Are you feeling like the playful YOU that once existed has fallen away? Or maybe you've watched other people move through their day with a fun spirit that you wish you could tap into? You're not alone. When adult-ing gets tough, fun usually takes a back seat (like way in the back). Problem is, squashing that playful or fun aspect of yourself can also squash the creative, inspired, energetic, and curious elements of you as well. The truth is, your playful self is a surprisingly powerful element of your mental health. This guided meditation with music will help you tap into that aspect of yourself so that you can bring it back into your daily life. Links and Sources: <ul> <li><a href= "https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/community-sign-up">Resilient Community</a> Find lots of resources to support you and you'll join a crew of inspiring people who are building their resilience and joy while also helping to keep our Joy Lab podcast in existence!</li> <li><a href= "https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/joy-lab-program">Joy Lab Program</a> (step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life)</li> <li>More pods on our element of "Fun"</li> <ul> <li><a href= "https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2147802959"> #19 The Power of Play: Clocks vs Clouds and Taming Your Wild Things</a> </li> <li><a href= "https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148040990"> #70 Update and Special [Super fun!] Replay</a></li> </ul> </ul> Full transcript available at: <a href= "https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148051063">https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148051063</a>

Are you feeling like the playful YOU that once existed has fallen away? Or maybe you've watched other people move through their day with a fun spirit that you wish you could tap into? You're not alone. When adult-ing gets tough, fun usually takes a back seat (like way in the back). Problem is, squashing that playful or fun aspect of yourself can also squash the creative, inspired, energetic, and curious elements of you as well. The truth is, your playful self is a surprisingly powerful element of your mental health. This guided meditation with music will help you tap into that aspect of yourself so that you can bring it back into your daily life. Links and Sources: Resilient Community Find lots of resources to support you and you'll join a crew of inspiring people who are building their resilience and joy while also helping to keep our Joy Lab podcast in existence! Joy Lab Program (step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life) More pods on our element of "Fun" #19 The Power of Play: Clocks vs Clouds and Taming Your Wild Things #70 Update and Special [Super fun!] Replay Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148051063

Are you feeling like the playful YOU that once existed has fallen away? Or maybe you've watched other people move through their day with a fun spirit that you wish you could tap into? You're not alone. When adult-ing gets tough, fun usually takes a back seat (like way in the back). Problem is, squashing that playful or fun aspect of yourself can also squash the creative, inspired, energetic, and curious elements of you as well. The truth is, your playful self is a surprisingly powerful element of your mental health. This guided meditation with music will help you tap into that aspect of yourself so that you can bring it back into your daily life. Links and Sources: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/community-sign-up" rel="noopener noreferrer">Resilient Community</a> Find lots of resources to support you and you'll join a crew of inspiring people who are building their resilience and joy while also helping to keep our Joy Lab podcast in existence!</li> <li><a href="https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/joy-lab-program" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joy Lab Program</a> (step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life)</li> <li>More pods on our element of "Fun"</li> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2147802959" rel="noopener noreferrer"> #19 The Power of Play: Clocks vs Clouds and Taming Your Wild Things</a>&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148040990" rel="noopener noreferrer"> #70 Update and Special [Super fun!] Replay</a></li> </ul> </ul> Full transcript available at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148051063" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148051063</a>

71. Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation)

Welcome to the Joy Lab Podcast! We're your hosts, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, and we blend soulful insights with practical strategies to help you navigate mental health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.

In each episode, we dive deep into the art and science of joy, exploring how to build resilience and flourish, even in the face of life's overwhelming moments. You'll probably resonate and benefit most from joining us if any of the below resonate:

* You feel caught in cycles of worry or anxiety.

* You feel STRESSED and sick of the symptoms that go along with it (feeling tired, achy/tight in your body, tension headaches, and lots of irritation or nervousness).

* You feel overwhelmed by the news of the world around you and it's impacting your mood and focus.

* The grind of day-to-day life doesn't feel meaningful to you and you want something more.

* Your mind feels ridiculously busy, full, and foggy. You may even be waking up in the middle of the night (3am, anyone?), with your mind racing over stuff you can't shake.

