The Active Optimist

Welcome to the last episode of 2021! As the year ends it is inevitable that we start to reflect. In this week's episode I talk about how to turn our often dispairing and depressing thoughts about the past year into something useful and balanced. 

End of year review questions the anti-depression way questions:

1. Is there anything to celebrate from the past year?
2. What bad experiences or charge are we carrying right now?
3. How is your mental health, physical health, spiritual health?
4.  What changes do you want to see happen over the next 365 days?

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

In this week's episode I am going over the real role of genes and brain changes in developing depression and being depressed. Most of us are only told the half truth of depression being a simple, yet spontaneous chemical imbalance in the brain. But there is so so much more than that. I will talk about what current research says about  how genetic predisposition, neuroplasticity, and immune system functions can cause depression.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Active Optimist episode on nutrition and toxic environmental causes for depression. 

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

This week's episode comes from my experience doubting myself, where I'm going, and playing into the lie that I should be further along by now. Self doubt is one of the many ways negative self talk keeps up from staying on an upward spiral away from depression. I talk about distinguishing between internal and external judgement and their respective solutions.

Things that have helped me with self doubt (shared in this episode):

1. Talking to someone.
2. Writing down my past accomplishments. 

Check out Serena on Instagram @serenakerrigan and her post here.

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

Welcome Atiyyah to the podcast! In this week's process episode, Atiyyah share's her mental health journey and the greater journey of self love.

She shares the freedom and wholeness that comes with choosing yourself and shedding the expectant dreams that we can carry. She also share's her radical act of self love – dating herself – where you treat yourself to the most enjoyable time ever for yourself as an act of love. Last but not least, we talk about stepping into the most authentic you, releasing yourself from the second act.

Check out Atiyyah on Instagram at @teeforthought_

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American listeners! Now, are we entering the happiest of holidays season or a month long torture chamber?

In this week's episode, I will share my thoughts on when you are less than enthusiastic for going home or the many social gatherings that characterize the month of December. With depression  in mind, it is important to take proactive measures to prep ourselves if we anticipate a hard holiday season. That being said, if you do feel a tiny or overwhelming sense of dread for the next coming weeks the one thing I must leave with you is that you are not alone and you shouldn't feel guilty for thinking these things.

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

I'm so happy to introduce Anna in this week's process episode!

Marking her one year, we talk about what this last year has brought + taught her after she started anew on her own after getting out of a toxic, traumatic relationship. She's real and raw about what got her on the path to recovering from her body image struggles, the power of positivity, and the reality of living with anxiety. Last but not least,  we talk about self love and putting yourself first as one of the most powerful moves you can make  not only for your mental health, but for the whole YOU.

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

Calling all women! This week's episode is all about your brain and hormonal birth control. With most women taking some sort of hormonal birth control presently or in the future, it is vital that we are informed about how it can effect our mental health & depression. Today, I'm sharing a overview on some of the unintended effects and consequences birth control can have on our brains that could lead us feeling depressed, dulled, and confused.

Check out Sarah Hill’s book “This is Your Brain on Birth Control" here which I highly recommend.

Also mentioned in this episode:

• In the Flo by Alissa Vitti

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

This Process episode is graced by Martin! He gives a thoughtful recount of his mental health through the Army, college, and what he's done over the few years.  We talk about the powerful perception that you co-create your reality and in control of your reactions. Martin also shares how faith and spirituality took centerstage in his approach to his mental health. Last but not least, Martin shows how empowering it is to get invested back into your life, take charge, and be energized in finding solutions to the struggles we are presented with.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 

If you are in NJ, join the Active Optimist Circle here!
Sign up form is here!

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

In this week's episode I am specifically talking to anyone who is supporting someone through depression or any other mental health crisis. I'm sharing my tips on how to hold space for someone, the importance of hearing them out, and why we must stop calling the cops when someone mentions mental health struggles or suicide.

As with every episode, I am here to start the conversation, and I hope you can use it to jumpstart a conversation between friends, peers, your organizations, and community.

If you are in NJ, join the Active Optimist Circle here! https://www.subsequentlydepression.com/active-optimist-circle
Sign up form is here!

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.

Work is running my life! Today's episode is about work and mental health, staying afloat when it seems like outside forces are trying so hard to bring us down. Whether it's work, school, family, or anything else, we all have seasons of overwhelm and I'm sharing what I have learned about consciously keeping up my mental wellness when everything is going to the wayside.

Join our new Facebook group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/185676800311717

If you are in NJ, join the Active Optimist Circle here! https://www.subsequentlydepression.com/active-optimist-circle
Sign up form is here!

Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!

The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.