<p>Is "toxic positivity" ruining your mental health? In this episode, we speak to former UK government Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr. Alex George, and psychotherapist and author Anna Mathur to dismantle the pressure to be happy all the time and explore the science of finding joy in the small things.</p><br><p>We discuss the difference between dopamine hits and true happiness, why we wear "masks" to hide depression, and the biology behind stress and joy. Plus, Dr. Alex and Anna share actionable tools - like Alex’s brilliantly simple “2 minute rule” and cognitive reframing techniques - to help you build mental fitness, manage ADHD, and combat loneliness.</p><br><p>More from Well Enough:&nbsp;</p><p>Follow Well Enough on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wellenough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>Follow Emilie on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilielaviniauk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Subscribe to the Well Enough newsletter <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/health-and-fitness/well-enough-newsletter-emilie-lavinia-b2818570.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><br><p>Timecodes</p><p>00:00 The Role of Negative Emotions</p><p>00:51 Is Happiness Just Hormones?</p><p>01:29 Why Stress Blocks Joy (Fight or Flight)</p><p>02:14 Cortisol vs Serotonin</p><p>02:52 Dopamine Hits vs True Joy</p><p>03:41 The Dangers of Toxic Positivity</p><p>04:08 Depression and Wearing the "Mask"</p><p>05:27 Dr. Alex on ADHD &amp; Vulnerability</p><p>06:55 Antidepressants and Breaking Stigma</p><p>08:05 The Loneliness of Hiding Feelings</p><p>09:28 Men's Mental Health &amp; Fear of Abandonment</p><p>11:42 Mental Fitness vs. Mental Illness</p><p>13:43 Childhood Trauma &amp; Suppressing Emotions</p><p>16:47 Neuroplasticity: Can We Rewire Our Brains?</p><p>18:32 Motivation vs. Discipline</p><p>19:55 Overcoming Self-Sabotage</p><p>22:26 Letting Go of Perfectionism</p><p>24:17 Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic</p><p>27:32 Decision Fatigue &amp; Social Media Burnout</p><p>28:44 The Problem with Gratitude (And How to Fix It)</p><p>33:14 The 2-Minute Rule (ADHD Hack)</p><p>34:55 How to Build Healthy Habits (The Snowball Effect)</p><p>36:26 Reframing: "I Have To" vs. "I Get To"</p><p>39:20 Wellness Non-Negotiables: Rest &amp; Nature</p><br><p>More from today’s guests:</p><p>Dr Alex’s new book ‘Happy Habits’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Habits-Steps-Build-Life/dp/0241771463</p><p>Anna’s new book ‘The Good Decision Diary’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Decision-Diary-making-decisions/dp/0241707226</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Well Enough

The Independent

Dr Alex George & Psychotherapist Anna Mathur: How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness

DEC 5, 202543 MIN
Well Enough

Dr Alex George & Psychotherapist Anna Mathur: How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness

DEC 5, 202543 MIN

Description

<p>Is "toxic positivity" ruining your mental health? In this episode, we speak to former UK government Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr. Alex George, and psychotherapist and author Anna Mathur to dismantle the pressure to be happy all the time and explore the science of finding joy in the small things.</p><br><p>We discuss the difference between dopamine hits and true happiness, why we wear "masks" to hide depression, and the biology behind stress and joy. Plus, Dr. Alex and Anna share actionable tools - like Alex’s brilliantly simple “2 minute rule” and cognitive reframing techniques - to help you build mental fitness, manage ADHD, and combat loneliness.</p><br><p>More from Well Enough:&nbsp;</p><p>Follow Well Enough on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wellenough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>Follow Emilie on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilielaviniauk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Subscribe to the Well Enough newsletter <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/health-and-fitness/well-enough-newsletter-emilie-lavinia-b2818570.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><br><p>Timecodes</p><p>00:00 The Role of Negative Emotions</p><p>00:51 Is Happiness Just Hormones?</p><p>01:29 Why Stress Blocks Joy (Fight or Flight)</p><p>02:14 Cortisol vs Serotonin</p><p>02:52 Dopamine Hits vs True Joy</p><p>03:41 The Dangers of Toxic Positivity</p><p>04:08 Depression and Wearing the "Mask"</p><p>05:27 Dr. Alex on ADHD &amp; Vulnerability</p><p>06:55 Antidepressants and Breaking Stigma</p><p>08:05 The Loneliness of Hiding Feelings</p><p>09:28 Men's Mental Health &amp; Fear of Abandonment</p><p>11:42 Mental Fitness vs. Mental Illness</p><p>13:43 Childhood Trauma &amp; Suppressing Emotions</p><p>16:47 Neuroplasticity: Can We Rewire Our Brains?</p><p>18:32 Motivation vs. Discipline</p><p>19:55 Overcoming Self-Sabotage</p><p>22:26 Letting Go of Perfectionism</p><p>24:17 Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic</p><p>27:32 Decision Fatigue &amp; Social Media Burnout</p><p>28:44 The Problem with Gratitude (And How to Fix It)</p><p>33:14 The 2-Minute Rule (ADHD Hack)</p><p>34:55 How to Build Healthy Habits (The Snowball Effect)</p><p>36:26 Reframing: "I Have To" vs. "I Get To"</p><p>39:20 Wellness Non-Negotiables: Rest &amp; Nature</p><br><p>More from today’s guests:</p><p>Dr Alex’s new book ‘Happy Habits’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Habits-Steps-Build-Life/dp/0241771463</p><p>Anna’s new book ‘The Good Decision Diary’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Decision-Diary-making-decisions/dp/0241707226</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>