The Happier Life Project

Loving an Addict; Looking After Yourself with Taner Hassan

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it doesn’t just impact that person. It impacts the whole friends and family network. Your life becomes filled with worry, stress, frustration and anticipation, which can chip away at your physical, mental and emotional health. Strained relationships, financial difficulties, and increased risk of abuse are only the tip of the iceberg as your life becomes consumed by their problems.
But if we can’t walk away, how do we cope? How do we set healthy boundaries? How do we stop something bad from happening without succumbing to enabling? How do we make sure we don’t neglect the rest of the family, as we’ve been focussing all our efforts on the addicted person? How do we look after ourselves?
Counsellor, psychotherapist and addiction expert Taner Hassan has over fifteen years experience specializing in Substance Misuse Addiction, Sex Addiction, Porn Addiction and Alcohol Addiction. Taner has worked within the NHS, Community Drug & Alcohol services and addiction and mental health rehabs; working tirelessly, not only with the person in addiction, but also with the family members in addiction.
Today’s episode is for those of you who have someone in your life, that you love, who is battling with any kind of addiction. This might also be helpful to share with anyone you know who is an addict to help them see how it affects you and your mental health.
 
To work with Taner and to find out more about his services: https://www.taner-hassan.com/
To follow Taner on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanertherapy/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
 

Reset Your Body Clock with Professor Russell G. Foster

Your body's "biological clock," or 24-hour cycle (circadian rhythm) can be disrupted by a number of factors from too much technology time, not getting enough natural light, working night shifts, a partner who snores, jetlag, children, external sound distractions… the list goes on. Interrupted, or not long enough sleep, can cause a negative impact on our health, happiness and wellbeing; with varying symptoms from mild to severe.
Professor Russell Foster is Head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, the founding Director of the Sleep and Circadian Research Institute (SCNi) and is a Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford. He is also author of 'Life Time: The New Science of the Body Clock, and How It Can Revolutionize Your Sleep and Health' and is regarded as a world-leading expert on circadian neuroscience.
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Professor Foster studies how circadian rhythms and sleep are generated and regulated and the impact across the health spectrum when these systems fail. Why do we feel more emotional when we don’t get enough sleep? Why are some people early birds, others night owls? And can one turn into the other? Is it ok to take sleeping aids such as medication or alcohol? Does the use of blackout blinds help or hinder our natural sleep-wake cycle? And why do most mental health illnesses change the way we sleep?
Professor Foster shares all the science and research based facts around these common questions, dispelling the myths whilst explaining how a well regulated body clock can drastically improve our quality of life, health and happiness.
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
Life Time: The New Science of the Body Clock, and How It Can Revolutionize Your Sleep and Health is available to purchase in most places.

Demystifying Women’s Reproductive Health Dr Brooke Vandermolen

When we look at a female’s reproductive health (the health of an individual's reproductive system during all stages of their life), there is a lot going on! And while we have made great progress in openly discussing topics that have historically been conducted in hushed tones, or not spoken about at all, there is still a lot of confusion and embarrassment around certain areas.
Good sexual and reproductive health is important for quality of life for all people. And we know all too well, if we keep worries and concerns bottled up, this takes its toll on our mental health and state of wellbeing. Dr Brooke Vandermolen is on a mission to talk openly and informatively about women’s health and parenthood. A practicing NHS Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor, as well a popular medical content creator, under the handle the @theobgynmum Brooke’s evidence-based information has taken the internet by storm, smashing down taboos and reassuring thousands of women about their reproductive and sexual health.
Should we be using feminine hygiene products, what is a ‘normal menstrual cycle’, can diet really affect fertility, what if I don’t have a symmetrical looking vulva, is it ok to have a bit of discharge every day, should I get the HPV Vaccine even though I’ve already started having sex, and why are our emotions so influenced by our reproductive organs… Dr Brooke sits down with host Gabby to cover all this and more.
 
