Joy Lab Podcast

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Welcome to the Joy Lab Podcast, a podcast that goes beyond your ears, working to help you uncover and foster your most joyful self. Hosts, Drs. Henry Emmons and Aimee Prasek, bring you the ideal mix of soulful and scientifically sound tools to help you not only create resilience in mind and body, but bring more joy back into your life. Subscribe for your monthly infusion of joy and be guided through Joy Lab’s four pillar process, a process fully-focused on helping you ignite your own personal transformation. After subscribing, head over to JoyLab.coach and join the Lab to benefit from the full Joy Lab program. Joy Lab’s unique and powerful program integrates concepts of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral techniques, the science of mindfulness, and the wisdom of one's soul. It’s a surprisingly real-world relevant approach to not only support your mood and calm anxiousness, but to help you uncover and nurture your joy while reconnecting with your deepest self. Learn more at JoyLab.coach

Henry Emmons, MD and Aimee Prasek, PhD


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 211 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Joy Lab Podcast is an absolute gem of a podcast that brings hope, inspiration, and practical advice to its listeners. Henry and Amy have created a truly wonderful show that is filled with insightful discussions and real-life examples of actions that can be taken to bring about positive change in one's life. This podcast is a ray of sunshine in a world that often feels overwhelming and heavy, offering solid reminders on how to elicit joy and live a more fulfilling life.

    One of the best aspects of The Joy Lab Podcast is the abundance of valuable insights it provides. The hosts are well-informed, realistic, and genuinely nice people who offer grounded perspectives on cultivating joy. They provide evidence-based information backed by the latest science but also leave room for wonder. This combination creates a unique listening experience that is both affirming and uplifting. Additionally, they offer practical tools and resources through the online Joy Lab program, making it accessible for anyone looking to enhance their own well-being.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its holistic approach to joy. It goes beyond toxic positivity or wellness scams and takes into account all aspects of our lives - mental health, physical health, relationships, and self-care. The episodes are packed with actionable advice and self-care strategies that are easy to implement in everyday life. The hosts' calming voices make it a soothing experience to listen to the podcast during mundane activities like commuting or showering, leaving listeners feeling good afterwards.

    If there is any downside to The Joy Lab Podcast, it would perhaps be the limited number of episodes currently available. However, this can also be seen as a positive sign because it leaves listeners craving for more content from these knowledgeable hosts. It's clear that they have much wisdom to share and their expertise shines through in every episode.

    In conclusion, The Joy Lab Podcast is an absolute treasure for anyone seeking more joy in their lives. The genuine passion and sincerity emanating from Aimee and Henry is palpable, making it a joy to listen to their discussions. The combination of science-based information, practical advice, and uplifting perspectives creates a podcast that is both inspiring and informative. I would highly recommend this podcast to anyone looking to cultivate more joy and well-being in their lives.



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    Latest episodes from Joy Lab Podcast

    What You Need to Know About Hope When You've Lost It [ep. 211]

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 20:57 Transcription Available


    Hope might seem hard to come by lately. It's certainly not the vibe being communicated to us in the media anyway. If you resonate and feel like your hope tank is a bit dry, then listen in to this episode. We'll get a bit more clear on hope, understanding it as more than just "wishful thinking," but instead as a dynamic biological and cognitive process that is hard-wired into us for survival. This practical aspect of hope reminds us that with a little electrical check and some TLC, we can get hope to shine again within us.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Harkin, E.F., Grossman, C.D., Cohen, J.Y. et al. A prospective code for value in the serotonin system. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08731-7 Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    "I Can't Handle Change" (and how to squash self-limiting beliefs like that one) [ep. 210]

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 19:23 Transcription Available


    "I can't handle change." Have you every had that thought? It's a sticky kind of thought. The good news is that it's not true. In this episode, we'll discuss the concept of self-limiting beliefs, particularly that notion 'I can't handle change.' We'll explore how such beliefs can be pervasive and detrimental, often rooted in early life experiences. Best of all, we'll offer some practical strategies for overcoming these beliefs.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Full transcript and links mentioned here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    You Are Capable of Radical Change [ep. 209]

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 18:08 Transcription Available


    You are capable of radical change. If you aren't convinced that you can create change in your life, take Aimee's story about how her hen became a rooster (seriously, just listen in and it'll make sense). Beyond that chicken talk, this episode is focused on our human potential for change and healing. We'll touch on neuroplasticity, epigenetics, and the motivational role of hope. We think you'll come away with a better understanding of how you're wired for change and can intentionally steer it towards greater wellbeing.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Emotional Inertia: Feeling Dull & Disconnected [Joy Lab ep. 207] Zhang, X., et al. (2023). Overview of Avian Sex Reversal. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(9), 8284. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098284 Bian, Z., et al. (2024). Genetic predisposition, modifiable lifestyles, and their joint effects on human lifespan: evidence from multiple cohort studies. BMJ evidence-based medicine, 29(4), 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112583 Weger, U. W., & Loughnan, S. (2013). Mobilizing unused resources: using the placebo concept to enhance cognitive performance. Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006), 66(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2012.751117 Head to YouTube to see Haley's new spurs (16:28) Closing poem excerpt: Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the Thing With Feathers." Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    When Your Life Passions Become Obsessions (encore) [ep. 208]

