Thinking Habits Podcast Thinking Habits

Hi all. It's been a few weeks since the last episode, which is not how I wanted it to go. Unfortunately, life gets in the way sometimes.



To that end we've been faced with a choice:



1. End it here.
2. Switch to fortnightly/monthly
3. Call this 'Season 1' and build up more content for Season 2



The first option is out, I want this to continue. The decision is being made due to a desire to create quality, interesting content but lacking the physical time to do so. Creating content for the sake of it is not how I want this to go, and it would be more than a little hypocritical to make myself stressed and unwell meeting an arbitrary target while telling people to be kind to themselves!



Option 2 is possible, but the next couple of months are insanely busy so I don;t want to commit to something I may end up missing.



Option 3 is the best for me, for us. It allows me to review the first 23 episodes, pull out the key topics, stuff I've missed or want to revisit and come back with better stuff.



This episode is a semicolon in the story; it marks the end of 6 months of podcasts which we've enjoyed immensely. And I'm beyond grateful for your support. I hope THP will continue to be useful, and as ever I'm always looking for interesting new topics, so please keep in touch.



See you in Season 2!



#keeptalking



Simon

This week we get to talk about music - an episode that we've been toying with since the very beginning.



Music has the ability to change my mood in an instant and I can put myself back in a very specific time and place by listening to a song decades later.



We chat a bit about why this is, and this expands into a wider discussion on how music is important in formative years and beyond. And I get to talk about West Kennet Long Barrow. Ace.



Some interesting links from Mind Here and Here



As ever, get in touch via thinkinghabits@gmail.com with comments etc



#keeptalking!



Simon & Pamela

This week we touch on the subject of Serotonin, Dopamine and (briefly) Oxytoxcin and Endorphins.



The continuous plate-spinning the brain does to keep these in equilibrium underpins everything from emotional regulation to gut motility.



We talk about how different levels can cause different symptoms and what can be done to maintain a healthy balance. In particular we talk about microdosing* - the use of low doses of psychedelics to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, or to increase productivity.



Researching this I learned loads, but it's still scary to me. We'll see how the research goes.



For more info about it, we'd recommend visiting thethirdwave.co as it's incredibly detailed.



**disclaimer*: Technically it's naughty. We're not your parents but just be careful… you know how we worry.

The laundry's folded, the cutlery drawer is all lined up, the pens are arranged in order of size, then colour. Right, it's time to do the onerous thing I've been putting off. 



OK, maybe after I've had a nap.



Procrastination is an easy trap to fall into, and in the complex venn diagram of mental wellbeing it features prominently for a variety of reasons.



In this episode we discuss our own procrastination triggers, how we work around it and then we veer off a little bit into podcast recommendations because there's nothing like focussing on the job in hand.



Enjoy!



#keeptalking



Simon & Pamela

We have pets - a rabbit and a tortoise. Loads of racing when we're not about I reckon.



Today we talk about pets and service animals of all kinds, from guide dogs to peacocks. We talk about the difference between a service animal and a support animal, and how they can both have an incredibly positive effect on mental health and quality of life.



I think this is a topic that could spur further discussions, do let us know if you have a service/support animal story you'd like to share!



podcast@thinkinghabits.co.uk or @thinkinghabits.



#keeptalking



Simon & Pamela

This week we're all about breathing in, then out. It's all about mindfulness and yoga.



A brief intro into the origins of mindfulness, some insight into popular practices, teachers and applications, plus some different interpretations of mindfulness in action.



The Venn diagram between mindfulness and yoga is quite snug, the latter is inextricably linked to the former so we talk about that too.



As a bonus, I've included the 5-minute mindfulness exercise I did for my practitioner course. If you don't find my voice soporific enough give this a go!



Also, Links to John Kabatt-Zinn, Shamash Alidina and the Yogalife Project are here for you to explore. #otherservicesareavailable :)



Enjoy, in the present moment!



#keeptalking



Simon & Pamela