Mindful Listening: The Mental Health Benefits of Podcasts
September 24, 2024
What are Podcasts?
Finding the time to unwind and nourish our minds in this fast-paced world can be hard. Podcasts can help with this as they offer an easy, accessible way to relax, learn and even boost our mental health, all whilst we go about our daily routines. The term “podcast” is a blend of “iPod” and “broadcast”. Despite the name’s origin, you no longer need an iPod to listen to them; a smartphone or computer will do! Popular UK platforms include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Stitcher.
You can also listen to podcasts on our website, where experts explore mental health topics and provide strategies to improve well-being. This article examines the benefits of podcasts and highlights some interesting examples that underline how podcasts may enhance our well-being.
Why are Podcasts So Great for Mental Health?
Podcasts offer a fun and engaging way to learn new things while helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Focusing your mind on an interesting topic can provide a calming break when feeling overwhelmed. It has been found that podcasts can improve mental health by making you feel good and connected or understood.
Additionally, listeners of the popular American podcast Mental Illness Happy Hour, which discusses mental health issues, trauma, and therapy, have reported more positive feelings about others with mental health issues, a more favourable view of those seeking therapy, and lower levels of stigma.
Podcasts are increasingly being used to address mental health and well-being. They cover topics on:
- Well-being tips
- Guided meditation
- Relaxation
- Mindfulness
- Psychoeducation
- Therapeutic content
Famous Podcast Hosts
Many celebrities have joined the podcasting world, covering a diverse range of topics. Notable hosts include:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Archewell Audio focuses on mental health and social issues.
- Barack and Michelle Obama: The Michelle Obama Podcast covers relationships and health.
- Reese Witherspoon: Reese’s Book Club features discussions with authors and guests about books.
- Russell Howard: Wonderbox explores and discusses fascinating and uplifting topics.
- Will Ferrell: The Ron Burgundy Podcast offers comedic takes on current events and interviews guests in an over-the-top style.
Entertaining and Educational Podcasts
One entertaining podcast is No Such Thing As A Fish, where the hosts share bizarre and hilarious facts they've uncovered. A particularly quirky fact discussed was about a Frenchman who ate an entire aeroplane in 1979. Known as "Mr Eat-All," he consumed a small place piece by piece over two years! You can find No Such Thing As A Fish on Spotify.
In addition to Spotify, many podcasts are available on YouTube. For example, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk podcast blends science, pop culture, and comedy to explore a variety of topics about the universe. A short video from this podcast discussing the age-old question of “What came first, the chicken or the egg?”.
Podcasts and Mental Wellbeing
Other podcasts provide education and awareness on mental health developing self-awareness which is essential for managing mental health.
In an episode of The High-Performance Podcast, Dr Smith, touches on the dangers of perfectionism, explaining that it often leads to self-criticism and hampers personal growth. She suggests that embracing self-compassion and focusing on good enough decisions support our long-term well-being.
In Dr. Laurie Santos's podcast, "The Happiness Lab," she explores ways to manage negative self-talk and stress. She emphasizes that while negative emotions are natural, it's important to manage them effectively. The podcast offers practical techniques to help reduce the impact of stress and improve emotional well-being:
- Manage Negative Emotions: Quote: "Negative emotions themselves aren't bad. What matters is how we manage them."
Tip: Practice mental distancing. When emotions run high, step back and view the situation as if advising a friend. This helps you gain clarity and reduce emotional intensity. - Reduce Stress Responses: Quote: "Our chatter perpetuates stress by keeping our physiological response activated."
Tip: Use temporal distancing. When ruminating, think about how you'll feel tomorrow, next week, or next year. This perspective helps reduce the urgency and makes the situation more manageable.
Exploring Vulnerability and Courage: Lessons from Dr. Brené Brown
In the podcast The Science of Success, during an episode with Dr. Brené Brown, she explores the relationship between vulnerability and courage. Key points include:
- Vulnerability as Courage: Vulnerability means showing up and being seen, despite uncertainty and risk. It’s essential for courage.
- The Arena Metaphor: True value lies in participating and risking failure, not in critiquing from the sidelines.
- Feedback vs. Criticism: Embrace feedback from those in the arena, and ignore unconstructive criticism from outsiders.
- Teaching Courage: Courage involves skills like embracing vulnerability, living your values, building trust, and resilience.
- Armour vs. Authenticity: Recognize and address the defences (armour) people use to protect themselves from vulnerability.
In the podcast, Dr. Brené Brown emphasizes the essence of vulnerability with the powerful quote: 'Vulnerability is not about winning or losing; it's about having the courage to show up and be seen when you have no control over the outcome.' This highlights the intrinsic link between vulnerability and courage, reinforcing that true bravery lies in the willingness to take risks, regardless of the result.
Podcasts are a great way to unwind and learn new things while you’re busy with daily activities. They can help with mental health by reducing stress and making you feel better. You can find podcasts on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. They cover everything from fun facts to self-help tips and interviews with famous people. So, give them a listen and see how they can make your day better!