The Wellness Script

“Life is not a to-do list.”Dr Sonja Bobart
In this special live episode of The Wellness Script, Lauren O’Reilly welcomes Dublin GP Dr Sonja Bobart back to the podcast for an honest and practical conversation about stress, burnout and the physical signs that your body may be struggling.
From headaches, digestive issues and disrupted sleep to lowered immunity, skin flare-ups and feeling constantly “wired but tired”, Dr Sonja explains how chronic stress can show up in ways we do not always recognise. She shares how to distinguish everyday pressure from burnout, when it may be time to speak to your GP and why rest, boundaries and social connection are essential parts of looking after your health.
Lauren and Dr Sonja also unpack some of the biggest wellness claims circulating online, including “cortisol face” and adrenal fatigue, and discuss why self-diagnosing through social media can lead people to spend money on tests and treatments they may not need.
Recorded in front of a live audience in Dublin, this episode offers a timely reminder that life is not a to-do list and that protecting your wellbeing before you reach breaking point is one of the most powerful things you can do.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with two incredible sponsors: Otosan - a trusted range of natural solutions for the whole family, across nose, throat and ear care. From seasonal support for hay fever and travel to the wider family range, Otosan is available in health stores and pharmacies nationwide. Explore the full range at ⁠https://https://www.naturalmedicine.ie/stockist-locator⁠

Elave - gentle, fragrance-free skincare developed for sensitive skin, made in Ireland by the Gardiner Family Apothecary. Discover the full range at ⁠www.elaveskincare.com⁠ and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.

In this episode, we cover:
🔥 The difference between acute, episodic and chronic stress
⚠️ How to recognise when everyday stress is becoming burnout
🧠 Why burnout can affect your mood, behaviour and physical health
🤕 The surprising ways stress can appear, including migraines, IBS, eczema, jaw clenching and poor sleep
🦠 How prolonged stress may affect immunity and inflammation
💼 Why work pressures, constant emails and moving goalposts leave people feeling as though they are never finished
🧑‍⚕️ When stress is a valid reason to make an appointment with your GP
📝 Why keeping a symptom diary can help you identify patterns and make the most of your appointment
🩺 When blood tests may be useful and why testing should have a clear clinical purpose
📱 The truth about “cortisol face” and adrenal fatigue
☕ How caffeine and alcohol can intensify anxious, overstimulated feelings
😴 Why sleep, movement, social connection and time away from screens matter
🚶 The potential impact of a simple 15-minute walk
🤝 Why hobbies, exercise classes and community are important for long-term wellbeing
📋 How setting three realistic priorities can prevent every day from feeling like a failure
🚧 The importance of boundaries around work, emails and your personal time
🌿 How to build small moments of calm into even the busiest day
📆 Why the second half of the year is the perfect time to reset before stress begins to build

Dr Sonja Bobart and D4 Medical
Visit the D4 Medical website
Follow Dr Sonja on Instagram
@d4medgp
The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, TILDA
Explore TILDA’s research
Creative activities, hobbies and wellbeing in later life
Read the TILDA report
The health impact of loneliness and social isolation
Read the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory
Start With Yourself by Emma Grede (book mentioned)

Follow The Wellness Script on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessscriptpod/

Money might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about wellness, but financial stress can affect our sleep, relationships, mental health and even how stress presents physically in the body.
In this episode of The Wellness Script, pharmacist and host Lauren O’Reilly is joined by Kel Galavan, qualified financial adviser, author of Mindful Money and founder of Mrs Smart Money.
This is a practical, judgment-free guide to taking control of your finances, regardless of where you are starting. Kel explains how to complete a simple money audit, spend without guilt, build financial breathing space, understand your pension and begin thinking about long-term investing without becoming overwhelmed.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with two incredible sponsors:
Otosan - a trusted range of natural solutions for the whole family, across nose, throat and ear care. From seasonal support for hay fever and travel to the wider family range, Otosan is available in health stores and pharmacies nationwide. Explore the full range at ⁠https://https://www.naturalmedicine.ie/stockist-locator⁠

Elave - gentle, fragrance-free skincare developed for sensitive skin, made in Ireland by the Gardiner Family Apothecary. Discover the full range at ⁠www.elaveskincare.com⁠ and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.

Show Notes
In this episode, Lauren and Kel discuss:
💶 How Kel went from six figures of debt to financial security
🏠 Buying a house before the financial crash and watching it lose half its value
👩‍👧‍👦 The school collection moment that made Kel reconsider how she was living and working
📉 Why reaching a net worth of zero can be an enormous financial milestone
🛍️ How Kel’s no-spend year reduced her family’s outgoings by more than €27,000
🚦 The simple green, amber and red money audit you can complete using one bank statement
💚 How to spend money on what genuinely matters to you without guilt
🧠 The link between financial stress, anxiety and physical wellbeing
📱 How social comparison creates pressure to look richer and more successful than we feel
🗣️ Why Kel believes we should remove the word “should” from conversations about money
📚 Why money management is a skill that anyone can learn
👩 The financial confidence gap and why women often retire with smaller pensions
🤱 The long-term financial impact of caring responsibilities and time away from work
🏥 How to review your health insurance based on the benefits you will actually use
💼 Why your pension should be viewed as your future income and a source of independence
📈 The five main ways people build wealth and why you do not need to pursue all of them
🛟 The financial “life jacket” to put in place before beginning to invest
⏳ Why successful long-term investing should feel more like watching paint dry than gambling
🕊️ How good financial foundations can move you from making difficult decisions to having genuine choices

