Thinking Habits Podcast

This week's episode started as a chat with our friend Claire about Exercise and Mental health. Claire is a recently qualified personal trainer - we discuss how she came to that decision and the effect that exercise has on mental health in general. It's quite a long podcast but it's worth it, lots of great insights into physical training, Pregnancy, Post-Natal Depression, tiny squash racquets and underwater hockey. Nope, I didn't know that was a thing either!  I love how this episode flows into other connected topics; it highlights how broad the conversation needs to be if we're going to truly bring mental health issues to the fore.  Here are the links to the topics we discussed: [The British Octopush Association](https://www.gbuwh.co.uk) [MummyFit](https://www.mummyfit.co.uk) [RCPsych Advice on MH and Exercise](https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/treatments/physicalactivity.aspx) A blog about [MH and sport](https:/www.superprof.us/blog/benefits-of-fitness-training/), particularly the benefits of Fitness training. This is going to be the first of many episodes on the subject; I have one lined up for the next few weeks and it's something that I feel needs some real attention. It's certainly not a one-size-fits-all but that's the beauty of it - there's something for everyone.   Enjoy! As ever, [email protected] is the email for questions, comments and suggestions. #keeptalking Simon

Slightly late today as we conveniently slept in, today's episode is about sleep hygiene. I love sleep, and Pam has been basically awake since 2009\. We discuss some advice for maintaining good sleep hygiene, whilst deftly skirting around the fact that we ignore most of it most of the time.  We also discuss some recent stories in the news about mental health in sport - while uploading the episode I've found even more, it really does seem like the conversation is getting louder and more widespread which is great. Content warning for OCD, depression, intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation, please listen with care if you are affected. As promised, here is a link to the [National Sleep Foundation](https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/sleep-hygiene), and the interviews we talked about:  [Luke Jackson](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/45190150) talking about OCD,  [Everton in the Community](http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2018/08/07/everton-launches-campaign-to-build-mental-health-centre) A great [Bodyscan Meditation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15q-N-_kkrU) by John Kabat-Zinn, who we will discuss soon. Questions, comments and suggestions always welcome, and please send in your stories of exercise and Mental Health! [email protected] #keeptalking Simon & Pamela

In this episode we scratch the surface of the rapidly-evolving use of CBD in the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression and other symptoms & conditions. Whilst the science is not yet nailed down, there's certainly some anecdotal evidence to suggest that cannabin…. cabbinid…. cabinib…. CBD has a positive effect for many who choose to take it. There's no in depth research here yet, more of a finger-im-the-air to establish what we do/don't know before diving in. We also look at our first listener questions! Exciting! Thanks again to Nick for your suggestions, which led us down some rabbit holes which we will doubtless revisit in later episodes. Comments, questions, feedback always welcome! #keeptalking Simon & Pamela

This was an absolutely fascinating chat - it chimed with me on a number of different levels and it could have been an hour longer if I'm honest. Carl is a newly qualified counsellor. We talk about the process of his qualification and the journey he took to get there.  Content warning: We do talk about suicidal ideation and self harm in this episode, please bear this in mind when listening.  Thanks as ever for listening, please do get in touch if you have any questions, comments or feedback. Next week will contain our first listener questions!

Recorded on a day when everything melted, the conversation was naturally about how the heat can affect you when you have a Chronic Illness. Coping with extremes of temperature can be trying when you're perfectly well, but when you're low on energy/strength/spoons* it can prove extra difficult. We also discuss pain management options, and delve into the labyrinth that is Pam's medication regime.  Here are the links to [Spoon Theory](https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/), [EDS](https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/), [TENS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation) and the [MS Society](https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/resources-and-publications/publications-search/hot-and-cold-temperature-and-ms#) info on coping with the heat.  Stay cool and #keeptalking ! Simon & Pam