For more on Dr Brooke Vandermolen: https://theobgynmum.com/
To follow Dr Brooke on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theobgynmum/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
 

What It Means To Be A Real Man with Alex Holmes

Surveys from around the world find that males everywhere are reluctant to talk about their mental health. Could the dangerous effects of toxic masculinity, the way men are culturally trained and socially pressured to behave, be the main underlying reason why? 
In a world heavily influenced by the projections of film, the media and social media, what does it mean to be ‘a real man’? And if you don’t fit the definition of, what does that make you?  
Alex Holmes, is an award-winning mental health podcaster, writer, mental health coach, trainee therapist and workshop leader. Alex has spoken extensively on the mental health of men and boys, taking an intersectional approach by looking at the impacts of gender, race, sexuality, and ability on our mental wellbeing.
Alex is also author of ‘Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging, and Connection’, which highlights some of the areas men struggle to open up about most, whilst debunking masculinity myths and explaining why '’Manning Up" is NOT the answer.
Alex and host Gabby look at some of the dangerous definitions of what it means to be a man among men in today’s society. They also explore why so many men feel it’s better to suffer in silence and bottle up their emotions rather than communicate. Alex shares gentle advice on what anyone can do to support a man who may be struggling, thus helping to change the narrative that vulnerability isn’t rooted in weakness, but in strength. 
For more on Alex Holmes, his podcast, courses and book: https://alexholmes.co/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

Coping with Grief and Loss with Alex Mammadyarov

Grief and Loss affects nearly all people at some point in their life. Not only do we have to go through it, we have to experience loved ones go through it too.
The pain and suffering can be excruciating and highly traumatic. And we can grieve in different ways, presenting a variety of symptoms and emotions including: shock and numbness, overwhelming sadness (with lots of crying), tiredness or exhaustion, anger and guilt.
Alex Mammadeeyarov is a psychotherapist from New York who offers therapy for grief, relationships, & personal growth. In this episode of The Happier Life Project Alex offers comfort and advice for the grieving, sharing her expert wisdom as a grief counselor.
Bereavement is the main reason for grief and loss, but there are other reasons we can mourn a loss too, such as; the end of a relationship (romantic or friendship), losing a job or changes in financial security, changes in health, losing someone to addiction… The death of a loved one is the predominant theme in Alex’s conversation with host Gabby, but the other reasons for why we grieve are also discussed too.
Please note, this episode contains content that some listeners may find upsetting due to the subject matter. Please proceed gently and with self-compassion. If you are in need of some professional medical advice, the crisis button on the My Possible Self app offers a directory of expert helplines.
For more on Alex Mammadyarov: https://www.alexmammadyarovtherapy.com/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
 

Finding Friendship and Your People with Lane Moore

We see it on TV, in movies, read about it in books, listen to it in songs… the kind of friendships that stand the test of time, weather all of life's challenges and have each other’s back to the bitter end. But in reality not everyone is lucky enough to have a 'bff' or a circle of close friends, especially as we get older. According to mind.org.uk research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.
But there might be many reasons why people lack friends. Some may want more friends, while others are satisfied with fewer social connections. Some people may stick with friends that aren’t good friends at all... and can end up feeling lonelier than ever as a result.
Lane Moore is an award-winning comedian, writer, actor, and musician. She received a GLAAD award for her groundbreaking work expanding Cosmopolitan's queer coverage when she was the sex and relationships editor. Her rock band “It Was Romance” has been praised everywhere from Pitchfork to Vogue, and The New York Times called her hugely popular comedy show "Tinder Live” ingenious.
Lane’s debut book is the highly praised "How to Be Alone’ If You Want To, and Even If You Don't" and she has just released her second manuscript "You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult" which, like her first, is part memoir, part self-help book.
In this episode of The Happier Life Project, Lane shares with host Gabby how difficult she has found it to make deep, solid friendships, which inspired her to write "You Will Find Your People". Lane and Gabby also talk about how you have to put yourself out there if you want to widen your friendship circle and make new friends. Lane shares her advice on ways to meet new people plus how to come up with a common ground icebreaker to get the conversation going. Lane also talks about how society views people who are alone and why dog’s really are a man’s best friend.
For more on Lane Moore and all her work: https://www.lanemoore.org/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
 

Eat To Beat Your Diet with Dr William Li

How do you cope mentally with ‘being on a diet’? Especially when most diets fail most of the time? “Chronic dieters consistently report guilt and self-blame, irritability, anxiety and depression, difficulty concentrating and fatigue. Their self-esteem is decreased by continuous feelings of failure related to ‘messing my diet up again’, leading to feelings of lack of control over one’s food choices and further life in general. Diets imply restriction. Psychologically, dietary restraint can lead to greater reactivity to food cues, increased cravings and disinhibition, and overeating and binge eating.” Linder Centre of Hope.
Dr William Li is an internationally renowned physician, researcher, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller “Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself.” Dr Li's groundbreaking work has led to the development of more than 30 new medical treatments for more than 70 diseases including cancer, diabetes, blindness, heart disease and obesity. And his TED Talk, “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?” has racked up over 11 million views. In Dr Li’s latest book, “Eat to Beat Your Diet: Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, and Live Longer” he breaks down how to use food to recruit good fat to burn away bad fat, offering 150 metabolism-healing foods to add to your diet.
Psychology is an important aspect of all behaviors, and weight loss is no exception. In this fascinating conversation with host Gabby, Dr Li explains how by eating well and taking back control of your eating window, you can master your cravings, lose harmful fat, increase your lifespan and overall health. Dr Li also shares some groundbreaking new research on metabolism and dispels common food and diet myths.
For more on Dr William Li, his courses and books: https://drwilliamli.com/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast
 

