Tune In to Wellness: Podcasts and Videos That Have Supported My Mental Health
Good mental health and wellness are essential for living a meaningful, fulfilling life. Yet, many of us were never really taught how to cultivate them. That’s why I’m grateful that content on these topics is easily accessible in forms such as podcasts and videos.
It doesn’t matter if one is new to the concept of mental health or further along their wellness journey; podcasts and videos can allow individuals to explore their topic of interest at their own pace. Be it an expert interview, a specific coping strategy, or an honest sharing of personal experiences, I believe that there is something out there for everyone.
Personal Recommendations
Here are some specific episodes and videos that I feel are worth sharing. They have positively impacted my mental health, and I hope that they will do the same for you.
1) Everyday tools for calming anxiety
The YouTube channel Therapy in a Nutshell is run by Emma McAdam, a licensed therapist. She introduced a coping skill called the locus of control, explaining that there are some things in each anxiety-provoking situation that are within one’s control, and some that are out of one’s control.
Why I love it: Every time I feel anxious about something, I tell myself to focus on what I can control and let go of what I cannot. McAdam feels like the caring aunt I wished I had, so it’s no surprise that her sharing left a lasting impression. Her channel also covers many other coping strategies, so go check it out if you wish to learn more!
Therapy in a Nutshell YouTube Channel
2) Becoming a better human
Recently, Chris Williamson from the podcast Modern Wisdom interviewed the prolific author Alain de Botton on “how to fix negative patterns”. Though the episode was titled as such, it covered much more than that and provided a raw dissection of what it really means to be human.
Why I love it: De Botton reminded me that it’s human to be a bit of an idiot, that we should be kind to everyone, including ourselves, and not take ourselves too seriously. I have listened to the entire episode twice now and will likely revisit it again in the future.
On the aptly named podcast How To Be A Better Human, clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy shared her insights with host Chris Duffy on how to build better relationships. The episode highlighted the importance of repairing ruptures and offered advice on improving parent-child relationships—advice that arguably can also be applied to interactions with adults.
Why I love it: Dr. Kennedy gave me the courage to own up to mistakes and repair the ruptures I’ve caused. I’ve learnt to forgive myself in those moments, applying her parenting advice to my inner child and remembering that I’m a ‘good kid having a hard time’. If you are looking to improve your relational skills, this episode is for you.
How To Be A Better Human Podcast
3) Expressing your needs effectively
Alejandra Siroka is a communication coach on the Language Alchemy podcast. In Part Four of her five-part series titled Communicating Needs Skilfully, she highlighted four elements that are important to consider when expressing needs: intention, language, values, and attachment to outcome.
Why I love it: Siroka explained that the intention behind expressing a need can show up in my tone of voice and the words I use. This affects the way the message is received. The first step to communicating more effectively is to make my intention known to myself (e.g., Am I open to receiving support, or am I trying to elicit guilt?). Listen to the episode for more examples and helpful insights.
4) Inside the addicted brain
Struthless is a YouTube channel that seeks to entertain with its bright and quirky art. The creative soul in the videos, Campbell Walker, delivers his content with a humorous vibe, even when the topics are anything but. His recent video on alcohol addiction highlighted his arduous journey towards sobriety, and how he eventually prevailed.
Why I love it: Most people might not have a clinical diagnosis of addiction, but I’m sure some of us have habits that we would like to manage, such as doomscrolling. Walker’s video reassured me that everyone can make a positive behaviour change. I truly appreciated his candid sharing and sincere advice to anyone who wants to change for the better.
In a related conversation, American psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke spoke about her addiction to romance novels. Over two episodes on the podcast Hidden Brain, host Shankar Vedantam elicited from Lembke her personal story, scientific facts on the brain, and how modern society has “drugified things that used to be normal and healthy”.
Why I love it: I enjoyed learning about the dopamine system and how it influences my behaviour. Dr. Lembke impressed me by categorising her strategies for controlling behaviour and substance use into three types: time (e.g., avoiding phone before bedtime), space (e.g., using an app blocker) and meaning (e.g., reflecting on why I’m using the phone). Since listening to the episodes, I’m proud to say that I’ve successfully reduced my doomscrolling habit!
5) Healing toxic shame
Heidi Priebe introduces herself as a certified coach with a master’s degree specialising in attachment theory and research. On her YouTube channel, she shared how some people might engage in toxic self-improvement out of shame and self-rejection. She also discussed how toxic shame can lead to limerence, preventing true intimacy in relationships. (Side note: check out fellow writer Ibrahim’s blog post on limerence to learn more about it.)
Why I love it: Priebe helped me to understand how toxic shame shows up in my life and relationships. One of her suggested antidotes, the concept of ‘self-neutrality’, helped me to heal by seeing that I am no better or worse than others. During any difficult experience that I shame myself for and want to hide away from, I can instead choose to embrace the discomfort and show up as I am—a normal human being with feelings and needs, just like everybody else.
Honourable mentions
1) Voices you need to hear
YouTube channels OGS and CNA have videos of individuals with mental health conditions. Among these are an interview with a person living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a documentary of another living with body dysmorphic disorder.
Why I love it: Other than helping me to understand different mental health conditions, these individuals also taught me about resilience, empathy, as well as the importance of having a good support system during recovery. Both channels also provide a variety of fascinating content within and outside the realm of mental health.
OGS YouTube Channel CNA Insider YouTube Channel
2) Insights from a mental health institution in Singapore
Mindful Dialogues is a series produced by the Institute of Mental Health in Singapore. It covers mental health issues faced by people in Singapore. Their first episode on workplace disclosure is particularly informative for those wondering how they can discuss mental health at work.
Why I love it: Perhaps it’s because the series only releases a few episodes a year, but I find the topics to be quite thoughtfully chosen. In addition, I like that the series is produced in Singapore, thus making the discussions more relatable for people in Asian communities.
In Summary
There is no single “right” way to tune in to podcasts and videos. Feel free to experiment and discover what works best for you.
However, it’s important to note that information from podcasts and videos are not substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individuals who require specific and individualised support to manage their conditions should consult with a qualified mental health professional.
As you explore the vast universe of podcasts and videos, be sure to take breaks and also pay attention to what interests you beyond the realm of mental health. It could be a podcast on excelling at work, a channel featuring the daily life of an American/Japanese couple living in Japan, or even a fitness channel with wholesome coffee chats. Who knows, you might chance upon some content that could inspire and support you in ways that you never expect!
Disclaimer: Calm Collective Asia does not officially endorse any of the podcasts or videos listed above. These recommendations are solely based on the writer’s personal opinions.
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