Resources & Links
🌐 Visit Mrs Smart Money
Kel’s financial education, coaching and investing resources.
📖 Explore Mindful Money by Kel Galavan
A practical Irish guide to building healthier money habits and greater financial security.
📱 Follow Kel on Instagram
💼 Connect with Kel on LinkedIn
🧾 CCPC Budgeting Resources
Budgeting tools, spending calculators and information on managing debt and savings.
🏥 Health Insurance Authority Comparison Tool
Compare Irish health insurance plans based on the cover that matters to you.
🏦 CCPC Guide to Starting a Pension
💰 Revenue Information on Pension Tax Relief
📊 CCPC Guide to Investing
📥 Download the Free Wellness Script Episode Guide
Find the key takeaways, expert insights and practical exercises from every episode.
🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Wellness Script with Lauren O’Reilly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share it with someone who wants to feel more confident and in control of their money.

In this episode of The Wellness Script, pharmacist and host Lauren O’Reilly sits down with Joanna Gardiner and Tom Gardiner of Elave Skincare, the mother-and-son duo behind one of Ireland’s most trusted family skincare brands.
The Gardiner family skincare story began in 1934, when Joanna’s grandfather opened Ireland’s first family skincare apothecary. Over 90 years later, Elave remains a family-run Irish brand, developed and manufactured in Dundalk, and trusted by generations of Irish households for sensitive, reactive, eczema-prone and dry skin.
In this conversation, Joanna and Tom explain why sensitive skin is not just a beauty issue — it is a wellness issue. They break down what actually damages the skin barrier, why so many people are reacting to products, how trends like over-exfoliation and young people using retinol can cause problems, and what to look for when choosing gentle skincare and SPF.
Lauren also shares why, as a pharmacist, she has been proud to recommend Elave and Ovelle products for years, and why working with a brand rooted in pharmacy, formulation and Irish family heritage means so much.
If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dry skin, irritated hands, reactive skin, or you simply want to simplify your skincare routine and protect your skin barrier, this episode is for you.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with two incredible sponsors:
Otosan - a trusted range of natural solutions for the whole family, across nose, throat and ear care. From seasonal support for hay fever and travel to the wider family range, Otosan is available in health stores and pharmacies nationwide. Explore the full range at https://https://www.naturalmedicine.ie/stockist-locator

Elave - gentle, fragrance-free skincare developed for sensitive skin, made in Ireland by the Gardiner Family Apothecary. Discover the full range at www.elaveskincare.com and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.
🎧 Show Notes:
In this episode, we cover:
🧴 Why sensitive skin is a wellness issue, not just a beauty concern
🌿 The 90-year Gardiner family skincare story behind Elave and Ovelle
🧼 Why sulfates, soaps, perfume and harsh products can worsen sensitive skin
🚿 The shower and shampoo mistakes that may be irritating your skin barrier
🧒 Why children and young people do not need anti-ageing actives like retinol
🔥 How overusing actives can trigger irritation, redness and barrier damage
☀️ What to look for in an SPF if you have sensitive or reactive skin
💧 Why “less is more” is often the best skincare advice
👐 How to care for dry, cracked hands and dermatitis-prone skin
🧠 The emotional impact of eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and chronic skin conditions
🏭 How Elave develops and manufactures its products in Dundalk
🌎 What B Corp certification means for the future of the brand
👩‍⚕️ Why pharmacy advice still matters when it comes to choosing skincare
💬 “When your skin feels better, you feel better.” - Joanna Gardiner
📌 Resources & Links:
🛍️ Explore Elave Skincare: https://elaveskincare.com/
📱 Follow Elave Skincare on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaveskincare/
🎙️ Follow The Wellness Script for more evidence-based health and wellness conversations: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessscriptpod/
💌 Download your free episode guide at wellnessscriptpod.com

In this episode of The Wellness Script, host and pharmacist Lauren O’Reilly sits down with Professor Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist at The Rotunda, Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at RCSI, lactation consultant and co-host of The Baby Tribe podcast.
With over 20 years of experience caring for babies and families, and more than 180 peer-reviewed publications, Afif brings a deeply compassionate, practical and evidence-based lens to one of the most overwhelming stages of life: early parenthood.
This conversation explores what new parents actually need to know, from breastfeeding, formula feeding and the mother-baby dyad, to colic, reflux, newborn crying, safe decision-making, dad guilt, maternal guilt, misinformation online and the pressure to do everything “right.”
Afif also shares what wellness looks like when you work in emotionally demanding healthcare, why sleep advice can sometimes create more stress, and why parents need reassurance as much as they need information.
If you are a new parent, preparing for parenthood, supporting someone with a newborn, or simply want to better understand the realities of the fourth trimester, this episode is full of calm, practical guidance.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with two incredible sponsors:
Otosan - a trusted range of natural solutions for the whole family, across nose, throat and ear care. From seasonal support for hay fever and travel to the wider family range, Otosan is available in health stores and pharmacies nationwide. Explore the full range at https://https://www.naturalmedicine.ie/stockist-locator

Elave - gentle, fragrance-free skincare developed for sensitive skin, made in Ireland by the Gardiner Family Apothecary. Discover the full range at www.elaveskincare.com and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.

