The No Bullsh*t Guide to a Happier Life

Welcome to episode 49. If you're self-employed you'll be only too aware of the responsibility that comes with being your own boss, but do you feel comfortable with the level of authority you hold over yourself as a business owner? Do you feel the need to follow a set of prescribed rules in order to be 'good' or have you thrown the rule book out of the window? In today's episode I explore these two...

Welcome to episode 48. This week I'm talking about sex, intimacy and the awakening that can come from being your own lover. What stories have you told yourself since you became an adult? What messages were you given growing up? Shame, embarrassment and a sense of being un-entitled to our own sensual pleasure has plagued many of us from an early age, shutting the door on our relationship with ourse...

Welcome to episode 47. Our relationship with ourselves can be looked at from many angles. In this episode I'm exploring the benefits that can come from consciously deciding to parent ourselves in a way that nurtures our wellbeing and supports us wholly as the people we are. Let's take a closer look at our experiences as a child, good or bad, and how we can adapt or adopt these to have the best pos...

Welcome to the episode 46! ''I choose me as my friend and I am enough''. This level of self-acceptance can take a lifetime to achieve, but I believe that with the right amount of positive self-talk, kindness and encouragement we can all become our own best friend. And what a great place to start when we decide to open our hearts to others! In this episode I talk about the importance of showing up...

Welcome to episode 45 of The No Bullshit Guide to a Happier Life podcast! Season three is promising to be a journey of self-discovery, so hold on tight and let's get stuck in! Taking time to stop and hold our own gaze long enough for our true feelings to rise up is no easy task, and something I bet many of us (myself included) would avoid whenever possible. But in today's episode I'm challenging y...

Welcome to episode 44 and the final episode of series 2. Today I reflect on the themes and topics of the past two series – the ground we have covered so far and the key lessons we have learned along the way. I then set the scene for the focus of series three: The relationship we have with ourselves. This is going to be a juicy one, so make sure you tune in! In this episode: Setting the scene for s...

Welcome to episode 43. Today I am talking about the wonderful Scandinavian concept of Hygge. For the winter months (with the welcome addition of cosy blankets, socks and candles) we often embrace Hygge a physical feeling of warmth and comfort, but it goes a bit deeper than that. In this episode I explore the positive benefits of creating this cosy environment for ourselves and our loved ones, and...

Welcome to episode 42. The benefits of adopting a plant-based diet are promoted all around us these days, so how can we incorporate these changes into our toolkit for a happier life and what difference can they really make? In today's episode I'm highlighting the many benefits of reducing our intake of meat and animal products – both for our health and the health of our planet, and how we can all...

Welcome to episode 41. Today I am talking all about social connection and why it takes up such an important space in our happier life toolkit. Do we take it for granted? If you were to suddenly loose your ability to connect with your friends or community, how would you feel? Having and maintaining regular contact with the right people floods our brains with oxytocin (aka the love hormone). It help...

Welcome to episode 40. What is gratitude practice and how can it contribute to a happier life? My opinions on gratitude have changed over the years, so I'm especially excited to share my perspective with you in this episode. Here I explore the different ways we can view and record gratitude, and how we can use the observations to find balance in our often-challenging lives. Join me for tips and su...

Welcome to episode 39. Are you ready to go a bit deeper? This week I'm exploring three specific activities that can help you to dive deep below the surface of your busy mind, to help quieten the racing thoughts and find a deeper level of relaxation and release. These activities are Yoga Nidra, Floating and hypnosis. In this episode I explore my experience with each, explaining the many wonderful b...

Welcome to episode 38. Today I'm talking about how pleasure, both sexual and non-sexual, fits into your toolkit for a happier life - and there's a lot to dismantle, especially when it comes to sex. Ideas around pleasure being something we should all be entitled to is something I strongly uphold, but indulging ourselves to numb pain and ignore the bigger issues can throw up some red flags. Join me...

