diff --git a/meshchatx/meshchat.py b/meshchatx/meshchat.py
index 1367e5f..5a5ceac 100644
--- a/meshchatx/meshchat.py
+++ b/meshchatx/meshchat.py
@@ -850,6 +850,7 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
             if identity_hash in self.contexts:
                 del self.contexts[identity_hash]
             self.current_context = None
+            gc.collect()
 
     def _teardown_all_contexts_for_reload(self):
         # Stop per-identity long-running services before tearing down contexts.
@@ -879,6 +880,7 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
         self.contexts.clear()
         self.current_context = None
         self.running = False
+        gc.collect()
 
     async def _send_rns_reload_status(
         self,
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/backend/recovery/health_monitor.py b/meshchatx/src/backend/recovery/health_monitor.py
index 5a63100..93d2ca1 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/backend/recovery/health_monitor.py
+++ b/meshchatx/src/backend/recovery/health_monitor.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from in-memory deques kept by PersistentLogHandler and psutil.
 
 import asyncio
 import collections
+import gc
 import json
 import logging
 import threading
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ class HealthMonitor:
                 self._check()
             except Exception as exc:
                 _log.debug("HealthMonitor check error: %s", exc)
+            gc.collect()
             await asyncio.sleep(self.CHECK_INTERVAL)
 
     def _check(self):