From the tip of your fingers, down to your toes, today, we help you relax your mind, body, and brain. This helps you get into that 'Sleepy State'

Todays Relaxation Strategies:

Breath focus technique

Body Scan

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

From the tip of your fingers, down to your toes, today, we help you relax your mind, body, and brain so you can get into that 'Sleepy State'

Todays Relaxation Strategies include:

Breath focus technique

Body Scan

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com

Today I'm joined by a national treasure in Australia's leading social researcher and bestselling author, Hugh Makay.

In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, Hugh has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, and awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt, Macquarie, UNSW, Western Sydney, and Wollongong universities. He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015

For decades, Hugh explored our national psyche by interviewing thousands of Australians about what made them tick. Now aged in his 80s, he is asking us to turn the lens on ourselves in his new book, The Inner Self.

Through rich storytelling, and psychological theory, Hugh explores our 'top 20' hiding places. From Addiction to Ambition, busyness to social media, arrogance to victimhood - such places inhibit the desire for self-examination. Spending too long in our favourite "hiding places" only increases the risk that we will live an inauthentic half-life, robbing us of our full potential, forever wondering why we feel permanently unsatisfied.

A great conversation for anyone wanting to delve deeper, and ask themselves perhaps the most searching question of all: Who am I?

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com

Welcome to Episode 1 of our 12-part Sleep Series. Over the next 12 episodes, I'll be discussing all things sleep - We'll look at the science of sleep, and delve into how sleep affects your mind, brain, body, and behaviour. I'll share my tips for developing better sleep habits and routine. I'll help you get into that sleepy state by telling you stories that go nowhere, with no real point other than to create a comfortable, safe space for you to unwind, relax, and get a good nights sleep.

Oh, and i'll also be guiding you through sleep mediations, and teaching you various relaxation strategies to help you unwind, and reduce the anxious thoughts that are keeping you up at night.

So, today, I will be giving you my 5 tips for developing good sleep habits. We call this developing sleep hygiene, which really just means good and effective sleep habits.

Enjoy !

Today, I answer questions from listeners.

A HUGE thank you to everyone for your support throughout Season 1. We'll be returning for Season 2 on September 2nd.

Mindfulness and Sleep Podcasts will be uploaded sporadically. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode.

"We hurt where we care. We care, where we hurt" - Dr Steven Hayes

Why is it that the things that can cause us the most pain, are often the things we care about the most deeply?

For instance, I've never met a client with social anxiety who didn't have a deep longing to be socially accepted by their peers. Moreover, I've never met a person with depression who didn't desperately wish they could be engaged in the richness and fullness of life again.

Often, we turn our back on our true values because of past pain we want to avoid, and when it comes to achieving our goals, we have two choices:

1. We can either grit our teeth and do whatever it takes to get the job done (a results-focused/ future - oriented approach)

OR

2. We can live each moment in the present, engaging with our values, and doing what matters most (a values- focused/ present - orientated approach).

Sure, both paths may lead you to your destination, but at what cost? Personally, I learnt this the hard way, and when the final bill came, it was far more than I could afford.

Today I discuss values. I identify what values are, and why they matter. I also show you how to reconnect with your values, because often, it matters not "what" you achieved in life, but rather "how" you lived as you achieved. This I believe, is the true definition of success.

Enjoy!

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com

" I can resist anything except temptation" - Oscar Wilde

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Roy Baumeister, Professor at the University of Queensland. During our conversation, we discuss self-control, the factors that deplete it, and the ways we can increase it. We also discuss the powerful negativity effect, and how we can weaken its power over our lives.

Enjoy !

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by award-winning psychologist and author, Elizabeth Loftus. Elizabeth has spent her career uncovering the malleability of human memory, and is ranked as one of the top 100 most eminent psychologist of the 20th Century.

In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Professor Loftus has written 23 books and published over 500 scientific articles on the malleability of human memory, eyewitness testimony, and courtroom procedure.

In today's episode, we discuss her incredible research and its wide-reaching implications.

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com

In today's conversation, I'm talking sleep, with Dr Kate Sprecher.

Dr. Sprecher's research focuses on the contribution of sleep and circadian rhythms to healthy aging. She is currently investigating

how sleep in midlife relates to later life cognition and physical function, capitalizing on the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort, an ongoing

longitudinal study that has followed community-dwelling adults for 30+ years.

Today, I ask Kate the following questions:

· What is sleep?

· Why do we need sleep?

· What are the different stages of sleep?

· How do scientists study sleep in a laboratory?

· What are the benefits of a good night's sleep?

· How can I sleep well?

· Does sleep change throughout the lifespan?

We also discuss:

· How culture affects sleep

· The relationship between sleep and mental health

· Common sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnoea

· The harmful effects of alcohol and caffeine on sleep

· The ideal nap time and why you can either wake feeling refreshed or groggy after a nap.

· Common treatment for sleep problems such as insomnia and sleep apnoea

· Sleep hygiene, and how to cultivate better sleep habits.

· Emerging sleep research

Link to Website

https://tannerpsychology.com.au/podcast

Are you the type of person who struggles to say NO, or tell people how you "really" feel?

Does the very thought of having to decide on which restaurant to go to fill you with horror and dread?

If so, then this is the episode for YOU.

That's because today, I'm talking assertiveness with a man who has spent the last twenty-years teaching people this very skill - Dr Randy Paterson.

Randy is a psychologist and author practicing in Vancouver, Canada. He is author of The Assertiveness Workbook, which we will be diving into today, and How to be Miserable (40 Strategies You Already Use), which is also essential reading.

In todays conversation, Randy and I identify and discuss four different styles of interpersonal behaviour (i.e., the assertive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and passive styles). We reveal visible and invisible barriers preventing people from being more assertive (i.e., the stress barrier, beliefs barrier, and social barrier). We also look at how your nonverbal behaviour may be letting you down, because often, what matters most, is not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it.

Randy also reveals his motivation behind The Assertiveness Handbook, and offers a few practical tips for anyone out there who may be struggling with assertiveness.

Enjoy!

Mindcog website

https://www.themindcogpodcast.com