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 16:57 Transcription Available


    Do you have a passion that drives you? Or maybe you're looking for one? Whatever the case, it's essential to understand the difference between obsessive and harmonious passions. Drawing on the research of Dr. Robert Vallerand, we'll talk about the impact these different types of passions have on our wellbeing. Harmonious passions enhance motivation, wellbeing, and a sense of purpose, while obsessive passions can lead to rigidity, negative emotions, and burnout. We'll even try a practical check-in method from Dr. Barbara Fredrickson to help us identify and cultivate harmonious passions.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here.  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Emotional Inertia: Feeling Dull & Disconnected [ep. 207]

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 22:56 Transcription Available


    Ever feel like you're stuck in a fog—disconnected, unmotivated, and just… dull? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore emotional inertia—that heavy, stuck feeling that makes it hard to shake off negativity and truly engage with life. We'll break down how our brains get trapped in these patterns, why rumination keeps us cycling through the same emotions, and why some of us struggle to feel joy at all. Most importantly, we'll share simple, science-backed strategies to help you reconnect with your emotions, boost resilience, and start feeling alive again. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Understanding Minor Depression And Low Resilience [Joy Lab ep. 204] Refilling Your Tank and Growing Your Inner Strength [Joy Lab ep. 203] Bylsma L. M. (2021). Emotion context insensitivity in depression: Toward an integrated and contextualized approach. Psychophysiology, 58(2), e13715. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13715  Ella Wheeler Wilcox Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Time Poverty & Busyness: Too Busy to Be Well [ep. 206]

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 30:08 Transcription Available


    Feel like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it all? That feeling is sometimes called "time poverty." We'll talk more about that and how our perception of time is often distorted by chronic stress. We'll even dig into that buzzy-term "adrenal fatigue" and the importance of finding the sweet spot of stress and busyness. Most of all, we'll cover some practical tips for shifting from autopilot to mindful awareness, helping you to step out of busyness while also identifying what truly feels like time well spent.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Annie Dillard's website. Jonathan Gershuny: "Work not leisure, is now the signifier of dominant social status." Closing poem excerpt: Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata" Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Rumination: What It Is And How To Break Free From It [ep. 205]

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 21:09 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we dive deep into the pesky world of rumination—the habit of replaying worries, regrets, or anxieties in your mind. Learn the science behind the default mode network (DMN) and understand how it sparks these thought loops. We'll share some personal anecdotes and provide practical strategies to manage rumination, from engaging in focused tasks and reframing your thoughts to simply ignoring those relentless midnight musings.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Benning, S. D., & Ait Oumeziane, B. (2017). Reduced positive emotion and underarousal are uniquely associated with subclinical depression symptoms: Evidence from psychophysiology, self-report, and symptom clusters. Psychophysiology, 54(7), 1010–1030. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12853 Full transcript here Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Understanding Minor Depression And Low Resilience [ep. 204]

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 22:04 Transcription Available


    We'll dive into some key differences between minor depression and low resilience in this episode. We discuss how low resilience can feel similar to minor depression, with symptoms such as exhaustion, lack of motivation, and brain fog. Practical strategies for boosting resilience and lifting your mood are shared, like identifying factors that deplete your resilience, engaging in tactile and enjoyable activities, moving your body, and having positive social interactions. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Rodríguez, M. R., Nuevo, R., Chatterji, S., & Ayuso-Mateos, J. L. (2012). Definitions and factors associated with subthreshold depressive conditions: a systematic review. BMC psychiatry, 12, 181. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-181 Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. 

    Refilling Your Tank and Growing Your Inner Strength [ep. 203]

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 13:01 Transcription Available


    Ever feel like your tank is empty or you can't recover after a setback? In this episode, we'll get into our Element of resilience, exploring what can deplete our resilience, how we can refill our tank, and how we can even grow the size of that tank to hold more of that resilience fuel.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Do You Push Away The Good Stuff? [ep. 202]

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 18:49 Transcription Available


    When you're feeling in a rut or in a bad mood, do you tend to focus on eliminating negative emotions or inviting more positive ones in? If you swing toward the negative, well then welcome to the club! This is a common approach. The problem is that it misses half the picture and doesn't support our resilience. We'll talk about the challenges of letting in positive experiences and the psychological effects that can hinder this, such as avoidance of positivity and the contrast effect. What's the solution to this? Well, it's actually much of the work we do here at Joy Lab. Stay with us for each episode and join the Joy Lab program to build this skill of letting in more of the good.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Balance, Perfectionism, & Do-Too-Muchism [ep. 201]

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 23:25 Transcription Available


    What do balance and perfectionism have in common? Nothing really, but interestingly, we often conflate the two. In this episode, we'll talk more about what balance (or equanimity) is and isn't while we debunk common myths about balance-- particularly as it relates to perfectionism. A key takeaway is that balance is not a static, end state but rather a dynamic process much like navigating a boat through ever-changing waves. We'll offer some practical, actionable strategies that you can take right now to embrace your balance.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Burnout & Stress Relief Meditation [ep. 200]