Today's chat was one that we've been trying to organise for a little while around shifts and such - I'm so glad we did as it's great. Katie ([@katie_astrophe](http://www.instagram.com/katie_astrophe)) is an RMN who has been living with ADHD since childhood. The discussion covers how this affects everyday life, study and through to employment. This is going to be one of a number of chapters as there's lots more to cover! Many thanks to Katie for spending some time talking in between night shifts, it's very much appreciated. And thanks to Amber the Cat for the input! Also mentioned is Louisa Hammond's incredible MA artwork Mental Health Perspectives which really needs to be seen. Follow [@louisa_hammond](http://www.instagram.com/louisa_hammond) on instagram for more info. #keeptalking Simon

Guilt and shame go together like Sonic and Tails. Like Mario and Luigi. Like Crash Bandicoot and that floaty Aku Aku mask that gave you extra stuff.The point is, they are closely linked and we talk about them both today.  We go through a number of different types of guilt and how these can affect your behaviour and your social interactions. A really interesting chat today, it's a topic I feel confident in talking about as it runs through me like an irritating coal seam.  In this episode we talk about Gaslighting, so please bear that in mind if this is a trigger for you.  Here are a few links which we used in the episode: [Counselling Directory](https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellor-articles/understanding-guilt-shame) [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/201104/shame-concealed-contagious-and-dangerous-emotion) [PsychCentral](https://psychcentral.com/blog/understanding-the-cycle-of-guilt/) As always please feel free to comment via email [email protected] or via the socials @thinkinghabits #Keeptalking Simon & Pamela

Brought to you through the fog of excruciating lower back pain* and fuelled by analgesics, today's episode is an interesting discussion about how we can Reset in everyday life. Be it a daily action to clear your mind of the stresses of work, or a full-tilt reboot to change careers, a reset can be valuable, frightening and exciting.  Pamela and I discuss examples of where we've employed this either by choice or by circumstance, how this has affected our mental health and where we find ourselves on the cusp of another opportunity to press the big red button.  Lift with your knees, kids!  #keeptalking Simon & Pamela

In a change to the planned episode, today's is a recumbent bedcast, because we can. I always planned to have my wife Pamela as a regular guest on the podcast as there is much we can discuss together in the arena; in particular it's a privilege to have her talk about her experience with MS and mental health. Great fun doing this episode! I think we'll record more joint podcasts in the future, I hope that you find some common ground in this one, even if MS ins't specific to you.  Sound levels peak a bit at the start, apologies for that - they settle down a few minutes in.  Links as mentioned: [The Mighty](http://www.themighty.com)  - in particular articles [here](https://themighty.com/2016/10/prioritizing-mental-health-as-someone-with-multiple-sclerosis/?utm_source=newsletter_chronic_illness&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_chronic_illness_2018-06-27) and [here](https://themighty.com/2018/05/chronic-illness-mental-health-signs/?utm_source=newsletter_chronic_illness&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_chronic_illness_2018-06-27) for starters [MS Society](http://www.mssociety.org.uk) Thanks again and #keeptalking Simon (& Pamela!)

When David messaged me to tell me he had something he wanted to discuss on the podcast, I knew it would be a powerful, emotional episode. I am humbled and proud to be the vehicle for David's message. It will be a difficult listen for some; there are several content warnings (rape, LGBTQIA+ issues, HIV, trauma/PTSD, language) so please listen with care if you are affected by any of this content. Whilst this episode is not themed as previous ones, it epitomises the aim of the podcast - to allow a safe space for conversations to be had when people feel ready to do so. As I mention in the podcast, [David's Website](https://writtenisforgotten.wordpress.com/) is here which carries with it the same content warnings as above. Support sites here: [RSVP](https://rsvporg.co.uk/services/lgbt-advocacy/) [Survivors Manchester](http://www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk/) [Rape Crisis](https://rapecrisis.org.uk/supportformenboys.php) Here are the EP05 [Citations](http://www.thinkinghabits.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EP05-Citations.txt) I reference in the episode also.  Thank you, and #keeptalking Simon