* You feel depressed too often or even just stuck in a "meh" or "bleh" kind of state. You also really want to get out of that low mood rut, feel happy again, and live your life more fully.

Did you sense a heaviness in your chest or belly that was like... "yeah, I'm feeling that." If so, then join us every Wednesday for a new episode. As hosts of this pod and fellow humans, we've had those thoughts and felt those feelings too. We know the struggle. We also know the relief and what it's like to go beyond just a baseline of feeling "not so bad" and into a more joyful and flourishing state. Maybe best of all, we know how to help others do that too. We've been in the mental health field and doing this work for a combined 50+ years.

You can also trust that what we talk about and explore are solid mental health tools and practices grounded by modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and the science of mindfulness. We'll also adventure beyond what can be measured to explore wisdom from our deepest selves or "soul." 

But, there's a warning there... even when we're working with that deeper stuff, this is not some woo-woo, new age kind of psychobabble. It's the practical, whole-person approach to mental health that is necessary for our complex human lives. It will challenge you to address all the bits of your being, even those uncertain/uncomfortable sides, to help you cultivate joy right now—no procrastinating for the "perfect" moment.

So, if you’re ready to redefine your relationship with mental health and unlock the joy that’s already within you, simply choose an episode that speaks to you and press play. Each episode is your personal guide to building true resilience, embracing self-care that truly nourishes you, and reigniting a deep sense of connection. 

You’ll walk away with practical insights to help you navigate life’s challenges with more confidence—because joy isn’t something you have to chase, it’s something within you that's waiting for you to rediscover.

The Joy Lab Podcast and Program are powered by Pathways North.

________
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Education

Self-Improvement

Welcome to the Joy Lab Podcast! We're your hosts, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, and we blend soulful insights with practical strategies to help you navigate mental health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. In each episode, we dive deep into the art and science of joy, exploring how to build resilience and flourish, even in the face of life's overwhelming moments. You'll probably resonate and benefit most from joining us if any of the below resonate: * You feel caught in cycles of worry or anxiety. * You feel STRESSED and sick of the symptoms that go along with it (feeling tired, achy/tight in your body, tension headaches, and lots of irritation or nervousness). * You feel overwhelmed by the news of the world around you and it's impacting your mood and focus. * The grind of day-to-day life doesn't feel meaningful to you and you want something more. * Your mind feels ridiculously busy, full, and foggy. You may even be waking up in the middle of the night (3am, anyone?), with your mind racing over stuff you can't shake. * You feel depressed too often or even just stuck in a "meh" or "bleh" kind of state. You also really want to get out of that low mood rut, feel happy again, and live your life more fully. Did you sense a heaviness in your chest or belly that was like... "yeah, I'm feeling that." If so, then join us every Wednesday for a new episode. As hosts of this pod and fellow humans, we've had those thoughts and felt those feelings too. We know the struggle. We also know the relief and what it's like to go beyond just a baseline of feeling "not so bad" and into a more joyful and flourishing state. Maybe best of all, we know how to help others do that too. We've been in the mental health field and doing this work for a combined 50+ years. You can also trust that what we talk about and explore are solid mental health tools and practices grounded by modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and the science of mindfulness. We'll also adventure beyond what can be measured to explore wisdom from our deepest selves or "soul." But, there's a warning there... even when we're working with that deeper stuff, this is not some woo-woo, new age kind of psychobabble. It's the practical, whole-person approach to mental health that is necessary for our complex human lives. It will challenge you to address all the bits of your being, even those uncertain/uncomfortable sides, to help you cultivate joy right now—no procrastinating for the "perfect" moment. So, if you’re ready to redefine your relationship with mental health and unlock the joy that’s already within you, simply choose an episode that speaks to you and press play. Each episode is your personal guide to building true resilience, embracing self-care that truly nourishes you, and reigniting a deep sense of connection. You’ll walk away with practical insights to help you navigate life’s challenges with more confidence—because joy isn’t something you have to chase, it’s something within you that's waiting for you to rediscover. The Joy Lab Podcast and Program are powered by Pathways North. ________ This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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71. Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation)

71. Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation)

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