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> </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: <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)

Joy Lab is a science-grounded guide to mental health, resilience, and joy. It's hosted by Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, who are leaders in integrative mental health.

If you're navigating stress, anxiety, low mood, burnout, or that persistent sense of "meh" that's hard to name but impossible to ignore, you're in the right place. Joy Lab blends the best of evidence-based mental health practices from CBT, positive psychology, & mindfulness with the deeper wisdom that science alone can't capture. It's what we call "science with soul" and, importantly, it's free of finger-wagging and toxic positivity. We focus on practical, whole-person support that's empowering and actually helps.

You'll probably find this pod most useful if any of these feel familiar:

*You feel caught in cycles of worry or anxiety.

*Stress has settled into your body; with tension, fatigue, and irritation showing up too often.

*The news of the world is getting under your skin, affecting your mood and focus more than you'd like to admit.

*Day-to-day life feels too "meh" and you want something more.

*Your mind feels full, foggy, or restless... maybe at 3am, when it seems especially determined to revisit everything you can't solve.

*You've been in a low mood rut for a while and you want out.

Episodes drop every Wednesdays + the 1st of each month. Each episode is a practical guide to building resilience, cultivating joy, and navigating life with more steadiness. It's an empowering approach that isn't just focused on what's wrong or endlessly chasing after fleeting moments of happiness. 

Henry and Aimee bring 50+ combined years in mental health, along with the lived experience to know that 'not so bad' is not the end goal for mental health. Joy Lab is here to help you reclaim the resilience and joy that's already within you.

The Joy Lab Podcast and Program are powered by Pathways North 501(c)(3).

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (SAMHSA) or contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264 (Mon–Fri, 10am–10pm ET), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org.

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Mental Health

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Joy Lab is a science-grounded guide to mental health, resilience, and joy. It's hosted by Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, who are leaders in integrative mental health. If you're navigating stress, anxiety, low mood, burnout, or that persistent sense of "meh" that's hard to name but impossible to ignore, you're in the right place. Joy Lab blends the best of evidence-based mental health practices from CBT, positive psychology, & mindfulness with the deeper wisdom that science alone can't capture. It's what we call "science with soul" and, importantly, it's free of finger-wagging and toxic positivity. We focus on practical, whole-person support that's empowering and actually helps. You'll probably find this pod most useful if any of these feel familiar: *You feel caught in cycles of worry or anxiety. *Stress has settled into your body; with tension, fatigue, and irritation showing up too often. *The news of the world is getting under your skin, affecting your mood and focus more than you'd like to admit. *Day-to-day life feels too "meh" and you want something more. *Your mind feels full, foggy, or restless... maybe at 3am, when it seems especially determined to revisit everything you can't solve. *You've been in a low mood rut for a while and you want out. Episodes drop every Wednesdays + the 1st of each month. Each episode is a practical guide to building resilience, cultivating joy, and navigating life with more steadiness. It's an empowering approach that isn't just focused on what's wrong or endlessly chasing after fleeting moments of happiness. Henry and Aimee bring 50+ combined years in mental health, along with the lived experience to know that 'not so bad' is not the end goal for mental health. Joy Lab is here to help you reclaim the resilience and joy that's already within you. The Joy Lab Podcast and Program are powered by Pathways North 501(c)(3). This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (SAMHSA) or contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264 (Mon–Fri, 10am–10pm ET), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org.

Joy Lab is a science-grounded guide to mental health, resilience, and joy. It's hosted by Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, who are leaders in integrative mental health.

If you're navigating stress, anxiety, low mood, burnout, or that persistent sense of "meh" that's hard to name but impossible to ignore, you're in the right place. Joy Lab blends the best of evidence-based mental health practices from CBT, positive psychology, &amp; mindfulness with the deeper wisdom that science alone can't capture. It's what we call "science with soul" and, importantly, it's free of finger-wagging and toxic positivity. We focus on practical, whole-person support that's empowering and actually helps.

You'll probably find this pod most useful if any of these feel familiar:

*You feel caught in cycles of worry or anxiety.

*Stress has settled into your body; with tension, fatigue, and irritation showing up too often.

*The news of the world is getting under your skin, affecting your mood and focus more than you'd like to admit.

*Day-to-day life feels too "meh" and you want something more.

*Your mind feels full, foggy, or restless... maybe at 3am, when it seems especially determined to revisit everything you can't solve.

*You've been in a low mood rut for a while and you want out.

Episodes drop every Wednesdays + the 1st of each month. Each episode is a practical guide to building resilience, cultivating joy, and navigating life with more steadiness. It's an empowering approach that isn't just focused on what's wrong or endlessly chasing after fleeting moments of happiness. 

Henry and Aimee bring 50+ combined years in mental health, along with the lived experience to know that 'not so bad' is not the end goal for mental health. Joy Lab is here to help you reclaim the resilience and joy that's already within you.

The Joy Lab Podcast and Program are powered by Pathways North 501(c)(3).

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (SAMHSA) or contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264 (Mon–Fri, 10am–10pm ET), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org.

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71. Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation)

71. Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation)

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