The Happier Life Project

This week, we're revisiting one of our most powerful conversations from the first season of the podcast, back when we were known as My Possible Self. January is often considered the most depressing month of the year—cold, dark, and weighed down by the emotional and financial fallout of the holidays. But beyond the January blues, this episode takes a broader look at depression, a condition that imp...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Dr. Kelly Vincent, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in supporting women through trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, and imposter syndrome. Together, they explore high-functioning anxiety and how to shake off the relentless pressures of hustle culture. As 2025 begins and many reflect on the...

In this special episode of The Happier Life Project, we’re rebroadcasting a Christmas-themed conversation from two years ago with Joshua Fletcher. A leading psychotherapist, best-selling author, and renowned anxiety expert, Joshua has devoted his career to helping people understand and manage anxiety in all its forms. Chatting with host Gabby Sanderson, Joshua explores the pitfalls of chasing ‘the...

Christmas is often seen as a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it can feel quite the opposite—stressful, lonely, or even overwhelming. According to the National Institute of Health, this season can exacerbate mental health challenges, especially for those already struggling. To help navigate the festive pressures, we revisit a special episode of The Happier Life Project featuring Dr Clair...

To kick off The Happier Life Project’s festive December episodes, host Gabby Sanderson welcomes a very special guest: Jon McClure, frontman of the chart-topping band Reverend and the Makers. In this heartfelt conversation, Jon shares the inspiration behind the band’s poignant Christmas single ‘Late Night Phone Call’ and their decision to partner with The Samaritans for its release. Christmas is of...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we delve into the exhausting pursuit of perfection and its impact on mental health. Perfectionism is a word that gets thrown around a lot; many people proudly claim the label, seeing it as a positive trait. And, at times, it can be—perfectionism can drive ambition, discipline, and high achievement. However, research has consistently linked perfectionism...

Money is more than just a tool for paying bills or buying things, it can be deeply symbolic and emotionally charged. For many, financial struggles are closely intertwined with mental health challenges. Research conducted by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, revealed that in England alone, over 1.5 million people struggle with both problem debt and mental health issues. Of those surveye...

Vitality is the sense of mental and physical freedom; a powerful inner energy that fuels us to live fully and connect deeply. It’s about beginning each day with purpose and feeling a strong sense of belonging with those around us. Often described as “health of spirit,” vitality is the positive feeling of aliveness and energy that lies at the heart of well-being. Living a vital life, filled with pu...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we’re tackling something we all face, how to own our struggles in the areas that challenge us most. From navigating friendships and work pressures to dealing with technology overload, dating dilemmas, and toxic family environments, we cover it all. Host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Minaa B., a licensed social worker, mental health educator, wellness coa...

Cyclical living is the practice of aligning with the natural cycles and rhythms present in our lives, whether it’s the seasons, the Moon, your menstrual cycle, or your circadian rhythm. It can also apply to how we approach projects, meetings, or plan activities at work.  Everything in our environment and bodies operates in cycles—our sleep patterns, hormonal shifts, breathing, and heartbeat. The e...

Our approach to managing time deeply impacts productivity and emotional well-being, shaping the levels of guilt, stress, and satisfaction we experience throughout the day. For those struggling with anxiety and stress, managing time can be particularly challenging. The constant sense of never having enough hours to accomplish goals or complete tasks often leading to feelings of overwhelm and frustr...

Writing provides a safe space to delve into our thoughts and emotions, explore our relationships, and reflect on our life stories, dreams, and aspirations. It serves as a powerful tool for making sense of our experiences, allowing us to navigate and overcome trauma while facilitating personal growth and change. Writing therapy, often referred to as journal therapy, is exactly what it sounds like:...

In the first of two episodes with best-selling author Michelle Thomas, host Gabby Sanderson explores how small, everyday moments can bring joy, healing, and comfort. From the soothing ambiance of coffee shops to the therapeutic calm of spending time with animals, this episode highlights some subtle yet powerful ways to nurture mental wellness. Michelle Thomas’ first book, 'My S**t Therapist and Ot...

Burnout is a deep state of emotional, physical, and mental depletion that stems from prolonged stress, often related to work or overwhelming personal demands. This exhaustion deeply impacts your overall well-being, leading to chronic fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, emotional numbness and feeling unable to cope.  Too many of us soldier on, operating on high levels of stress, pressure...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we explore the powerful connection between climate and mental health, examining how the climate crisis impacts our emotional well-being and the vital role a healthy planet plays in maintaining our mental health. Terms like ‘eco-anxiety,’ ‘environmental doom,’ ‘ecological grief,’ and ‘eco-guilt’ capture the psychological toll that environmental degradati...

Season 3 of The Happier Life Project kicks off with the return of renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author, Owen O’Kane. Known for his transformative books, including ‘Ten to Zen’, ‘Ten Times Happier’, and ‘How to Be Your Own Therapist', Owen shares practical strategies for managing anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges. In this episode, Owen delves into the powerful role of...

Emotional memories imprinted in our bodies can persist for years, impacting our physical and psychological well-being. Emotion tracking allows us to measure and assess our emotional states over time, serving as a valuable tool for both individuals and therapists to monitor mood and feelings. However, when difficult emotions repeatedly resurface, the challenge becomes breaking this cycle, freeing o...

Mindfulness is the natural human ability to be completely present, fully aware of our location and actions, and not excessively reactive or overwhelmed by what’s happening around us.  We all understand mindfulness can result in better mental health, but it can be challenging with the distractions of modern life. The human mind tends to wander and frequently gets lost in thoughts about the past or...

Sometimes it can be difficult to admit we are lonely. Experiencing loneliness from time to time is a normal part of life; but when loneliness is severe, or persists over an extended period, it can have a detrimental impact on our mental health.  Some ways loneliness can be experienced are: emotional loneliness – a lack of emotional attachment to someone like a close friend or partner social loneli...

Long COVID, refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection has been resolved. At least 2 million people in England and Scotland say they are experiencing long COVID, with many reporting their symptoms have lasted two years or longer. The figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) cover the period from November 2023 to...

The gut-brain connection is a two-way communication system between your gut and brain. It’s an intricate network of nerve cells, chemicals, and microbes and explains why your stomach produces juices when you think about food, and why stress can cause stomach cramps or a churning feeling. This connection links your central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, with the enteric nervous system (...

People drink for various reasons: to celebrate, socialize, commiserate, feel more courageous, alleviate boredom, or escape their troubles. Some people may also drink in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of mental ill-health. The interplay between alcohol and mental health is intricate. But depending on alcohol as temporary relief for your mental well-being, can lead to additional problems and res...

Shadow work refers to the psychological and emotional process of exploring and integrating the unconscious parts of the self, often referred to as the "shadow." At its core, shadow work is about discovering what annoys, irritates, saddens, provokes, triggers or puts you on edge, and identifying the underlying causes for why they provoke such strong emotional reactions. It’s also about self-accepta...

In the second episode dedicated to exploring the complexities of modern dating and the ramifications negative experiences can have on our mental and emotional health, The Happier Life Project host Gabby Sanderson has lots more to share from a variety of psychologists and leading dating and relationship experts. In the previous episode, Gabby discussed the emotional turmoil created by love bombers...

The complexities of modern dating can be challenging, and can significantly affect our mental and emotional health... Particularly if we have been on the receiving end of behaviour that is not kind. Terms like ‘love bombing’, ‘breadcrumbs', ‘ghosting' and ‘situationships’ have become so common, they are almost considered as acceptable codes of conduct. But the psychological effects can cause much...