout — but to build a life that doesn’t cause it in the first place? In this closing post from her Healing Day Series, Dr. Lauren Young explores the idea of planning for your cadence: knowing when to push, when to pause, and how to create systems that sustain both your work and your well-being. This is a practical guide to building a life that lasts — one that includes recovery, rhythm, and room to breathe.
If you’ve ever felt anxious about taking a day off—worried about the inbox, the calls, the people who “never stop”—this one’s for you. In this post, Dr. Lauren Young opens up about learning to rest in a culture that rewards overwork. With research on burnout, recovery, and dopamine, she reframes rest as a leadership skill, not a luxury. Because the truth is, your team can rehire your role—but your family can’t replace you.
Leadership isn’t just about how hard you can go—it’s about how well you can recover. In this essay, Dr. Lauren Young reflects on the quiet crash that follows high-cadence seasons, when your brain is still buzzing with logistics and your body is begging for rest. Backed by research on burnout and recovery, she explores why “healing days” aren’t a luxury but a necessity. This post reminds ambitious women that rest is not something to earn after you’ve finished leading—it’s what makes powerful, sustainable leadership possible.
Some days it feels like I’m living three different lives—State Executive Director Lauren, Midwestern Mom Lauren, and Just-Me Lauren, who’s always last on the calendar. Between leadership meetings and loading the dishwasher, I’m learning that belonging isn’t about balance—it’s about being honest with yourself in all three spaces. Here’s what it looks like to show up as all of you, even when it’s messy.
I walked off the field and never went back. I was proud of myself for not taking his shit.' Sometimes the most courageous thing is choosing yourself.
Your brain is trying to protect you, but sometimes protection looks like mental quicksand. Here's how to spot when your thoughts are working against you.
mental training female athletes, sports psychology girls, athlete confidence building
The scoreboard shows you're down by one with seconds left. Your heart pounds, but your mind is clear and focused. This isn't luck—it's mental training.
Think you’re “not athletic”? Think again. From fencing to rowing to ultimate frisbee, this guide helps middle and high schoolers (and their grown-ups) rethink what it means to find the right sport—not just the popular ones. Learn how to explore, sample, and discover the activity that makes you feel like a total athletic rockstar.
Growing up in a “big” body caused me to be the brunt of a lot of unwanted negative attention from peers. This series is to dive deep into research about the effects of bullying, while processing some of my own situations that still effect me.
Youth sports are supposed to be about growth, teamwork, and passion—but somewhere along the way, they became about year-round competition, high-pressure travel teams, and the fear of falling behind.
At The GRL Initiative, we’re asking the tough questions:
✔ Are kids playing too much, too soon?
✔ Is the goal of youth sports about scholarships or joy?
✔ How do we protect kids from burnout while keeping them engaged?
This space is for parents, coaches, and athletes who want to rethink the way we approach sports—with a focus on balance, mental health, and long-term love for the game.
Because at the end of the day, sports should add to a child’s life, not consume it.
At The GRL Initiative, we’re here to have the real conversations—the ones that challenge outdated norms, empower self-growth, and normalize topics society still whispers about. Whether we’re talking menstrual health, confidence, self-care, or breaking barriers, this is a space for education, empowerment, and unapologetic truth.
✨ What You’ll Find Here:
✔ Menstrual Health & Period Positivity – Breaking the stigma and embracing your cycle.
✔ Confidence & Self-Worth – How to build it, own it, and walk into every room like you belong.
✔ Wellness & Mental Health – Supporting your body and mind, from period fatigue to self-care routines.
✔ Breaking Barriers & Leadership – Thriving in male-dominated spaces and taking up space with pride.
💡 This is your space to learn, grow, and own your power. Because when we talk about the things that matter, we change the narrative. Let’s do this together.
Struggling to stay consistent with self-care? Your body’s needs change throughout your cycle, and your self-care should, too! Learn how to create a flexible, phase-based self-care routine that supports your energy and mood—from high-energy follicular days to cozy menstrual rest. Discover simple self-care hacks, how to listen to your body, and easy ways to nurture yourself through every phase.
I grew up in a time where talking about periods was just embarrassing, but this week we are taking a deep dive into all things period related!
A menu for the soul. Dopamine is chemical created by the brain that brings us joy. It’s important to identify the things that release that chemical in order to feel that in times when we really need it. Doing this work ahead of time can be beneficial to our well being and our ability to bounce back.
Discover how visualization—mentally rehearsing success before it happens—can help student-athletes sharpen their game and moms conquer daily chaos. From nailing the perfect play to mastering your morning routine, this simple yet powerful technique builds confidence and focus in every aspect of life. Ready to visualize your way to success? Dive in to learn how!
Going to the Gyno can make you feel a little nervous but it’s so necessary in establishing care, getting important questions answered. It’s nothing to scared of!
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but it’s how you use them that sets you apart. This blog dives into how great leaders and athletes make a plan for their time—focusing on what matters most instead of getting lost in distractions like doom-scrolling. With tips on setting goals, breaking them into small steps, and creating balance, this post will inspire you to take charge of your time and move closer to your dreams. Your 24 hours are yours—make them count! ⏰✨
Ever feel like you’re having “the worst day ever”? We’ve all been there—but what if it’s not really the whole day that’s bad? This post dives into how to reframe those tough moments and take back control. Whether it’s a rough 5 minutes, an anxious hour, or one bad test, it doesn’t have to spiral into a terrible 24 hours. Learn how to pause, reflect, and focus on the bigger picture. You are stronger than one bad moment, GRLs—don’t let it define your day. 💛✨ Read now for a fresh perspective!
This birthday feels different. At 42, I’ve spent a year doing the hard internal work — exploring my identity, redefining connections, setting boundaries, and beginning the long journey toward true belonging. I’m not there yet, but I’m growing, stretching, and becoming in ways I’m finally proud of.