Show Notes:
In this episode, we cover:
🍼 What new parents really need to know about the early weeks with a baby
🤱 Breastfeeding, formula feeding and combination feeding - and why feeding decisions should support both baby and mother
👩‍🍼 The mother-baby dyad and why you cannot care for one without considering the other
😢 Maternal guilt - why so many mothers blame themselves when something goes wrong, and how healthcare professionals can better support them
🚩 Colic vs red flags - how to think about crying, feeding, nappies, weight gain, alertness, breathing and when to seek help
👨‍👩‍👧 The father/partner role in early parenthood, including postnatal anxiety, depression and feeling “spare” in the newborn stage
🧠 Why “normal” baby behaviour can still feel extremely hard - and why reassurance matters
💬 How couples can communicate in the fourth trimester, especially when the load is not always 50/50
📱 Parenting misinformation online and how social media has changed the experience of becoming a parent
🏠 Home birth, natural birth and informed choice - what nuance often gets lost online
🩺 What it’s like working in neonatal care, communicating with worried parents and protecting your own wellbeing as a healthcare professional
🏋️‍♂️ Wellness in different seasons of life - why you do not have to optimise everything all the time
“Normal doesn’t mean easy.” Professor Afif El-Khuffash
Resources & Links
🎙️ Listen to The Baby Tribe Podcast: https://headstuffpodcasts.com/show/the-baby-tribe/
👨‍⚕️ Follow Professor Afif El-Khuffash: https://www.instagram.com/afif.elkhuffash/?hl=en
Check out Afif's Art: https://www.hastudios.eu/
Book a private consultation at the Rotunda Hospital with Afif: https://rotundaprivate.ie/dr-afif-el-khuffash/
📥 Download the free episode guide at wellnessscriptpod.com
🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Wellness Script for more evidence-based conversations on health, wellness and the information you can actually trust.
As always, this episode is not a replacement for personalised medical advice. Speak to your doctor regarding any health concerns you have.

In this episode of The Wellness Script, Lauren O’Reilly sits down with Sherna Malone, skin health specialist, facialist, beauty expert on RTÉ Today and host of Sherna Talks Beauty.
Sherna helps people cut through the endless noise around skincare, understand their own skin properly, and build simple routines that actually support long-term skin health. From the biggest mistakes people make with acids, vitamin C and overcomplicated routines, to why sunscreen, consistency and patience matter more than the latest trend, this conversation is a practical guide to looking after your skin without feeling overwhelmed.
Lauren and Sherna also discuss the connection between skin, lifestyle, stress, sleep, gut health and self-care, as well as when it might be time to see a professional for concerns like acne, rosacea, eczema, pigmentation or barrier damage.
If you’ve ever felt confused by skincare advice online, bought products because someone else recommended them, or wondered what your skin really needs, this episode will help you simplify your routine, protect your skin barrier, and make more confident choices for your skin long term.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with two incredible sponsors:

Elave - gentle, fragrance-free skincare developed for sensitive skin, made in Ireland by the Gardiner Family Apothecary. Discover the full range at ⁠www.elaveskincare.com⁠ and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.
Otosan - a trusted range of natural solutions for the whole family, across nose, throat and ear care. From seasonal support for hay fever and travel to the wider family range, Otosan is available in health stores and pharmacies nationwide. Explore the full range at https://https://www.naturalmedicine.ie/stockist-locator

Show Notes:
In this episode, we cover:
✨ Why skincare has become so confusing and how to simplify your routine
🧴 The three basics Sherna believes most people should start with: cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen
☀️ Why daily SPF is one of the most important steps for future-proofing your skin
🧬 What skin scans can reveal about pigmentation, redness and long-term UV exposure
🔥 The signs your cleanser, acids or active ingredients may be damaging your skin barrier
🍊 Why vitamin C is not essential for everyone and what ingredients Sherna often prefers instead
💧 How niacinamide, ceramides, peptides and retinoids can support skin health when used correctly
🧖‍♀️ When advanced treatments like microneedling can help, and why homecare still comes first
🩺 When skin concerns need a GP, dermatologist or specialist referral
🌿 The role of sleep, stress, gut health, movement and self-care in healthy skin
💛 Sherna’s own wellness routine, from morning walks and yoga to strength training and simple daily rituals
The best skincare routine is not the longest one. It is the one that is right for your skin, supports your skin barrier, and that you can use consistently over time.
Follow Sherna Malone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shernamalone.ie?igsh=YWZibHRmdnBiZDg1

Visit Sherna’s website / book a consultation: shernamalone.ie
Listen to Sherna Talks Beauty: https://www.instagram.com/shernamalone.ie?igsh=YWZibHRmdnBiZDg1