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 10:12 Transcription Available


    Do you feel burned out? If so, you're not alone. This burnout visualization practice can help you identify the stressors that may be contributing to your burnout and also the sources of nourishment that already exist for you. During the meditation, you'll visualize and contrast a relaxed, obligation-free day with a busy workday. By observing bodily sensations and emotional responses without judgment, you can identify specific stressors and gain some insight on how you might shift your perspective about them or even change them so they don't deplete you as much. This episode follows last episode's discussion on burnout and depression. Listen to that episode before or after this one if you missed it. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Last episode: Are you burned out or depressed? Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Are You Burned Out or Depressed? (encore) [ep. 199]

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 17:48 Transcription Available


    Do you feel burned out? Or, maybe it feels like depression. Which begs the question, what's the difference between the two? Burnout and depression have a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences. We'll highlight the nuances between burnout and clinical depression and also touch on the extensive impact of burnout across various forms of labor, from professional roles to caregiving. Listen in for valuable strategies to combat burnout and stay tuned for a guided meditation in the next episode to help tap into your resilience and navigate stress in healthier ways.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.   Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Unfractured Focus: Mastering the Art of Savoring in a Distracted World [ep. 198]

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 22:19 Transcription Available


    Do you feel like your attention is fractured? Maybe you move through the day scattered, only to realize that you missed some good stuff along the way. In this episode, we'll talk about the practice of savoring, a simple skill that can help us regain control of our attention amidst the constant distractions of modern life.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Intentional Systemic Mindfulness  Finan, P. H., et al. (2023). Effects of Savoring Meditation on Positive Emotions and Pain-Related Brain Function: A Mechanistic Randomized Controlled Trial in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis. medRxiv. Access here. Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    How Savoring Shifts Your Mood, Mindset, & Behaviors (encore) [ep. 197]

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 27:17 Transcription Available


    It's really easy to fall into a deprivation mindset. It's a common message we hear in our lives that can burrow deep into our body and mind, tricking us to believe that there's not enough to go around and we're not enough either. We'll dig into this destructive mindset and how we can weed it out with the help of savoring. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. https:/www.joylab.coach   Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Zooming Out Meditation: A Guided Meditation for Stress and Anxiety [ep. 196]

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 12:20 Transcription Available


    Feeling overwhelmed or even just "meh?" In today's episode, we have a special zooming out meditation to help you find and foster joy, even in challenging times. You'll experience a calming visualization practice, encouraging relaxation and broadened perspectives inspired by the overview effect (we talked about this effect last episode). Enjoy this soothing experience to help you release unnecessary stress and reconnect with a sense of global connection and support. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Shift Setbacks Into Growth With The Overview Effect [ep. 195]

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 19:25 Transcription Available


    Tis the season of failed resolutions and unaccomplished goals. So, how can we turn that bummer and those defeats into growth? Dive deep with us as we explore why many resolutions fail: unrealistic goals and a lack of meaningful connection. Learn about the 'Overview Effect,' a concept borrowed from astronauts who experience profound shifts in perspective while gazing at Earth from space. We'll also discuss how to zoom out from the messy details that can keep us overwhelmed, connect more deeply with our goals, and grow from our challenges instead of getting bogged down by them. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Meditation: Reconnect With Your Inner-Inspiration [ep. 194]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 13:31 Transcription Available


    The science is clear that we humans are wired to tap into something deeper than just the surface layer of our day-to-day activities. It doesn't matter your beliefs, this drive for meaning and purpose is universal. That's why we practice having a conversation with our soul or wisest self in the Joy Lab Program. It's a practice we do every month as we work to build our Elements of Joy. If you're not part of the Program, this will likely be a new practice for you. The practice is designed to help you connect with your wise, authentic self and tap into the Elements of Joy in ways that really resonate with you. We thought we'd share this practice with the hope that it opens you up to new avenues of creativity and joy while offering a glimpse into the transformative practices we work on in the full Joy Lab program. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Getting Out of Burnout with Courage and Soul Work [ep. 193]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 22:53 Transcription Available


    What do courage, inspiration, burnout, and the soul have in common? A lot, actually. We'll dig into the 'Courage Work' framework developed by author and teacher Parker Palmer and how it can help us navigate out of burnout and create space for inspiration and renewal. We'll also get into some important details about the causes of burnout, the importance of deep listening and soul work, and how some of the most powerful aspects of our courage show up in surprisingly quiet ways. Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Center for Courage and Renewal Deep Listening episodes: Learning to Love Well: Listen Deeply [ep. 24] Easing Anxiety with Curiosity & the Power of Deep Listening [ep. 62] Seeing Our Innocence & Listening Deeply [ep. 65] The Compassion of Understanding & How to Practice Deep Listening [ep. 178] Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Awakening Your Connection and Purpose with Inspiration [ep. 192]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 28:04 Transcription Available


