Psychology Takeaway Podcast

The Guide from Andrea

Here is the link to the Guide Andrea is willing to share: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17gmvFury-TmB4dO39OMEVuAO4zwjo_fr/view?usp=sharing

Enjoy!

Polar Night - The Heart of Winter

 

 

Join Jim and Ralph as they travel north of the Arctic Circle to see how local inhabitants deal with nearly 24 hour darkness for days on end.

Long, dark winters are associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression. Common effects include being moody, sluggish and unmotivated. The key is our circadian rhythm; it’s like your brain is making up its own time zone based of a 25, not 24 hour cycle.

SAD is serious, but there are some things that people use to cope. One is artificial light (light boxes are available on Amazon). Another hack is to take Vitamin D3 supplements. Enjoy the Northern Lights. Do things that up your Serotonin level.

LEARN MORE

Here is what the Cleveland Clinic reports on Serotonin: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin

Here is a short Ted Talk about life above the Arctic Circle in the winter

The 24 hour cycle

https://youtu.be/-Z-vyLHi2us?feature=shared  (if this does not click open just paste it into your browser)

SPECIAL NOTE: Jim and Jerry Fuller have a new book on Making Good Decisions. It is available at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJRD176

 

 

 

The Kalokagathia in the New Year

Jim and Ralph are joined again by Andrea Kirk Assaf who has returned to Mid Michigan from Rome on Christmas break. She has revived an old, somewhat lost concept- Kalokagathia, a term relating to holistic health, holiness, and happiness.

She explains its relationship to Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit and how we can nurture each in the New Year.

LEARN MORE

Here is a link to the last podcasts we did with Andrea: https://psychologytakeaway.podbean.com/e/a-special-curriculum-andrea-part-one/

https://psychologytakeaway.podbean.com/e/further-exploration-of-educational-concepts-part-two/

Our New-Years gift to you: over 70 useful hacks for health, wellness and general good living:

https://top101lifehacks.com/genius-life-hacks-youre-missing-out-on-v73.php?aff=2003&sub=T101LH_GDN_TWC_NOAUD&pub=727396378265&aux=101LifeHacks_Listicle&xcode=&ver=18500205%20SEO%20No%20Lazy&aff_unique1=%7Baff_unique1%7D&aff_unique2=EAIaIQobChMIrKbn6M7oigMVt4imBB0nvTTkEAEYASAAEgL7DvD_BwE&aff_unique3=21832192741&aff_unique5=727396378265&logos=&advfont=&adv_policies=

 

 

 

 

Resolutions 2025

Jim and Ralph discuss why keeping New Year's resolutions is so hard.

They recommend the SMART approach.

HAPPY '25.

Psychedelics Back in the News - Part Two

More information for you!!!

Psychedelics Back in the News - Part One

A while ago Jim and Ralph did podcasts on the use of Psychedelics to treat previously unresponsive cases of anxiety and PTSD. Psychedelic therapy works when nothing else works.

But not everyone is supportive.

A news story detailing the conflict appeared today. We have posted a link to the story in the Learn More section.

We are reposting some of our previous podcasts on psychedelics so that you have some access to the facts as they are known as of now.

LEARN MORE

Link to the news story mentioned above: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/colorado-psychedelic-therapy-mushrooms-veterans_n_67755d99e4b0d48751534192

Post-Christmas blahs

The period between December 25 and December 31 can present unique challenges, both socially and emotionally, the week before Christmas also carries its own pressures. But mental health concerns during the week following Christmas and the end of the year are particularly significant for many.

Jim and Ralph look at some of the causes including: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Social Isolation, Increased Stress, Holiday Grief, and changes in routine.

The opponent process: What goes up, comes down.

The boys offer some suggestions for beating the blues including:

1. Be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling. 
2. Get enough rest
3. Prioritize self-care:

                    Make time for yourself. 

Keep up with your healthy habits. 

                    Make room for your grief

Adopt an attitude of gratitude

If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to seek support, whether from friends, family, or mental health professionals. Many services are available to help people navigate these challenges during the holiday season.

LEARN MORE

Beating the post-Christmas blues: https://youtu.be/M4EPpAsiZqc?feature=shared

Here is opponent process theory as it applies to emotion: https://youtu.be/nNrmB_lyNDY?feature=shared

 

 

 

Christmas stress - an encore presentation

After the last podcast about brain-eating bacteria, we thought we should discuss seasonal stress in this week's podcast.

A lot of people get stressed out around the holiday season. Right now, I am stressed about a huge dump of snow that is affecting my holiday travel plans. I can't do anything about the weather, but I can control my response. I can choose to be frustrated and upset, or I can just say, "Oh well."

I can't get to the studio to do a new Christmas Stress podcast so I am putting up a past one.

Ralph and Jim examine Christmas stress and offer some antidotes.

Learn More

Depression and Christmas: https://youtu.be/D74VPcaKbAc

 

Brain eating bacteria?

Yes, it seems like something out of a cheap sci-fi movie. We know that unchecked, bacteria can wreak havoc. Just this Fall there were news stories of flesh-eating bacteria  coming out of Florida https://www.the-scientist.com/are-flesh-eating-bacteria-causing-infections-in-florida-not-exactly-experts-clarify-72281

It seems that was sort of an anomaly but Ralph has some new research that is much more scary – our own, normally friendly, gut bacteria turning rouge and attacking our body!

They cross the blood-brain barrier and start snacking on the brain; now that does seem like a script idea for a movie, or even a series.

Join Jim and Ralph as they unpack this latest horror show.

LEARN MORE

Here is a short video that documents the discovery of the brain eating bacteria that we were talking about: https://youtu.be/IFXOVMBfLuM?feature=shared

If you are freaked out here are some sounds to help you you chill: https://www.youtube.com/live/2OpuFmwuARc?feature=shared

 

Nightmares and things that go bump in the night

After the sweet dreams of last week, today Ralph, Jim, and Alex look at the scary world of nightmares.

But things get even more weird and scary next week!