The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – "Wellness Unmasked: Holiday Mental Health Crisis: How Parents Can Protect Kids from Stress, Anxiety & Social Media"

Host: Dr. Nicole Saphier
Guest: Holly Swenson (author, registered nurse, mother of four)
Release Date: December 9, 2025

Overview

In this special "Wellness Unmasked" episode, Dr. Nicole Saphier tackles the mounting crisis of youth and family mental health during the holiday season. She welcomes Holly Swenson, author of Stop Drop, Grow and Glow, to share practical advice on supporting both parents and children through stress, social pressures, and the particular challenges amplified by social media and seasonal changes. With warmth and directness, the conversation blends medical insight, personal experience, and hands-on strategies to help families find resilience and deeper connection in trying times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Duality of the Holidays: Joy vs. Stress

• Holidays Can Amplify Both Positive and Negative Emotions

  • While celebrations bring families together, others face loneliness and stress (02:38–04:04).
  • Kids are especially sensitive to family and social dynamics this time of year.

• Quote:

  • “The holidays are a joyful time for many, but it's important to point out this time of year isn't joyful for all children... There are a lot of realities in today's world that unfortunately our children are living with.” – Holly Swenson (04:04)

Warning Signs: How Parents Can Monitor Kids’ Mental Health

• Children Often Express Distress Through Behavior

  • Look for regression, clinginess, or dependence in younger children (05:05).
  • Physical signs: headaches, stomachaches, appetite and sleep disruptions.
  • Mood changes: irritability, mood swings, withdrawal.

• Quote:

  • “Children often act out versus verbalize their feelings. So you might…see regression in some of our younger children… more clingy, more dependent.” – Holly Swenson (05:05)

• Family Routines as a Buffer

  • Prioritize in-person connection: mealtimes, family games, daily check-ins (05:50).

The Impact of Social Media and Screen Time

• Concerns With Digital Overload

  • More screen time means less face-to-face with parents and peers (04:43–06:09).
  • Both parents and children model behavior off each other.

• Parental Responsibility

  • Limiting devices at dinner and in bedrooms; avoiding device use as convenient “distraction” (06:09–07:21).

  • Quote:

    • “Parents are the best examples for their kids. Parents are on social media and on their phones just as much, maybe even more than their kids are. The phone should not be out at the dinner table.” – Dr. Nicole Saphier (06:37)

• On Government Regulation

  • Australia’s ban on social media under 16 noted; both agree home practices are as crucial as regulation (06:09–07:21).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Real Consequences of Winter

• Geographical and Seasonal Impact

  • Less sunlight, especially in colder climates, can affect kids’ and parents’ moods (07:56).
  • Vitamin D supplementation and outdoor exposure important.

• Quotes:

  • “For any of our families living in colder climates…like for our family we end up giving our boys vitamin D to help buffer because a lot of people are low…This can impact the way you’re feeling.” – Holly Swenson (08:02)

  • “Seasonal affective disorder…is absolutely real and it is physiologic…not just in your head.” – Dr. Nicole Saphier (08:32)

Conscious Parenting and Self-Care

• Framework from Stop Drop, Grow and Glow

  • Swenson outlines her approach: fostering parent self-awareness, processing past trauma, and promoting mindfulness, self-care, and healthy routines (12:57–14:41).

• Quote:

  • “Self care…is really a necessity. It’s not a luxury…If you’re not sleeping, you’re not going to feel good.” – Holly Swenson (13:40)

• Taking Care of Parents Equals Taking Care of Kids

  • “If you’re not taking care of yourself, you're not going to be able to be there for other people. So self care is not vanity, it's not being selfish...taking care of ourselves is actually taking care of those around us.” – Dr. Nicole Saphier (14:41)

• Rituals of Self-Grounding

  • Swenson: Meditation/prayer in the morning sets a positive tone (15:12).
  • Saphire: Morning exercise energizes her for the parental “chaos” (15:53).

Practical Tips for Surviving the Holidays

(16:32–19:39)

• For Parents:

  • Routine self check-ins: body scans for physical tension, mindful awareness.
  • Carve out 20 minutes daily for yourself—even small acts go far.

• For Kids:

  • Monitor for overstimulation, sugar highs, exhaustion.
  • Build in moments of quiet: reading, herbal tea, device-free downtime.
  • Don't over-schedule; down time is not a deficit.
  • Encourage (not fill) boredom—creativity and reflection stem from unstructured moments.

• Quote:

  • “Boredom is where creativity stems, and we really have lost connection with that. So I am totally on board with what you're saying. I think boredom is really an underutilized practice to partner with.” – Holly Swenson (19:09)

• Whole Family Fun:

  • Board games, cards, active play—real connection comes from simple, tech-free moments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Digital Devices & Parental Example

  • “My kids know more about VPNs than I do. If they want to get on social media, they're going to get on. So…parents are the best examples.” – Dr. Nicole Saphier (06:22)

• On Seasonal Affect and Vitamin D

  • “For any of our families living in colder climates…we end up giving our boys vitamin D to help buffer because a lot of people are low…” – Holly Swenson (08:02)

• On Self Care

  • “When I don’t take care of myself, I’m not as effective at taking care of my family, my children, even the work I do.” – Holly Swenson (15:12)

• On Boredom and Creativity

  • “Boredom is where creativity stems, and we really have lost connection with that.” – Holly Swenson (19:09)

• Parent as Facilitator, Not Entertainer:

  • “It is not my role to entertain you…Kids are never too young to just sit and meditate and think…” – Dr. Nicole Saphier (18:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Holiday Stress and Kids' Mental Health Realities: 02:38–04:43
• Warning Signs for Parents: 05:05–06:09
• Social Media and Parental Modeling: 06:09–07:21
• Seasonal Affective Disorder/Seasonal Wellness: 07:56–08:32
• Importance of Self-Care for Parents: 12:57–15:53
• Holiday Survival Tips: 16:32–19:39
• Endnotes and Takeaways: 19:53–20:47

Final Takeaways

• The holidays can intensify all emotions—parents should proactively check in with kids and themselves.
• Face-to-face time and unplugged routines are crucial to buffer mental health challenges.
• Modeling healthy habits—and explicitly making time for self-care—gives children emotional stability and lifelong tools.
• Don’t fear downtime for yourself or your kids. Boredom is fertile ground for creativity and connection.
• Ground daily family rituals in warmth, presence, and mindfulness to promote resilience.

Further Resources

• Holly Swenson’s Book: Stop Drop, Grow and Glow available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, and other book retailers (19:44).

This episode provides compassionate, actionable steps for any family navigating the complex interplay of stress, tradition, and togetherness during the holiday season.