    Can inspiration really fuel motivation, connection, and a sense of purpose? The simple answer is yes. Inspiration may seem like a special, rare occurrence, but, it is something that we can prepare for and open up to in a variety of different ways. And that process of preparing for inspiration is surprisingly... well, inspirational. Listen in as we dig into some scientific insights and practical tips on how to invite more inspiration into your life and make it a reliable partner in your journey toward joy. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Don't Get Caught in the Happiness Paradox [ep. 191]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 23:17 Transcription Available


    The 'Happiness Paradox' describes how the relentless pursuit of happiness can lead to poorer emotional and long-term health outcomes. That's an important paradox to know about when there's so much pressure to just "suck it up" or "put on a happy face." We'll talk about how to avoid this by contrasting happiness with joy (short story: happiness is fleeting and dependent on external factors, joy is a more enduring internal state that can coexist with negative emotions like grief and sadness). We'll also focus on how we can create positive growth in our lives that honors the coexistence of joy and hardship and how authentic emotional experiences can foster deeper joy. We work on the skills to do this through the Joy Lab Program-- so be sure to join us there for more skill-building, community, connection, and a more empowering and flexible approach to personal growth.  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Here's a Resolution that Works [ep. 190]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 1:55 Transcription Available


    How have your New Year's resolutions worked out in the past? If you're the majority of us, then they haven't worked out too well. We've got an idea for you this year... it's a resolution that is empowering and nourishing... one that goes beyond self care and supports your mind and body in big ways. Here it is: Join us for the Joy Lab Program! It's open and ready to support you as you build more resilience and uncover more joy in 2025. Join us: https://www.joylab.coach/ Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Our Holiday Wishes for You [ep. 189]

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 4:28 Transcription Available


    This episode is our holiday card to you... we're so grateful you're part of this community and have put in the effort to grow from your innate goodness. Helping you nurture your unique gifts, embrace your full self, and grow in an empowering way is why we're here at Joy Lab. We're excited to be with you in 2025! Sources and Notes: More on these updates in episode #184: You're Gonna Love This News... Pathways North (the new home of Joy Lab) Join the Natural Mental health Newsletter  Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcripit here.  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Your Two Mental Health Podcasts for 2025 [ep. 188]

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 4:53 Transcription Available


    We've got more exciting updates for 2025! First, if you don't already know, Joy Lab is joining the nonprofit Pathways North. Second, we're launching a new podcast next year over at Natural Mental Health... the Natural Mental Health podcast. The new podcast will focus on mental health concerns and lifestyle medicine, covering topics like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. We think listening to both podcasts will be a perfect combination of science, soul, body, mind, and heart. Looking forward to spending more meaningful and wellbeing-boosting time with you in 2025!  Sources and Notes: Join the Natural Mental health Newsletter More on these updates in episode #184: You're Gonna Love This News... Pathways North (the new home of Joy Lab) Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Scarcity Mindset, Decision Making, & Mental Health [ep. 187]

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 11:43 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're digging into the fallacy of scarcity and its impact on mental health and decision making. Scarcity mentality can make us believe we lack sufficient resources, leading to anxiety, poor cognitive function, and decisions that leave us worse off. We'll talk about how to shift toward practicing sympathetic joy, which fosters a deeper sense of joy and a sense of enoughness. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Fallacy of Fairness and Victim Mentality Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Fallacy of Fairness & Victim Mentality [ep. 186]

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 22:21 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're digging into a key obstacle of Sympathetic Joy (our element for December). This is important because Sympathetic Joy, or the practice of finding joy in someone else's good fortune or joy, is powerful. It's a quick mood boosting strategy, it can foster a deeper sense of connection and belonging, it can serve as an antidote to envy and jealousy, and can fuel our own motivation to get out of ruts that can keep us down. A key obstacle to sympathetic joy is the fallacy of fairness, a thought distortion that can cloud our perception and keep us trapped in negative thought patterns. This fallacy is related to another more commonly known concept called "victim mentality." We'll talk about how this fallacy and mentality shows up, some insights on overcoming these roadblocks, and how to align your heart and mind to navigate life's challenges with a more joyful perspective. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Episode on envy: Envy: Why it surges & what to do when it does Full transcript. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    "A Long, Loving Look At What Really Is" (update + encore) [ep. 185]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 25:04 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we'll highlight some exciting updates before we share an encore episode. In the encore episode, we'll dive into the profound power of gratitude and its impact on mental health. We'll mainly focus on the first part of our three-part mindfulness process: see what is, accept what is, and choose wisely. We'll use that process to help explore emotional resilience, the role of gratitude in building connections, and how to persist through life's challenges. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Listen to the Joy Lab Podcast over at JoyLab.coach. Join the Natural Mental Health Newsletter Joy Lab podcast episode 31 (Gratitude in the Wild: Accept What Is) Joy Lab podcast episode 32 (Gratitude in the Wild: Choose Wisely)  Zadie Smith (personal website) Richard Rohr (Center for Action and Contemplation- founded by Richard Rohr) Sabrina Benaim (personal website) Full transcript here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    You're Gonna Love This News... [ep. 184]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 8:09 Transcription Available