Better Sleep for Parents & Kids with Lucy Wolfe

Sleep, or lack of, disturbs the whole family. Parents that are struggling to get, or keep, their child asleep can feel confused, stressed and exhausted … which inevitably the child picks up on. And for children, the effects of sleep deprivation can lead to lifelong problems.
Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health. Whereas not getting enough sleep can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, depression and learning problems.
Navigating a child's sleeping schedule can be incredibly challenging, but achieving good sleep for both parent and baby is a crucial component of emotional, mental, cognitive and physical health.
Lucy Wolfe, is a leading sleep consultant and author of the best-selling books: The Baby Sleep Solution and All About the Baby Sleep Solution. Lucy works with parents on a one-to-one basis, providing a bespoke sleeping plan, together with quality guidance, support, relational safety, and compassion. Lucy is also the resident sleep contributor on Virgin Media One's breakfast show in Ireland, a regular media contributor and has a strong presence on social media with a large following.
In this episode of The Happier Life project, host Gabby asks Lucy for her thoughts on areas that divide a lot of parents such as co-sleeping, sweet comfort treats before bedtime and whether to let their infant cry themselves to sleep when trying to get down for the night in their own room.Lucy also talks about why implementing a regular morning routine gives parents the best shot for creating a successful bedtime routine - whilst sharing the foundations for what her ideal bedtime routine for families would look like.
For more on Lucy, her courses and books: https://sleepmatters.ie/To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

Managing Anxiety with Kimberley Quinlan

An Anxiety Disorder is one of, if not the, biggest mental health problem in the world. Every human has feelings of anxiety during their life. But when our anxiety gets hyperactive, this anxiety can turn into a disorder and make it a lot more difficult to get through the day. Leading anxiety expert Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Anxiety, OCD (and related disorders), and eating disorders.Kimberley is also author of The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD, founder of CBTschool.com and host of the 'Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast', a podcast aimed at providing mindfulness-based tools for anxiety, OCD and depression. 
Kimberley is passionate about advocating for those with Mental Health Disorders and joining host Gabby assures you can reclaim your life from an anxiety disorder and overcome chronic anxiety. She also shares her personal top 3 non-negotiables that she has in her own anxiety toolkit and explains why self-compassion and self-care is crucial in recovery.
Topics included in this conversation include catastrophizing, fear, panic, our inner critic, internet anxiety, health anxiety, sleep anxiety, when it’s other people that make you anxious… and the tiny shifts we can make to put us on the path to being free from the clutches of anxiety.
 
To find out more about Kimberley Quinlan: https://kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com/
This is Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast: https://kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com/podcast-blog/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

How To Get Unstuck with Britt Frank

According to the school of life.com “Many of us spend a large part of our lives, in one way or another, feeling stuck - that is in a state where a strong desire to move forward on an issue meets with an equally strong compulsion to stay fixed where one is.”
Whether that’s in our career, relationships, friendships, family, ambitions, struggles, addictions, we hit a wall and can’t see past it. Feeling stuck can make us feel frustrated, down, trapped, unmotivated, and we blame and shame ourselves for feeling this way.
Britt Frank is a licensed psychotherapist and trauma expert, speaker, and author of 'The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path'. And according to Britt, if you are feeling stuck, the good news is, you’re not lazy, crazy, or unmotivated. Your brain is NOT your enemy... it’s actually on your side!
In this episode of The Happier Life Project, Britt explains how anxiety plays such an important role in stuckness and why it’s so important to differentiate between critical awareness and critical self talk. Britt and host Gabby, also discuss why so many people feel trapped and stuck in the workplace and why boredom could be a sign of burnout.
Britt shares expert advice on how to break through restlessness, along with simple actionable steps on how to get unstuck. She also talks about how unprocessed parts of our childhood could be the reason we find ourselves stuck in adult life, plus why our brains shut down and cause us to procrastinate.
To find out more about Britt Frank and The Science of Stuck: https://www.scienceofstuck.com/
To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast