Dr. Olivia Remes, mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge, discusses how to overcome common moods like panic and procrastination. She explores the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the influence of habits on mood, and finding growth in difficult situations. They also talk about the increase in loneliness, cultivating optimism, and provide tips for tackling tasks.
Confidence and extroversion can be learned skills that can be developed through practice.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, with widespread anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness.
By practicing new habits and coping strategies, individuals can overcome a range of negative thought patterns and bad moods.
Deep dives
The Power of Cultivating Skills for Confidence and Extroversion
The podcast discusses the importance of recognizing that confidence and extroversion are not inherent traits but skills that can be developed with practice. The guest, Dr. Olivia Reams, emphasizes the need to overcome common everyday moods and develop confidence through skill development and practice.
The Tremendous Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health
Dr. Olivia Reams highlights the significant impact the pandemic has had on mental health, with widespread anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. She acknowledges the optimism arising from the easing of restrictions but emphasizes that mental health effects are still prevalent.
Identifying and Overcoming Negative Thought Patterns
Dr. Olivia Reams discusses her research on identifying 10 different thought patterns or bad moods that hold people back. By exploring coping strategies and practicing new habits, individuals can overcome indecisiveness, feeling unmotivated, overwhelm, loneliness, feeling low, feeling out of control, stress, anxiety, rejection, and feeling let down.
Cultivating Optimism and Overcoming Procrastination
The podcast reveals the importance of cultivating optimism as a tool for overcoming anxiety and stress. Dr. Olivia Reams encourages individuals to practice optimism and appreciate the silver lining in challenging situations. Additionally, she provides tips for overcoming procrastination, suggesting that starting imperfectly and focusing on small steps can lead to long-term success.
The Role of Faith, Hope, and Meaning in Difficult Times
Dr. Olivia Reams explains how spirituality, faith, and hope can provide support and comfort during challenging times. She highlights the importance of finding meaning in difficult situations and looking for the silver linings despite the pain and suffering. The podcast emphasizes the power of surrendering, finding gratitude, and cultivating a positive mindset to navigate through tough moments.
Panic, indecisiveness, procrastination – all common, every day moods that can frustrate, and even paralyse, our ability to move forward. Dr Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge, wants to help you overcome these moods so that you can really thrive.
In this chat with Fearne, she explains how characteristics like confidence and charisma can be learned, how to make new healthy habits stick, and how real personal growth can come from the most painful of situations.
Olivia’s book, The Instant Mood Fix, is published by Happy Place books. It’s perfect for dipping in and out of during those moments when you need it most, and is available to buy now at bookshop.org.
Thanks to Stripe and Stare for sponsoring this series of Happy Place. Use the code HP20 when you make your purchase at stripeandstare.com for a 20% discount.