    We have really exciting news to share with you all! The Joy Lab podcast and program will be transitioning into a new nonprofit organization called Pathways North, starting January 2025. Despite the move away from the National Mental Health Organization, you won't need to do anything differently. You can still find the pod wherever you've been listening, you can still head to JoyLab.coach to join us in the program, and most of all, you can be sure that this change is fully-focused on keeping this work going and serving you better. We're so excited for this next adventure with you! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Listen to the Joy Lab Podcast over at JoyLab.coach. Join the Natural Mental Health Newsletter  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Reduce Fear and Worry with Gratitude [ep. 183]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 18:41 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore how gratitude can be a powerful tool in managing fear and worrying. We'll touch on the evolutionary roots of fear, its impact on our lives, and how nurturing gratitude can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Most importantly, we'll illustrate how identifying and addressing fear with gratitude can bring about positive emotional shifts and meaningful actions.  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Envy: Why it surges & what to do when it does (ep. 182)  Otto, A., et. al. (2016). Effects of a randomized gratitude intervention on death-related fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors. Health psychology: official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 35(12). Access here.  See transcript here Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Envy: Why it surges & what to do when it does [ep. 182]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 25:46 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore the complex emotions of envy and gratitude. We'll discuss how practicing gratitude can serve as a powerful antidote to the corrosive effects of envy, and delve into the evolutionary purpose and varieties of envy, including benign and malicious forms. We also take a quick (and hopefully helpful!) detour into the concept of counterfactual thinking and its role in both fueling and easing envy, with a focus on the use of mindfulness and gratitude to transform negative emotions into positive action. Best of all, we'll end with a really helpful way to reframe envy as a signal for self-care and gratitude. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. More episodes on uncertainty:  Getting Comfy with Not Knowing (ep. 162) Mental Health & The Male Hubris, Female Humility Effect (ep. 157) Seeing the Goodness in Others, Yourself, & The World (ep. 66) You Are That Vast Thing You See with Great Telescopes (ep. 18) The Surprising Benefits of Not Knowing (ep. 16) Epstude, K., & Roese, N. J. (2008). The functional theory of counterfactual thinking. Personality and social psychology review : an official journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc, 12(2). Access here Hill, S. E., & Buss, D. M. (2008). The evolutionary psychology of envy. In R. H. Smith (Ed.), Envy: Theory and research (pp. 60–70). Oxford University Press. Access here. Mujcic, R. & Oswald, A. (2018). Is envy harmful to a society's psychological health and wellbeing? A longitudinal study of 18,000 adults. Social Science & Medicine, 198. Access here. Smith, R. & Kim, S. (2007). Comprehending Envy. Psychological Bulletin, 133. Access here. van de Ven, N. (2016). Envy and Its Consequences: Why It Is Useful to Distinguish between Benign and Malicious Envy. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 10(6). Access here. Xiang, Y., Chao, X., & Ye, Y. (2018). Effect of Gratitude on Benign and Malicious Envy: The Mediating Role of Social Support. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Access here. Xiang, Y., Dong, X., & Zhao, J. (2020). Effects of Envy on Depression: The Mediating Roles of Psychological Resilience and Social Support. Psychiatry investigation, 17(6). Access here. Full transcript here.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Seeing More Than Just What's Wrong (the compassion of possibility) [ep. 181]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 20:26 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore Dr. Gabor Maté's fifth and final level of compassion: the compassion of possibility. We'll dig into how we can see beyond suffering and dysfunction to recognize the good within ourselves and others. This is a skill we can all practice and get better at. And importantly, this isn't some toxic positivity exercise. This is a skill that helps us see the whole picture, the full truth of whatever we're looking at. Seeing that full picture allows us to step into our wisdom and power so that we can make decisions that are more nourishing. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Previous episodes for this series: Part 1: Your ordinary human compassion (and what happens when you say something you wish you hadn't said) [Joy Lab ep. 177] Part 2: The compassion of understanding & how to practice deep listening. [Joy Lab ep. 178] Part 3: We're all just like the rest of us, aren't we? (the compassion of recognition) [Joy Lab ep. 179] Part 4: See, Accept, & Move Beyond Past Pains (the compassion of truth) [Joy Lab ep. 180] Gabor Mate's website. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    See, Accept, & Move Beyond Past Pains (the compassion of truth) [ep. 180]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 19:22 Transcription Available


    The poet Rumi shared this wisdom: "Grief can be the garden of compassion.  If you keep your heart open through everything, Your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom." The poetry of Rumi makes that process sound like a smooth and blissful journey. But, the reality is that the work of being open amidst tough stuff, seeing our suffering, accepting our pain, and moving on can be messy and difficult. AND, no matter how many times we try and fall short, it's still healing work. We'll dig into this journey throughout the episode, how we can be open to and see the truth of our pain, and how to apply compassion and practical steps to move beyond what might be holding us back.  Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Previous episodes for this series: Part 1: Your ordinary human compassion (and what happens when you say something you wish you hadn't said) [Joy Lab ep. 177] Part 2: The compassion of understanding & how to practice deep listening. [Joy Lab ep. 178] Part 3: We're all just like the rest of us, aren't we? (the compassion of recognition) (Joy Lab ep. 179] Gabor Mate's website. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    We're All Just Like the Rest of Us, Aren't We? (the compassion of recognition) [ep. 179]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 18:03 Transcription Available


