The Richard Nicholls Podcast

Send us a textWe often look at mental health as being a brain thing rather than a body thing but of course our brain is part of our body, it's an organ that needs looking after like every other organ does.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textThis week I'm looking at how everyday moments with others help us feel more connected. From quick chats to shared experiences, we explore what fills our social meter and what happens when it runs low. It's a gentle reminder to reach out, notice those around us, and stay open, even when it feels easier to hide.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIt's Friday 13th, so today I've got a bonus episode for you about the psychology of superstition.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textFake it till you make it sounds a little problematic and it can be, but when done properly learning to model confidence isn't about being fraudulent, it's about becoming a fuller, braver version of yourself.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textYour brain has a remarkable ability to filter and remember important experiences while discarding the less significant ones. It does so by comparing new experiences with past ones and using emotional reactions to determine their importance.Let's look at how we can train it!Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textStriking a balance between too much logic and too much emotion isn't easy. But with a bit of practise you can create what therapists sometimes refer to as the Wise Mind.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textOutside of psychology, "Rumination" is the word used for the way certain animals chew their food.Animals with multiple stomachs are able to move food from one stomach back up to their mouth to chew it some more before swallowing it back down again ready to chew it again a bit later.That's why we use it in psychology to mean to chew over your thoughts. Even if you swallow your thoughts down they keep coming back up for you to chew over again.That's rumination. Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textGoing back to basics today with a refresher about anxiety.If you're new to my content this is a great place to start to learn how to deal with it.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textSometimes our brains take us back in time, whether we like it or not. A smell, a sound, a certain day on the calendar can pull us into the past like we've put on a pair of VR goggles.In today's episode I'm talking about getting triggered, what that really means, and how we can gently take those goggles off and come back to the here and now.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textSelf care and self awareness go hand in hand. By taking care of ourselves and recognising some of the reasons behind our urges and behaviours we can overcome so many obstacles.Today's episode is all about using the acronym H.A.L.T to help us remember that there may be other things going on with us.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textToday is all about Obsessive Compulsive Personality.OCD is talked about a lot because it's such a life destroying disorder, and so is quite obvious if someone has it. But when it's a personality trait people can often just get labelled as "difficult" and they don't seek help.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textPersonal growth can really only happen by having gone through some sort of pain, some bad experience.Living inside our comfort zones gets us nowhere unfortunately.What we need though, is the right mindset so that those bad experiences push us forward, not hold us back.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textThis week I'm looking at the constant battle between our real self and our ideal self, and how those nagging “shoulds” (“I should be more productive,” “I should have my life figured out”) create unnecessary pressure and self-criticism.Dove Real Beauty Sketcheshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrHoDJinMQISupport the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textToday's episode is all about Commitment and why it's so important when it comes to personal development.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textToday's is a follow up from the personality disorders episode and is about how we can regulate our emotions when we're overwhelmed.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textBeing behind on your goals doesn't mean rushing to get everything finished, it doesn't mean disrespecting yourself and not looking after yourself.One of the most important factors in getting through a busy life with a healthy and happy mindset is the quality time that you put to one side just for you.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textNot everyone benefits from traditional forms of self-care. Some people actually find it quite distressing. If you've had difficult experiences in your past—especially in childhood—you might struggle with the idea of sitting in silence with yourself.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIs there really such a thing as an addictive personality?Or do people who are addicted to something just need to prove to themselves that they DO have control?Let's explore the nature of addiction, debunk some common myths, and discuss practical strategies.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textNot everyone likes labels when it comes to mental health issues, but for some people it can be quite reassuring to be told that their reactions to the world are so common that we even have a name for it. So today I'm giving you a very brief introduction to what we call Personality Disorders.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textFeeling anxious doesn't mean that we need to run and hide.Sometimes our emotions make mistakes and very often their instructions come from our beliefs.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textEver heard of Sensory Processing Sensitivity?It's a neurological trait that means that one in 6 people have super duper processing abilities of all of their experiences. Sounds like a superpower doesn't it?Some with it don't always think so though.Take the testhttps://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textWhy do small setbacks make us feel like giving up completely—and how can we break free from all-or-nothing thinking to finally reach our goals?Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIf you had all the time in the world, what would you do?Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textThe words in our head and the words we hear ourselves say have a surprising influence on our life. It's worth checking sometimes whether the self talk we have is a friend or a foe.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIt may be Valentine's Day this month, a day to remind someone that you love them, but I think we very often need to bring it closer to home.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textBit of a psychological education episode today all about our decision making and how our emotions can influence it.Support the showJoin our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.comJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIs it true that first impressions of something or someone stick?Yes and no is the rather annoying answer.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textThis week's shorter podcast episode is about hedonic habituation, which is the desensitisation we experience to our material things.But if buying things doesn't ultimately influence our happiness for very long, then what does?Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textProblems can begin when catastrophic thinking turns into a habit. When our brains constantly predict the worst, it soon becomes our go-to response, reinforcing a cycle that feels real and unavoidable. As if those thoughts are based on reality rather than imagination.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIn order to figure out the best ways to regulate emotions, Psychologists need to find ways of creating the emotions in the first place.Today we're going to look how to do that and why it's worth it.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textCognitive Distortions are the thinking traps where our mind convinces us of something that isn't actually true.Once habitual and almost a part of our personality, they can very often start the ball rolling for depression and anxiety.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textTo some people, the idea of a walk in the park is exactly that.A walk in the park. To someone else though, it's a minimum of 7 out of 10 on the "I feel like something horrible is about to happen" scale.Everyone has their own unique way of feeling and reacting and will need a unique reaction from you too.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textWhether we're aware of them or not, beliefs drive much of our thinking, and, as a result, they drive a lot of our feelings and behaviours. All the things that influence our mental health.https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls/giftSupport the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textIn order to figure out the best ways to regulate emotions, Psychologists need to find ways of creating the emotions in the first place.Today we're going to look how to do that and why it's worth it.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textSomething that I think is important to bear in mind about making decisions is the unavoidable truth that you will at some point make a mistake.We need to be ok with that.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textFor many, anxiety is all about being vulnerable to the possibility of rejection. It's normal for our brain to seek out what we fear and notice dangerous possibilities. But those with bad experiences may have been primed from an early age to expect rejection by default.Because of this, their brain is going to start perceiving rejection everywhere.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardn.bsky.social Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textTrauma is as close to a disability as you can get without being given a blue badge.It paralyses people. Trauma genuinely alters the brain so much that people have to develop ways of living with it that end up creating behaviours and attitudes that can be dangerous.Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardn.bsky.social Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textLast week I made an episode about quietening the mind specifically for sleep, and I got a few messages from patrons saying "That's all well and good but what about quietening it down the rest of the time?"Support the show Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardn.bsky.social Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls

Send us a textThere are times when our brain just can't seem to switch off.Today we go through some ways to help you with that and hopefully get some good quality rest.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textEver wondered how you can hear a piece of music or smell some perfume and it generates an emotional response? This week I talk about how the brain makes this work and how to create new emotional responses that you can use anytime you like.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textKindness is often linked with better mental health. It helps us to feel connected to others, creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation.But I say there's a time and a place for it, and it might not be now and it might start closer to home.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textI think of assertiveness as a skill as much as anything.I guess we can think it as a personality trait but it involves behaviours. Self directed behaviours with an end goal in mind. A goal of establishing boundaries and setting expectations.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textAnhedonia is a symptom of many problems where the brain simply doesn't allow pleasure to exist.Often described as "An array of deficits in hedonic function" Anhedonia will even switch pleasure seeking off. After all, there's no point in trying to do anything pleasurable when it doesn't make you feel any better anyway.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textBecause mental health problems are invisible they aren't talked about in quite the same way as physical health problems. But there may be people in your life that need to talk about their mental health. You might need to talk too.So how do we do that?Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textThis morning's episode is about having a "growth" mindset vs a "fixed" mindset.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a text"Awe" tends to be defined as the emotion we experience when encountering something with such perceived vastness that our brain might find it hard to comprehend how it can exist.Being "awed" by an experience can have some surprisingly powerful, positive effects on us.Awesome LinksWatch All The Apple TV Aerial Video Screensavershttps://bzamayo.com/watch-all-the-apple-tv-aerial-video-screensaversElbow One Day Like This with the BBC Concert Orchestra and choir Chantage https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2q7e5lSlow motion Droplet Collisionshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI-LIVs-toMusharaf Asghar overcoming his stammer.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgZfLImT2gMStar Wars - Main Title. The Danish National Symphony Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we3VEI5pmqoSupport the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textDoes our belief in ourselves work for us or against us?Or both?Today is all about how our belief in an optimistic future makes it all happen.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textPositive messages such as "Keep Calm & Carry On" or "Don't Worry Be Happy" sound like a good idea. But sometimes we need to acknowledge how we feel and I wonder if the overly optimistic ignorance of positive messages can do more harm than good sometimes.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textIs life really all that bad?Today I'd like to talk about how our perspective on things influences our mood and vice versa.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textMindfulness often gets confused with meditation or hypnotherapy. I can understand why but they are different and if meditation and hypnotherapy isn't your thing then maybe mindfulness can really open up some new perspectives for you.Support the show Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

Send us a textIn his letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963, after being arrested on the rather trumped up charge of marching without a permit,  Martin luther king wrote, amongst other things, this quote. he said "There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love" in other words, if you feel disappointed it's only because you care about something. Support the Show. Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor