I’m all for self-help.
It’s not always necessary to call on external help, your mind is a vast resource of knowledge and intelligence that can absorb information to utilise for your own benefit. We should all be self-sufficient in managing our own mental wellbeing and trying as much as we can on our own.
There are loads of resources out there to help, but it can be overwhelming to know where to
start so how do you sift through and find what are the best ones?
Here are some of my recommendations.
Podcasts
The Richard Nicholls podcast
A great series of podcasts from a fellow psychotherapist on understanding yourself to motivate, inspire and help you to be the best you can be. Not overly long and a plethora of subjects are covered. Check out the back catalogue. I love Richard’s easy-going manner and his cheesy jokes just make him more endearing.
All In the Mind
Quite in-depth chats on the mind and our thoughts and feelings from BBC Radio 4. Thought-provoking and good to further conversations.
Happy Place by Fearne Cotton
A great interview series where Fearne chats to well-known people about what happiness means to them. A great insight into how we are all trying to understand what is going on inside our mind.
Books
The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters
The mind explained using great metaphors from the sports psychiatrist that works with the British Olympic Cycling team. An absolutely fascinating description of what is a complex subject – you know I love metaphors.
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
All you need to know about my favourite subject – learn about the science behind sleep and how it’s your free therapy.
Habits of a Happy Brain by Loretta Graziano Breuning
Explains the chemical response of the body, how it helps you to feel good and what you can do about making sure you have a plentiful supply of them
Netflix
After Life
A stark portrayal of depression with a twist of humour, from Ricky Gervais. I wasn’t a fan of his before I saw this but the writing and depiction of how clinical depression manifests itself in everyday modern life made me completely change my mind about him – just try it.
The Mind, Explained
A short series describing what goes on inside our brains. The episode of the brain scans on Buddhist monks particularly remains in my memory.
Apps
Calm
A wonderful resource for soundtracks to help you calm your anxiety, sleep better and bedtime stories for adults. I particularly love Matthew McConaughey reading Wonder – have a listen and you can thank me later for that one! (wink)
Headspace
A real classic now – helping you learn the basics of meditation and more if you want to dig deeper.
BBC SOUNDS
The mindful mix
A fabulous set of relaxing and soothing sounds to relax you when you’re feeling anxious, help you drift off to sleep, or just do nothing.
I hope this gives you a good place to start. Sometimes it’s just 1 line in 1 book or 1 phrase on a podcast that can turn on the lightbulb to make the change that you need.