    We're focusing on the third level of compassion, as conceptualized by Dr. Gabor Maté—compassion of recognition. This level emphasizes realizing the shared nature of suffering, highlighting that we are not alone. We'll highlight the 'illusion of separation' and how breaking through it can deepen our connections and ease our struggles. The episode introduces the 'Judge, Mirror, Bridge' exercise to help listeners practice compassion by identifying judgments, finding similarities within oneself, and bridging connections with others. Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Previous episodes for this series: Part 1: Your ordinary human compassion (and what happens when you say something you wish you hadn't said) [Joy Lab ep. 177] Part 2: The compassion of understanding & how to practice deep listening. [Joy Lab ep. 178] Gabor Mate's website. How can I love myself more... and love others more too? [Joy Lab ep. 174] Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    The Compassion of Understanding & How to Practice Deep Listening [ep. 178]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 20:10 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we'll explore the 'compassion of understanding'—the second level in Dr. Gabor Maté's five levels of compassion. We'll first highlight the power of moving beyond judgment and into curiosity and understanding, using depression as an example. We'll then get into the practice of deep listening, inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh and Parker Palmer's work, to help cultivate compassion both for ourselves and others Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Gabor Mate's website. Sometimes I Just Sits... (the power of solitude) [Joy Lab ep. 74] Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Your Ordinary Human Compassion (and what happens when you say something you wish you hadn't said) [ep. 177]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 25:55 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're not just defining compassion, but we're really getting into how it shows up in our daily life. We'll start by highlighting the important difference between pain and suffering and then get into how compassion, especially self-compassion, serves as a powerful antidote to ease stress responses. This episode also sets the stage for a 5-part series examining Dr. Gabor Maté's five levels of compassion, starting with ordinary human compassion. We'll dive into lots of practical examples (e.g., when you say something you wish you hadn't) and how to apply compassion. Sources & Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Gabor Mate's website. Dr. Krisitin Neff's website (self-compassion.org). Full transcript Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    What Imposter Syndrome Really Is [ep. 176]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 24:12 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we're digging deeper into imposter syndrome. First, a reminder from last episode that you do not have a syndrome if you have these imposter feelings. You are not broken. Further, imposter feelings are not just a problem with self-esteem. This is a common misconception. Self-esteem is actually just a small contributor to these very real and uncomfortable feelings. That's why we'll focus on six key factors that can contribute to imposter feelings and some practical advice for addressing each one. It's likely you'll resonate with at least one of the factors, offering a great place to focus your attention to reduce imposter feelings. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. Access here. Langford, J., & Clance, P. R. (1993). The imposter phenomenon: Recent research findings regarding dynamics, personality and family patterns and their implications for treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 30(3), 495–501. Access here.  More episodes on uncertainty: Getting Comfy with Not Knowing (ep. 162) Mental Health & The Male Hubris, Female Humility Effect (ep. 157) Seeing the Goodness in Others, Yourself, & The World (ep. 66) You Are That Vast Thing You See with Great Telescopes (ep. 18) The Surprising Benefits of Not Knowing (ep. 16) Take the Multidimensional Introversion-Extroversion Scales. Tran, N. (2023). From imposter phenomenon to infiltrator experience: Decolonizing the mind to claim space and reclaim self. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 29(2), 184–193. Access here.  Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States from 1949/50 to 2031/32, by gender. Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. Access here. Tran, N. (2023). From imposter phenomenon to infiltrator experience: Decolonizing the mind to claim space and reclaim self. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 29(2), 184–193. https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000674  Langford, J., & Clance, P. R. (1993). The imposter phenomenon: Recent research findings regarding dynamics, personality and family patterns and their implications for treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 30(3), 495–501. Access here. Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States from 1949/50 to 2031/32, by gender.

    Imposter Syndrome Is a Myth [ep. 175]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 9:26 Transcription Available


    Imposter syndrome is a myth. Well, mostly anyway. We'll unpack this concept of imposter syndrome, or rather, imposter phenomenon, emphasizing that the common perception of it as a 'syndrome' is misleading. In this first part of our two-part series, you'll get a historical overview of this phenomenon, which starts with the work of Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes' research in the 1970s. Most importantly, we'll bust some myths around the "who" and "why" of this phenomenon, hitting on the facts that imposter feelings are universal and not solely linked to self-esteem or specific demographics. The takeaway is this: if we want to address our imposter feelings, we need to look at them more holistically and consider evidence-based strategies to reduce them. Those practical steps will be explored in part 2 of this series.  Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. Access here. Langford, J., & Clance, P. R. (1993). The imposter phenomenon: Recent research findings regarding dynamics, personality and family patterns and their implications for treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 30(3), 495–501. Access here. Tran, N. (2023). From imposter phenomenon to infiltrator experience: Decolonizing the mind to claim space and reclaim self. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 29(2), 184–193. Access here.  Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States from 1949/50 to 2031/32, by gender. Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Full transcript Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    How Can I Love Myself More... And Love Others More Too? [ep. 174]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 25:28 Transcription Available


