The Power of Play: Positive Psychology, Clocks vs. Clouds and Taming Your Wild Things [19]

Play is part of our learning process, a key strategy to create connections, and essential for optimal mental health. In this episode, we'll talk about some common obstacles (clocks vs clouds) and we'll also cover simple strategies to soften overthinking (tame those wild things!) and to uncover your most playful self.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab Program.   Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app: Spotify | Apple | YouTube   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn   Key Takeaways: Act as if... sometimes a bit of fun, even when you don't feel like it, can make fun more likely in the future. We live in a universe of clouds, not clocks. Pretending otherwise creates a lot of suffering.  C.S. Lewis: "Have fun, even if it's not the same kind of fun everyone else is having." Metacognition... the benefits of thinking about thinking and the traps of just thinking way too much (e.g., have you ever had the yips?) Fun strategies: Strike your fun pose. Get grounded.  Embrace your unique idea of fun. Let go of the outcome. Don't be afraid to lose.  Remedies for depression can actually be fun.  Maurice Sendak: "It is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It's the best means they have for taming Wild Things."   Links Mentioned: More about Karl Popper (Also see: "Of Clouds and Clocks: An approach to the problem of rationality and freedom of man.") Maurice Sendak: https://www.sendakfoundation.org   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information.   If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected]. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org