Joy Lab | navigate depression, anxiety, & stress with the science of joy

Are you ready to unlock the transformative magic of solitude? Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the surprising world of solitude and its incredible potential to rejuvenate your spirit and fuel your sense of fun. In our previous episode, we explored the darker sides of isolation and loneliness, but this time, we're shedding light on the positive power of being alone with yourself. So, im...

In this episode, we're diving into a crucial topic that affects so many of us: loneliness and isolation. We're here to guide you through the science, emotions, and strategies to break free from these barriers. You'll tap into the heart of human connection and come away with some tips on how to embrace the joy of meaningful interactions and relationships. Key bits from this episode include:   Lonel...

How'd I get so lonely? How'd I get to this place... feeling alone? These aren't uncommon questions that pop up. In this episode, Aimee highlights a common pathway for how we might fall into loneliness or a sense of disconnection or separation. Putting a light on this pathway can help us realize what can often go unseen, unconsciously for so long. And once we see it, we can do something about it.  ...

Are you feeling like the playful YOU that once existed has fallen away? Or maybe you've watched other people move through their day with a fun spirit that you wish you could tap into? You're not alone. When adult-ing gets tough, fun usually takes a back seat (like way in the back). Problem is, squashing that playful or fun aspect of yourself can also squash the creative, inspired, energetic, and c...

Fun rarely gets attention when it comes to mental health. And that's a huge oversight, because fun (or play) is a really powerful concept when it comes to good mental health. And, when we're dealing with something like depression, infusing more fun or play into our day can be a really potent support to help us feel a bit better. Of course, there are obstacles that can block our fun. In this episod...

In this episode, we're exploring our seventh and final aspect of deep listening which is "silence." Ironically, silence is a powerful practice to help open up more deep conversation. It's a surprising tool that can uncover wisdom and healing. It's a powerful aspect of deep listening that you can practice and use more skillfully in conversation with others and yourself.      Links and Sources: Resi...

In this episode, we're exploring the sixth aspect of deep listening which is "wonder." As it relates to listening, this aspect helps us keep our curiosity and awe focused on the wellbeing of the person speaking. With this aspect, we can ask questions that help   illuminate the truth for another. Using this aspect of deep listening in conversation is surprisingly powerful; for the speaker and the l...

In this episode, we're exploring our element of awe alongside the fifth aspect of deep listening which is "allowing." When it comes to listening, allowing reminds us that we can't be pressured into speaking our truth. We must be allowed to do so. We can do this for ourselves and for other by creating the space that feels safe, spacious, and unhurried. We'll get into some key obstacles that come wi...

In this episode, we're exploring our element of curiosity alongside the fourth aspect of deep listening which is "seeing the goodness in others." And even though this aspect may sound subtle, the impact is profound. Not only does "seeing the goodness in others" support our own deep listening, but it feeds how we see ourselves, and the way we see the world. Links and Sources: Resilient Community  ...

In this episode, we're exploring our element of curiosity alongside the third aspect of deep listening which is "seeing the person's innocence." This can be a tough aspect considering what may be a more common tendency to listen with the lens of  "seeing the other person's problem" or "seeing the person's solution." Problem is, those lenses make it nearly impossible to listen well. We'll talk abou...

We're working on "Attention" in this episode, the second aspect of deep listening and also a skill that boosts our curiosity. So, how do attention, listening, curiosity, and mental health relate? Well, they're all skills and areas of our wellbeing that can be improved with practice. Listen in for how to direct your attention and curiosity where you want it and in ways that enhance your mood, calm...

In this episode, we're exploring our element of Curiosity and the power of presence. Presence is the first of those aspects of deep listening that we noted last episode. And we get it, "being present" can sometimes come off like a cliche, but it's really more than just a hashtag or a title of a self-help book. Tapping into your ability to be more present is a learnable skill that gives you a super...

In this episode, we're exploring our element Curiosity. We'll talk about using curiosity to reduce anxiety and at the same time how more curious folks can swing toward anxiety. That all may seem like a paradox, but there's a sweet spot in there where we can strengthen our curiosity in ways that feel nourishing and fuel our joy. We'll also touch on the seven aspects of deep listening that can be us...

In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm ). We're talking about the seventh and final root, "Creating Deep Connections" and how those connections are essential for our resilience and hope. And fear not, introverts. This root doesn't mean you need t...

In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm ). We're talking about the sixth root, "Cultivating a Good Heart." What does this have to do with mental health?! A lot actually. We're not just a brain wandering around all alone. We're more than that. And...

In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm ). We're talking about the fifth root, "Turning Toward the Feeling." Specifically, those uncomfortable ones that we may want to run from or push down. Instead, if we want those feelings to move through us (a...

As you may know, we're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm ). In this episode, we're working on our fourth root, "Calming the Mind." We'll hit on some key insights and strategies that include: Realizing we're thinking and that many of our thoughts are false, embracing the skill of learned optimism, stepping into the role of o...

In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! As you may know, we're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm ). We're adding this element of Hope because working on our resilience skills is something that can actually feed hope, which then boosts our resilience… which then fuels our hope. It's the...

In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience and exploring the third "Root of Resilience" known as aligning with nature . The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." This root builds on our last one ("managing energy") by embracing the cycles and rhythms that are part of a much bigger system. This may seem "woo-woo," but.. well, it's not...

In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience and exploring the second  Root of Resilience known as managing energy . The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." We'll work through this foundational aspect of resilience, focusing on how we can keep our resilience tank more full by returning to our natural rhythms of rest and activity to h...

In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience and exploring the first "Root of Resilience" known as balancing brain chemistry. The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." We'll work through this foundational aspect of resilience, focusing on how we can use diet, supplements, and medications to balance brain chemistry. We'll also look at w...

In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience. And even if you feel the opposite of resilient right now, we'll discuss more about how each of us is wired for this element. We are naturally resilient and can uncover and build up this element-- no matter what. This is also the first part of our "Roots of Resilience" series. The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons boo...

In this episode, we're in the final part of our five-part series on equanimity. In this series, we've worked through this process of an emotional storm and how we can use equanimity to get us through with less suffering. In this episode, we're walking out of our house to assess what may be some damage after the storm. This phase of the storm can be hard to face, but it can actually be the easiest...

In this episode, we're in the fourth part of our five-part series on equanimity. This episode is quite a bit different than the last two where we worked with the internal dynamics of an emotional storm and how equanimity can come in to tame the winds. Now, we'll look at how this process can expand outside ourselves. We're probably all familiar with this phase as well: we say or do things out of su...

In this episode, we're in the third part of our five-part series on equanimity. In last episode, we faced the beginning of an emotional storm. Now, the storm is whipping up more, enough to incite that common hurricane called "why me"… also known as getting caught up in our story line. The problem here is that the stories we tell ourselves are rarely helpful or accurate. Or as therapist Lori Gottli...