    Love is a skill that takes daily practice. And if you're feeling a bit out of practice... well, you're not alone. In this episode, we're diving into our Element of love by focusing on the wisdom of James Baldwin as he encourages us all to find light within darkness. We'll talk about the relationship of love and mental health, love as a tool for behavior change, the importance of spotlighting positive actions, and the transformative power of kindness in practical situations.   Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Excerpt from James Baldwin's Nothing Personal. Article: Less Screaming, More Weightlifting: The Army Is Reinventing Basic Training for Gen Z Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Full transcript. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Practicing the Art of Love [ep. 173]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 25:42 Transcription Available


    We're diving into our Element of love in this episode; those genuine, deep connections that feed every aspect of wellbeing. We'll focus on five key lessons of loving well: loving oneself, seeing the innocence in others, embracing vulnerability, listening deeply, and creating a House of Belonging.  Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org.  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Making Space for Flow and Fun (special encore) [ep. 172]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 26:44 Transcription Available


    Too often mental health conversations get stuck in a focus of dysfunction, uncomfortable symptoms, and focusing on "fixing" what feels off. But, mental health is not simply about trying to rid ourselves of things like negative thoughts. So much of mental health has to do with the day-to-day infusion of positive practices. Which leads us into the importance of fun, pleasure, play, and flow as essential elements of mental health and a joyful life. We'll talk about some simple ways to embrace your fun nature and tap into more flowing states that nourish your body and mind. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Where's Your Third Place? [ep. 171]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 17:23 Transcription Available


    Do you have a 'Third Place?' If you don't (or don't know what that is), be sure to take some notes for this episode. We'll talk about a Third Place (a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg) as a an accessible, often public space that invites a diversity of folks to gather. In this episode, we'll get into the simple ways we can all deepen our connections and foster joy through Third Places and also by 'Building a House of Belonging.' Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Access lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. David Whyte website Meditation/visualization to create a house of belonging: You Belong and Are Connected [ep. 75] Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Obliger Rebellion: The Pros and Cons [ep. 170]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 15:20 Transcription Available


    Obliger rebellion... it's an intriguing term, right? Gretchen Rubin introduced it in her book, 'The Four Tendencies.' The idea here is that when our external expectations exceed a threshold, then we can become exhausted or rebel. We'll talk about the pros and cons of this phenomenon and how we can listen to our body and make more nourishing, skillful decisions before frustrations reach a boiling point.  Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Gretchen Rubin's book The Four Tendencies Episode on the "What the Hell" effect- Food: What to Add vs What to Take Away [ep. 119] Weathering emotional storms series: Joy Lab Podcast #48 (Equanimity: A Tool for Emotional Reactivity & the Power of Grounding-Part 1) Joy Lab Podcast #49 (Equanimity: When an Emotional Storm Hits & Thoughts Start Spiraling-Part 2) Joy Lab Podcast #50 (Equanimity: Seeing our Storylines and Changing Course- Part 3) Joy Lab Podcast #51 (Equanimity: Emotional Reactivity and Damage Control- Part 4) Joy Lab Podcast #52 (Equanimity: Cleaning Up After the Storm with Self-Compassion- part 5) Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Saturday Update + Summer Self-Care (SAD, sleep, supplements, and more!) [ep. 169]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 18:51


    Our self-care needs change with the seasons. That's why we're talking about self-care tips for the summertime in this episode. We'll dig into the concept of reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and offer practical advice on managing summer agitation. We'll also talk about optimizing sleep during longer days, adjusting supplement routines, and embracing seasonal diets to support wellbeing. Plus, get updates on the Joy Lab podcast's transition and new content coming soon.      Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to the Joy Lab Podcast 00:25 Episode Overview and Exciting Updates 01:49 Understanding Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 05:55 Managing Summer Activities and Social Engagements 07:06 Tips for Better Sleep During Summer 11:02 Summer Supplementation and Dietary Changes 17:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts    Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org.     Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Making Friends & Accepting Support [ep. 168]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 12:35 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we're talking about the power of deep, supportive relationships for overall wellbeing. We highlight the Japanese tradition of Moai, groups of lifelong friends that provide various supports, as an example of fostering meaningful connections. We'll talk a bit about the how-to's of building connections, focusing on the necessity of both giving and receiving love. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Access lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    The Mental Health Benefits of Dad Jokes (seriously) [ep. 167]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 8:24 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're talking about the mental health benefits of dad jokes. We're serious. We'll get into an article by humor researcher Marc Hye-Knudsen, highlighting how dad jokes can build resilience, teach impulse control, and improve emotional regulation in children. So, dads (and all of us), please take care of yourself and others by sharing a cheesy dad joke at least once daily. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources & Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Here's where our Sleep Workshop lives! Plus, gain access to lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Here's the article we focused on (Marc Hye-Knudsen): Dad jokes? That's the way eye roll… Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    The Impact of Anxiety & Depression on Decision Making [ep. 166]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 14:13 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about how anxiety and depression can influence our decision-making processes. We hope this becomes a more talked about issue because it's a common struggle. We'll get into how anxiety can narrow our options and make us more risk-averse, while depression can lead to more pessimistic choices and lower expectations of positive outcomes. We'll highlight the importance of addressing these mental health challenges to improve decision-making skills. And remember the big takeaway here: While we have tendencies, we are not bound to them and can create change through awareness and new practices. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Here's where our Sleep Workshop lives! Plus, gain access to lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. More episodes on sleep: Align With Nature & Your Rhythms (ultradian, circadian, & infradian) [ep. 139] Overcoming the Energy Thieves and Managing Energy to Feel More Refreshed, Engaged, & Connected [ep. 138] Lack of Sleep, Anxiety, and Panic Attacks [ep. 133] Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Three Questions for You... [ep. 165]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2024 1:08


