How do we look after our mental health in this challenging time? In this episode, Psychologist Cass Dunn goes back to her area of expertise and breaks down the psychology of human behaviour when there is uncertainty and fear. She explains why we people behave differently in times of uncertainty - from panic buying to spreading conspiracy theories and shares alternative strategies for how we can manage that fear and respond in ways that are more helpful for ourselves and our wider community.
Note: If you’re experiencing mental health issues, Medicare rebates are now available for online psychology appointments. Contact your GP for a referral.
Contact Cass:
hello@cassdunn.com

www.cassdunn.com
instagram.com/cassdunn_xo
facebook.com/cassandradunn.psychologist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coping with COVID - The pandemic of panic

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In this solo episode, Cass discusses the fear of making the wrong decision and the desire for certainty. Cass emphasises the importance of taking action as a way of gaining clarity, as well as the importance of getting comfortable with uncertainty. She also explores the role of the body in decision-making and suggests practicing feeling into what feels right or wrong. Cass encourages listeners to trust themselves and know that they will be okay regardless of the decision they make.
Takeaways

Fear of making the wrong decision often leads to analysis paralysis and indecision.
Taking action, even if it's not the perfect decision, can provide clarity and feedback.
Getting comfortable with uncertainty and accepting that there is no guarantee of making the right decision is key.
Cultivating a sense of safety and trust within oneself is crucial for confident decision-making.
Listening to the body and practicing feeling into what feels right or wrong can help in decision-making.

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Connect with Cass:
www.cassdunn.com
www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo
www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod
www.tiktok.com/@cassdunn__ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to stop second guessing yourself

This week Cass chats with Samantha Skelly, founder and CEO of Pause Breathwork about the power of the breath to reduce stress and anxiety, heal your body, create clarity in your mind and connect with your intuition. Samantha shares her own story of going from skeptic to devoted student of breathwork, to eventually realising her mission to bring breathwork to a wider community.
She's achieving this via the Pause Breathwork App (available for iOS and Android) and the creation of her 6-month long Breathwork Facilitator training.
Find out more about the Pause App and the Pause Breathwork facilitator training at:
www.pausebreathwork.com
Connect with Sam:
www.instagram.com/samanthaskelly
Connect with Cass:
www.cassdunn.com
www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo
www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Healing Power of Breathwork with Samantha Skelly

This week Cass talks with Dr Ann Kelley, licensed psychologist and co-host of the Therapist Uncensored podcast, about the importance of updating our understanding of attachment styles and the limitations of categorising ourselves and others. Ann proposes a more helpful approach of thinking about attachment as a spectrum. She introduces the idea of secure relating (as opposed to secure attachment), which involves understanding our own nervous system and how it impacts our interactions with others. 
Ann introduces the Modern Attachment Regulation Spectrum, helpfully using colours to represent different states of arousal: red for hyperarousal, blue for hypoarousal, and green for secure relating. She shares how our nervous system naturally responds to threats and connection, emphasising the need for self-awareness and compassion in order to create happy, healthy relationships in every area of our lives. She provides practical strategies for warming up or cooling down our nervous system and emphasises the relevance of this in every area of life: friendships, intimate relationships, parenting, work relationships, and the broader community.
Connect with Ann and order your copy of 'Secure Relating':
www.therapistuncensored.com
www.instagram.com/therapist_uncensored_podcast
Connect with Cass:
www.cassdunn.com
www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo
www.cassdunn.com/crappytohappypod
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Key to Successful Relationships with Dr Ann Kelley

Cass responds to a listener who is experiencing body dissatisfaction during pregnancy. She highlights that while this is relatively common, it can be a concern if it contributes to poor maternal mental or physical health. She shares strategies for managing uncomfortable thoughts and feelings about your changing body and the importance of women feeling free to share their experience of any aspect of pregnancy or parenthood without guilt. Importantly, Cass highlights some of the signs of 'Pregorexia' (disordered eating during pregnancy) and notes that professional help may sometimes be indicated. 
Connect with Cass:
www.cassdunn.com
www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo
www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dealing with body dissatisfaction during pregnancy

Cass chats with Victoria Vanstone, host of the Sober Awkward Podcast and creator of the Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy blog and website, about her decision to leave behind her partying days in order to be a happier, less anxious, more present parent by giving up alcohol. Vic admits she didn't like sober people and that she feared no-one would want to be around her anymore if she stopped being the life of every party.
Vic has recently published her first book, "A Thousand Wasted Sundays" and shares how she felt she never had a choice but to drink alcohol, but after becoming a parent, she realised her social, binge drinking was taking more from her than it was giving.
Vic's message is that you don't have to hit 'rock bottom' to question your relationship with alcohol. Better still, there are plenty of good times still to be had. She realises her habit was fueled by people pleasing and a lack of self-care, and she hopes her message will enable other women to see that they also have a choice when it comes to drinking.
Connect with Victoria:
Buy A Thousand Wasted Sundays
Drunk Mummy, Sober Mummy
Connect with Cass:
www.cassdunn.com
www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo OR instagram.com/crappytohappypod
www.tiktok.com/@cassdunn__ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coping with COVID - The pandemic of panic

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