Our Soft Machine

How'd you sleep last night? Us? Not so well, and maybe you're familiar with that pattern like a lot of Americans. In this episode we discuss sleep and mental health, and how a poor relationship with it can put us more at risk than we thought. Don't let the stress of it get to you, though. It's not gonna keep us up at night... Be well! Resources:   “Sleep and Mental Health.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Health Publishing, July 2009, Updated June 2019 Wanjek, Christopher. “Being a Night Owl Really Can Hurt Your Mental Health.” LiveScience, Purch, 30 Jan. 2019 Jones, Samuel E., et al. “Genome-Wide Association Analyses of Chronotype in 697,828 Individuals Provides Insights into Circadian Rhythms.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 29 Jan. 2019 Strine, Tara W, and Daniel P Chapman. “Associations of Frequent Sleep Insufficiency with Health-Related Quality of Life and Health Behaviors.” NeuroImage, Academic Press, 31 July 2004

Happy new year...a week and a half later! In this episode we talk about self care, inspired by an article that co-host Sebastian read about New Year's resolutions. What does #selfcare really mean? It's such a trend lately that it seems to have a definition of excess and hedonism. Let us help you realize what small everyday things you can, and might already, do to help keep your sanity. People in caregiver positions will be particularly interested in this episode. Oh, an we're missing Andrew this week as he takes a break, but never fret as "Kim" (not her real name) is here to explain self care from a caregiver (nursing) perspective. Thanks for listening and be well! Trying something different with out resources. Let us know if the link doesn't work.

Wow, what a hiatus! Now that co-host Sebastian is back in the states the show can go on in time for the holidays. This episode we discuss social media and the effects it has on us as individuals and society at large. As always, thanks for listening and BE WELL! References: Gen Z is quitting social media in droves because it makes them unhappy, study finds How social media affects mental health Online Social Networking and Mental Health The importance of curating your own space: mental health and social media

Here it is, then end of an era. No, not our show! Just what's been deemed the "recovery" series. We will discuss more in depth or broadly the subjects we have discussed so far, but hopefully this has been a good introduction to mental health and to us. Today's episode is treatment: what's it look like and where can I (or you) find it? Thanks for listening as always!

Hey, folks, here's our latest episode all about coping skills. What are they and what do they mean to us? Everyone has 'em, some may not even realize it actually. Whatever you do (that's positive!) to help put a smile on your face, keep at it! Sources:  Using Coping Skills During Difficult Times and Calamities - Najwa Awad Grief and Negative Coping - whatsyourgrief.com "Therapeutic video games help boost, regulate kids' emotional coping skills" by Bob Dumas The Power of Mindfulness: What You Practice Grows Stronger | Shauna Shapiro | TEDxWashingtonSquare National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Hey again! In our second episode we cotinue the conversation of the previous episode by defining mental illness, particularly by exploring our own. Join us in diving a little deeper in the field and in ourselves. Sources: Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Text Line International Association for Suicide Prevention Childhood Trauma And Its Lifelong Health Effects More Prevalent Among Minorities - NPR Good Things for Those Who Wait: Predictive Modeling Highlights Importance of Delay Discounting for Income Attainment Delaying gratification depends on social trust Phineas Gage - Wikipedia Deliberate Practice and Performance in Music, Games, Sports, Education, and Professions: A Meta-Analysis

Welcome, everyone, to the very first episode. We discuss what makes up mental health through research, opinions, and our very own lived experience. If you, or someone you know, needs to reach out to your local mental health resources, or the Suicide Prevention Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Be well! Sources:Suicide Prevention Lifeline Mental Health America Crisis Text Line National Alliance on Mental Health "These teens saw how poor mental health hurt their peers. So they got a law passed." by Debbie Troung Virginia's Legislative Information Mental Health Association in New York, Inc. New York's Legislative Information