    Our goal is to help you build resilience and joy. Our website and podcast exist for that goal. If you use any of those tools, then we want to know what's working, what you want to see more of, and what we can do better. This survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete. Here it is: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/assessments/2148238359 Most of all, we're grateful you're part of this community and for your help as we spread more joy and resilience all across our blue marble.

    Stuck In Judgment Or Self-Criticism? Here's How to Break Free [ep. 164]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 15:38 Transcription Available


    Does your mind feel like a constant sea of judgment? Do thoughts popcorn day and night about how you're flawed or how someone else has it all wrong? You're not alone. Those kind of thoughts are common, but they can also be pretty destructive. There's clear evidence that the more we sit in judgment, the higher our risk for depression and anxiety. We'll dig into all this, including some exploration of the concept of aversion in relation to judgment and how it manifests inside our body and out. Most important, we'll dig into self-compassion as a powerful antidote to judgment and provide practices to shift towards acceptance and less judgment. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Gain access to lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Related episodes to check out: Feel Hopeless? Hope's Out There (and in you too) (ep. 146) Accept Yourself Just As You Are & Then You Can Change (ep. 150) Self-Compassion: You Are Not Alone (ep. 86) Self-Compassion: Self-Kindness vs Self-Judgment (ep. 85) Self-Compassion: Don't Believe Everything You Think About Yourself (ep.84) Backdraft: When Being Good to Yourself Feels Bad (ep.29) You're Wired for Compassion (ep. 7) Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Are You a Short Sleeper? [ep. 163]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 11:50 Transcription Available


    Are four hours of sleep enough to function well? How about six? In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we'll dig into how much sleep most folks need, and the importance of sleep with a focus on 'short sleepers.' We'll laser in on the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on mental health, particularly in late teens and twenties, and explore some of the research. If you need some sleep support, be sure to check out our sleep workshop to help you get the hours you need. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: This is where our sleep workshop lives! You'll also gain access to lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Stellar, J. E., Gordon, A., Anderson, C. L., Piff, P. K., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2018). Awe and humility. Journal of personality and social psychology, 114(2), 258–269. Access. Hicklin, T. (2019, September 17). Gene identified in people who need little sleep. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Access. Shi, G., et al. (2019). A rare mutation of β1-adrenergic receptor affects sleep/wake behaviors. Neuron, 103(6), 1044–1055.e7. Access. Pellegrino, R., et al. (2014). A novel BHLHE41 variant is associated with short sleep and resistance to sleep deprivation in humans. Sleep, 37(8), 1327–1336. Access. Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Getting Comfy w/ Not Knowing [ep. 162]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 18:15 Transcription Available


    "I don't know." Do those three words make you feel a bit uncomfortable? Yeah, you're not alone. In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we highlight the concepts of awe and intellectual humility and how they can help us embrace more curiosity, avoid rigid thinking, and help us to stay more connected to the world around us (yes, even amidst political and social challenges). We've got some practical tips to take quick action so you can tap into the surprising freedom that sits within "not knowing."   Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources & Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Access lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Stellar, J. E., Gordon, A., Anderson, C. L., Piff, P. K., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2018). Awe and humility. Journal of personality and social psychology, 114(2), 258–269. Access.  More episodes like this: Mental Health & The Male Hubris, Female Humility Effect (ep. 157) Seeing the Goodness in Others, Yourself, & The World (ep. 66) You Are That Vast Thing You See with Great Telescopes (ep. 18) The Surprising Benefits of Not Knowing (ep. 16) Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org.    Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

    Magnesium for Anxiety & Depression [ep. 161]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 15:02 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about the use of magnesium for anxiety and depression. There's good evidence to support its use, but it can be confusing. We get into the overall power of magnesium (its importance for nerve and muscle function, gut health, and neurotransmitter production) and why it's vital for mental health, particularly how it can support mood. We'll touch on the different types of magnesium supplements, their uses, and some best practices to consider. Of course, be sure to check with your doctor before taking any new supplement.  Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community! NMH Community: Access lots of extra resilience-boosting resources AND join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going. Where to shop: Our partner store, Fullscript: Here you can find high-quality supplements and wellness products. Except for our CBD Gummies, any product links mentioned in the show notes will require an account. Sign up for free. Resilient Remedies: Shop our line of trusted, high-quality CBD gummies. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at NaturalMentalHealth.com for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies. Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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