Dose of Wonder

This week’s podcast explores the multifaceted relationship between humans and pets, detailing the various mental and physical health benefits of pet ownership across different age groups, including reduced stress and improved cardiovascular health. I also discuss the responsibilities and considerations involved in having a pet, such as financial costs and time commitment. Furthermore, the referenc...

In this week’s podcast I explore interconnected aspects of mental well-being. including practices like yoga for improved mood and examine the link between dehydration and increased feelings of anxiety and depression, emphasizing the importance of adequate water intake for mental health. I also talk about the powerful benefits of kindness, both giving and receiving, for enhancing happiness, reducin...

This week’s podcast centres on the impactful message of the four words: "I'm rooting for you." Thanks to watching a video of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, inspiring me to share this sentiment with listeners. l emphasize the profound and uplifting nature of knowing someone, even a stranger, is offering their support. I believes everyone deserves to hear these words and encourages readers to absor...

In this week’s podcast I challenge the assumption that all individuals are inherently social and require constant in-person connection. Myself, who identifies as an introvert, say that virtual interactions can be a fulfilling form of connection for some and I argue against shaming those who prefer solitude or minimal social engagement, asserting that different levels of social interaction are norm...

On this week’s podcast I argue that focusing on one's breath serves as a constant anchor to the present moment, a core principle of mindfulness. Drawing from personal experience with yoga and meditation, I emphasize that the act of remembering our breath aligns with the Pali word "Sati," meaning both mindfulness and remembrance. Ultimately I suggest this seemingly simple act is crucial for cultiva...

On this week’s podcast I share my experience of navigating grief approaching the anniversary of my mom’s death, which brings a sense of heaviness. Adding to the emotional burden is the loss of my senior rescue dog to cancer. I also briefly talk about about what not to say to grieving individuals. Overall, this podcast explores the exhausting nature of confronting multiple layers of grief simultane...

In this week’s podcast I explore the beneficial relationship between humans and animals, specifically focusing on how pets can enhance mindfulness and contribute to overall well-being like how interacting with pets promotes present moment awareness, reduces stress, improves relationships, encourages nature interaction, and aids meditation as well as highlights the health benefits of dog ownership,...

This week’s podcast is a quick hit dose of wonder, as it’s a short episode, where I reflect on a reminder from a yoga instructor and a similar sentiment encountered elsewhere about the importance of standing tall and being open. I encourage listeners to resist minimizing themselves, silencing their inner critics, and hiding in the shadows, even for introverts. I emphasize the need to take up space...

In this week’s podcast I outline ten key principles of Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy for living a better life. I simplify Stoic concepts from sources like Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, providing practical advice. The core ideas include connecting with nature, living virtuously, focusing on what you can control, and understanding the nature of good, bad, and indifferent things. The podcast...

This week’s podcast explores resilience through the lens of positive psychology. It emphasizes strengthening inner good rather than solely fixing the "bad" and highlights optimism and gratitude as key components of resilience, providing practical advice like reframing negative thoughts and creating contingency plans. I outline eight areas to cultivate resilience, including self-awareness, self-reg...

On this week’s podcast I talk about grief following the deaths of several family members and explore my journey through loss, highlighting the emotional impact and my subsequent adoption of yoga and meditation as coping mechanisms. I also talk about the concept of post-traumatic growth, emphasizing transformation through grief. References How Grief Changes You a journey of Post-Traumatic Growth ht...

In this week’s podcast, I talk about 18 self help/self improvement books I read between December 2020 and March 2022 around, well, all the things I talk about in this podcast! Mental health, grief and loss, self improvement, mindfulness/meditation, and also psychology and neuroscience. I’d love to know what books you’d recommend to me on these topics! Please let me know in the comments or via emai...

