45. Not Broken. Equipped: Character Strengths for Seasonal Depression, Anxiety Symptoms, and Loneliness

The character strengths you were born with can become a quiet, powerful pathway through depression, anxiety symptoms, seasonal depression, stress, and the loneliness and isolation that often comes with them.

In this introductory episode of the Not Broken. Equipped series, we explore the VIA (Values in Action) Character Strengths Survey. What it is, where it came from, and the science behind it. Developed through decades of research, the VIA framework identifies 24 universal character strengths found across cultures and life stages. These strengths aren’t traits you have to earn or fix. They’re capacities that exist even when life feels heavy.

We also talk honestly about the shadow side of strengths. How perseverance can turn into burnout, kindness into self-erasure, or curiosity into restlessness when the nervous system is overwhelmed. Strengths are meant to support you, not push you.

Throughout this series, each episode focuses on one character strength. How it shows up in everyday life, how it can help with depression, anxiety symptoms, isolation, loneliness, guilt, and stress.

This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about using what’s already there.

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Take the free, Values in Action Survey and discover your Signature Character Strengths: 24 Character Strengths List | VIA Institute

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Keywords:

• depression support

• anxiety symptoms

• anxiety coping tools

• living with depression

• mental health podcast

• emotional regulation

• stress relief