Welcome to episode 37. Are you getting out into nature enough? We can often overlook the importance of spending time outdoors, but by taking the time to spend 'quality' time in nature we give ourselves time to slow down and appreciate the world around us. In this episode I share my experiences of a week spent walking and running to get my outdoor fix, and I try forest bathing for the first time. J...

Welcome to episode 36. What feelings arise for you around the subject of cooking? I've found it to be one of those very polarising topics, and I am at the uncomfortable end of the spectrum for sure! The value judgements we put upon ourselves around food and feeding our loved ones can be so ingrained that we miss out on the rich opportunities cooking can bring for creativity and self-care. In this...

Welcome to episode 35. In today's episode I'm talking about yoga. I have never committed to a weekly class, BUT it is an activity that I partake in frequently on my own terms and at my own pace, and this works really well for me. In this episode I illustrate how beneficial yoga can be to release tension, strengthen your body and give you the headspace you may desperately need to live a happier lif...

Welcome to episode 34. In today's episode I'm exploring the ideas and beliefs around creativity. What does creativity mean to you? For many people, taking part in a creative activity gives us an opportunity to let go of negative emotions and release tension that can build up in our minds and bodies. By throwing out the idea you need to be good at something to be creative can free us up to explore...

Welcome to episode 33. We could all do with a few extra hours each day, so what happens when you claim that time intentionally and make a commitment to starting your day at 5am? For this episode I spent a week in the 5am club to test out the impact of getting up early each day on my wellbeing, my productivity and my mindset. Listen in for my honest review of this practice and see if it might work...

Welcome to episode 32. It's easy to lose sight of how important our own well-being is, especially with life as hectic as it is, so in this episode I'm rounding up a quick reminder of why these tools are so important, and how they benefit not only ourselves but the people closest to us. In this episode: Practical advice on how to plan your time to allow you meet your needs. Why taking small steps o...

Welcome to episode 31. What is stillness and how can it benefit us in our busy lives? I spent a week practicing short sessions of complete stillness for this episode - a few minutes each morning or evening to sit and purposefully do nothing. The results were positive in a way I couldn't have predicted, so tune in to find out why it's been so beneficial for me; the positive effects it has had on my...

Welcome to episode 30. Today we are talking about one of my all-time favourite things – massage! Known for its many stress-relieving benefits, massage is a firm favourite in my toolkit. In today's episode I ask the question; should massage be enjoyed as an occasional treat or should it be an act of basic personal maintenance? Tune in for my thoughts, experiences and recommendations on massage and...

Welcome to episode 29. Do you ever shy away from an activity or situation because of a specific fear or discomfort? What if facing this fear could bring benefits to your health and well-being in new and enriching ways? Could you give it a try? In this episode I share my journey of confronting two big fears in my life and how learning to sit with the discomfort has strengthened my mindset and allow...

Welcome to episode 28. Today I'm delving into the practice of journaling. If you're looking for an easily accessible, highly effective and budget-friendly tool for your happiness toolkit, journaling could be for you! Grab yourself a notebook, a cup of tea and a nice pen and give it a try. In this episode I share my experience of writing a journal (something I've done for a while now) and the benef...

Welcome to episode 27. For me, getting into weight training has had a huge impact on my physical strength but most importantly, it's massively strengthened my mental health too. Join me for this episode as I explore the many benefits weight training can have on your body and your mind; the misconceptions (i.e Bullsh*t) people have around women who practice it and the mindset blocks that might be h...

Welcome to episode 26. Today I am exploring the benefits of Laughter Yoga! Tuning in to the many benefits on offer, I gave Laughter Yoga a go under the expert instruction of Sara Kay, yoga teacher at Serious Laughter . In this episode I share my experience of taking part in an online session and explore how the benefits of simulated and natural laughter, coupled with focused, deep yogic breathing...

Welcome to episode 25 and my first episode in this new series where I focus on the different tools available to us as part of our 'tool kit' for living a happier life. Today I'm talking about meditation. I hear many people say they are 'too busy' or 'too hectic' to sit and meditate for ten minutes – and as a fast-paced person myself I can totally relate! But that admission alone can be the biggest...