In this week’s podcast I explore the superstition of jinxing and the rituals used to counteract it like knocking on wood, reduce anxiety about negative outcomes by creating a sense of pushing away bad luck. I also talk about the impact of jinx beliefs on self-expectations and performance along with strategies to manage this. Thanks for listening to Dose of Wonder! Subscribe for free to receive new...

In this week’s podcast I discuss the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects on mental health and social interactions. I talk about the anxieties surrounding close contact, mask-wearing, and sanitization, questioning whether a return to "normal" is possible or even desirable. I also talk about advice for building resilience using strategies from Psychology Today, em...

In this week’s podcast I explore the philosophy of Amor Fati or loving one’s fate, drawing on Nietzsche and Stoicism. The concept involves accepting both positive and negative life experiences and finding meaning and growth in all events. I argue that while we can’t control everything, we can control our reactions which fosters self acceptance and resilience. I end with urging listeners to embrace...

In this week’s podcast I explore the positive aspects that emerged from the challenging Pandemic years of 2020 til about 2023. Despite the hardships caused by the pandemic and other global issues, I identify silver linings: appreciating our homes, the unexpected benefits of mask-wearing, the importance of human connection, nature's solace, and the value of online interactions, and I encourage list...

In this week’s podcast I question the pervasive "self-improvement" culture, arguing that constant striving for progress isn't always healthy or necessary. I was inspired by a statement by one of the fitness instructor's on my Peloton app about progress and I contrast it with the idea of contentment and acceptance of one's current state. This podcast prompts listeners to consider the pressures of t...

In this week’s podcast I reflect on the pandemic's impact on my life and mental health. I discuss both positive changes, such as increased gratitude, and negative ones, including weight gain and grief from the loss of loved ones. I emphasize the pervasive stress and uncertainty caused by the pandemic and its effect on mental well-being and share personal experiences and encourages listeners to ack...

This week’s podcast explores the Buddhist concept of impermanence, based on my Medium article on the subject. I talk about how understanding its implications—that everything is temporary—can alleviate the fear of death and encourage a fuller appreciation for life. I also talk about things like the similar concept of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese aesthetic emphasizing the beauty of imperfection and imperma...

In this week’s podcast I discuss the impact of grief on the brain, drawing from personal experience and research. I talk about forgetting the date of my mom’s birthday years after her death, illustrating how grief affects memory and cognitive function and explain that grief can cause disorientation, brain fog, and difficulties with concentration and simple tasks. This is the brain's way of protect...

This week’s podcast outlines eight personal mantras I used to maintain mental well-being during 2020-2021. Four are Stoic virtues: courage, wisdom, moderation, and justice. Four are the Brahmaviharas from Buddhism: compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity, and sympathetic joy and I explain how each concept helped me cope with challenging times, emphasizing their practical application in daily life....

This week’s podcast talks about performing random acts of kindness to improve mental well-being. It connects kindness with positive psychology principles, highlighting the ten positive emotions—joy, serenity, gratitude, etc.—that such acts can cultivate. I also emphasize the role of character strengths, another key aspect of positive psychology in finding meaning and purpose, ultimately leading to...

This week’s podcast highlights the different chronotypes—lion, bear, wolf, and dolphin—and their impact on daily life. I talk about my personal experience with my husband's contrasting sleep schedule and seeks advice from listeners facing similar situations. The overall theme centres on the difficulties and potential solutions for couples with differing chronotypes. References Does The Early Bird...

In this weeks episode I dive into drama both in real life and online - defining dramatic personality traits and talking about the online phenomenon of ‘flouncing’ - dramatically existing online spaces. I also talk about different strategies to help manage the impact of people who have a need for drama, focusing on mindfulness and emotional regulation. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and su...

This week’s podcast talks about coping mechanisms for tragedy and trauma through exploring the loss of a fellow author I knew online and offering advice on processing tragedy focusing on emotional responses and self care practices, and also via a university health website that outlines symptoms and more coping strategies and the importance of self care. REFERENCES https://medium.com/mindful-mental...