This Might Help

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this episode, we unpack how social media might be making us more critical and harsher than we realise. From influencer “drama” to comment section pile-ons to the algorithms designed to reward outrage over nuance, we explore why we’re no longer just watching; we’re participating. We break down the psychology behind this, including the online disinhibition effect, why we say things online we'd never say in person, how social comparison fuels judgment, and what all of this is doing to our mental health. Finally, we share practical ways to step back, think more clearly, and engage online without getting pulled into the noise.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Brady, W. J., Wills, J. A., Jost, J. T., Tucker, J. A., & Van Bavel, J. J. (2017). Emotion shapes the diffusion of moralized content in social networks. PNAS, 114(28), 7313–7318. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1618923114Crockett, M. J. (2017). Moral outrage in the digital age. Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 769–771. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-017-0213-3Curran, T., & Hill, A. P. (2019). Perfectionism is increasing over time: A meta-analysis of birth cohort differences from 1989 to 2016. Psychological Bulletin, 145(4), 410–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000138Konrath, S. H., O'Brien, E. H., & Hsing, C. (2011). Changes in dispositional empathy. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15(2), 180–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868310377395Lapidot-Lefler, N., & Barak, A. (2012). Effects of anonymity and invisibility. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 434–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.10.014Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for social comparison. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 43, 1427–1438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0020-0Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(3), 321–326. https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/social-mediaAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this episode, we're diving into something so many of us are feeling right now - overwhelm. A lot of us are feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed, and we discuss what's happening in your brain when you experience this feeling and why modern life, from information overload and constant connectivity, is making it harder than ever to feel calm. Plus, we explore practical strategies to help close mental tabs, widen your window of tolerance, and actually signal to your body that it's safe to relax. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Begeti, F. (2024). The phone fix: The brain-focused guide to building healthy digital habits and breaking bad ones. Apollo.Dael, N., Meister, A., & Krings, F. (2025). Reaching point break: Understanding the lived experience of being overwhelmed. Frontiers in Organizational Psychology, 3, 1590159. https://doi.org/10.3389/forgp.2025.1590159Nagoski, E., & Nagoski, A. (2019). Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. Ballantine Books.Newman, N., Fletcher, R., Robertson, C. T., Ross Arguedas, A., & Nielsen, R. K. (2024). Reuters Institute digital news report 2024. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2024/dnr-executive-summarySiegel, D. J. (1999). The Developing Mind: Toward a Neurobiology of Interpersonal Experience. Guilford Press.Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285.Zeigarnik, B. (1938). On finished and unfinished tasks. In W. D. Ellis (Ed.), A Source Book of Gestalt Psychology (pp. 300–314). Kegan Paul.Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202205/what-is-the-window-of-tolerance-and-why-is-it-so-importanthttps://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-americaAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week’s episode, we explore people-pleasing: the tendency to prioritise others’ needs, emotions, and comfort at the expense of one’s own. While often perceived as kindness, people-pleasing can contribute to resentment, emotional exhaustion, and a diminished sense of self, and is associated with poorer mental health outcomes.We examine the psychological underpinnings of this pattern, drawing on research and theory related to social conditioning, attachment, and stress responses, and consider why people-pleasing may disproportionately affect women.The episode concludes with practical, evidence-informed strategies to help reduce people-pleasing tendencies, including developing assertive communication, setting healthy boundaries, and making decisions that align with your values.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Press.Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualisation of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032Simpson, J. A., & Rholes, W. S. (2017). Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.006YouGov. (2022). Women are more likely than men to identify as people-pleasers. https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/43498-women-more-likely-men-people-pleasing-pollSome additional resources can be found here:Braiker, H. B. (2001). The disease to please: Curing the people-pleasing syndrome. McGraw-Hill.Walker, P. (2013). Complex PTSD: From surviving to thriving: A guide and map for recovering from childhood trauma. Azure Coyote Publishing.Tawwab, N. G. (2021). Set boundaries, find peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself. Piatkus."How to Stop Being a People Pleaser": https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-color-of-wellness/202310/how-to-stop-being-a-people-pleaserAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.So... how are those goals going? In this week's episode, we revisit the goals we set at the start of the year and explore why motivation often fades (don't worry, so many of us experience this!). Using the concept of the “fresh start effect,” we unpack how the beginning of Q2 can serve as a powerful reset point to reflect, realign, and move forward with intention. We break down the psychology behind why progress towards our goals may have stalled, from the planning fallacy to the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Finally, we share practical, evidence-based strategies to help rebuild momentum, set realistic goals, and encourage self-compassion as we check in on our goal progress. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Review Press.Bonezzi, A., Brendl, C. M., & De Angelis, M. (2011). Stuck in the middle: The psychophysics of goal pursuit. Psychological Science, 22(5), 607–612. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611404899Breines, J. G., & Chen, S. (2012). Self-compassion increases self-improvement motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(9), 1133–1143. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212445599Buehler, R., Griffin, D., & Ross, M. (1994). Exploring the “planning fallacy”: Why people underestimate their task completion times. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(3), 366–381. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.67.3.366Dai, H., Milkman, K. L., & Riis, J. (2014). The fresh start effect: Temporal landmarks motivate aspirational behavior. Management Science, 60(10), 2563–2582. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1901Wang, J., & Fishbach, A. (2025). Goal harmony.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000452Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/well/move/new-years-resolutions-goals-advice.htmlhttps://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-get-motivated-even-when-you-don-t-feel-like-itAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we discuss the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies on adult life and wellbeing ever conducted. From decades of research, the study highlights what actually predicts a long, healthy and fulfilling life! In this episode, we covered:How relationships are the single strongest predictor of happiness The harms of loneliness What people regretted when they looked back on their lives What we can take from the findings of the study and implement into our lives to boost wellbeing and happiness.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastThe research we chat about can be found below:Waldinger, R. J., & Schulz, M. S. (2010). Psychology and Aging, 25(2), 422–431. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019087The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness published in 2023 by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-good-life-9781846046780)Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_the_secret_to_a_happy_life_lessons_from_8_decades_of_researchAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we discuss the psychology of time management and why so many of us feel like there is never enough time. We cover why our brains are wired to make time management hard, and what the research says actually helps.In this episode, we covered:The planning fallacy and why we consistently underestimate how long things takeTask completion bias and why we gravitate toward easy tasks over important onesWhy procrastination is an emotion regulation problemHow skipping rest actually reduces our productivityEvidence-based strategies, including if-then planning, time-blocking, and building in realistic buffersWhy self-compassion beats self-criticism for getting back on trackYou can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Amabile, Teresa M., and Steve J. Kramer. The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work. Harvard Business Review Press, 2011.Buehler, R., Griffin, D., & Ross, M. (1994). Exploring the "planning fallacy": Why people underestimate their task completion times. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(3), 366–381. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.67.3.366Roxburgh, S. (2004). “There Just Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day’: The Mental Health Consequences of Time Pressure. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 45(2), 115-131.Some additional resources can be found here:Brian Christian — "How to manage your time more effectively (according to machines)" (TED-Ed): https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-manage-your-time-more-effectively-according-to-machines-brian-christianhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/mindful-professional-development/202309/the-psychology-of-time-management-and-5-strategiesAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we explore what conspiracy theories are and unpack why people are drawn to them, including that they are driven by a need for certainty, a need for control and social motives, alongside cognitive biases and proportionality bias. We also discuss the real-world consequences, from reduced health behaviours to lower political engagement and weakened social cohesion. Finally, the episode offers practical strategies for managing misinformation and approaches to having respectful debunking conversations.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R. M., & Cichocka, A. (2017). The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(6), 538-542. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721417718261 Caulfield, M., & Wineburg, S. (2023). Verified: How to think straight, get duped less, and make better decisions about what to believe online. The University of Chicago Pressvan Prooijen, J. W., Spadaro, G., & Wang, H. (2021). Suspicion of institutions: How distrust and conspiracy theories deteriorate social relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 43, 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.013Some additional resources can be found here:Podcast episode with Dr Karen Douglas https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/conspiracy-theoriesSIFT Method: https://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/c.php?g=1241077&p=9082322Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help. This week's episode is all about overthinking or "repetitive negative thinking", including ruminating and worrying. Overthinking is so common, especially for young women, and in this episode we unpack what can lead to overthinking, why our brains get stuck in this pattern and talk through short-term and longer-term strategies to help reduce overthinking.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Ehring, T., & Watkins, E. R. (2008). Repetitive negative thinking as a transdiagnostic process. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1(3), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.1680/ijct.2008.1.3.192Johnson, D. P., & Whisman, M. A. (2013). Gender differences in rumination: A meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 55(4), 414–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.03.019Koster, E. H. W., De Lissnyder, E., Derakshan, N., & De Raedt, R. (2011). Understanding depressive rumination from a cognitive science perspective: The impaired disengagement hypothesis. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(1), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.08.005Lilly, K. J., Howard, C., Zubielevitch, E., & Sibley, C. G. (2023). Thinking twice: Examining gender differences in repetitive negative thinking across the adult lifespan. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1239112. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1239112Treynor, W., Gonzalez, R. & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. Rumination Reconsidered: A Psychometric Analysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research 27, 247–259 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023910315561These resources were also used for this episode:https://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch_how_to_turn_off_work_thoughts_during_your_free_timehttps://www.headspace.com/articles/stop-overthinking-start-livingIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help. In this episode, we chat about the post-holiday blues - the low mood many people experience returning to work after a break and discuss psychological research and practical strategies to cope. Research shows that while holidays do boost wellbeing, those benefits fade quickly after returning to work, and longer holidays don't necessarily help more. To combat the everyday monotony of daily life, we discuss strategies like savouring small positive moments, pairing mundane tasks with enjoyable activities, building in micro-moments of joy, maintaining social connections, and giving yourself buffer time before diving back into work.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2007). Savoring: A new model of positive experience. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.de Bloom, J., Kompier, M., Geurts, S., de Weerth, C., Taris, T., & Sonnentag, S. (2009). Do we recover from vacation? Meta-analysis of vacation effects on health and well-being. Journal of occupational health, 51(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.k8004 Guevarra, D. A., Park, Y., Xu, X., Liou, J., Smith, J., Callahan, P., Simon-Thomas, E., & Epel, E. S. (2025). Scaling a Brief Digital Well-Being Intervention (the Big Joy Project) and Sociodemographic Moderators: Single-Group Pre-Post Study. Journal of medical Internet research, 27, e72053. https://doi.org/10.2196/72053Weinberg, M. (2024). Why it's normal to feel post-holiday blues. Deakin University School of Psychology. https://this.deakin.edu.au/self-improvement/why-its-normal-to-feel-post-holiday-bluesYan, N., de Bloom, J., Dubbelt, L., & Halpenny, E. (2024). We Continue to Recover Through Vacation! Meta-Analysis of Vacation Effects on Well-Being and Its Fade-Out. European Psychologist, 28(4). https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000518These resources were also discussed in this episode: https://www.headspace.com/articles/post-holiday-blueshttps://ggia.berkeley.edu/bigjoy?If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.Valentine's Day is celebrated as a modern (often consumeristic) holiday; however, it has a very old (and pretty odd) history. This episode unpacks what the research says about the so-called “Valentine’s Day Blues.” We discuss whether the holiday impacts psychological well-being and how this might have changed over time. From milestone anxiety to the mental health benefits of gratitude, friendship, and self-expansion, this episode offers practical, evidence-based ways to protect (and even boost) your wellbeing, whether you’re single, partnered, or happily opting out altogether. 💌 You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Braithwaite, S., & Holt-Lunstad, J. (2017). Romantic relationships and mental health. Current opinion in psychology, 13, 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.001Buenconsejo, J. U., Fincham, F. D., & Datu, J. A. D. (2023). The perks of being grateful to partners: Expressing gratitude in relationships predicts relational self-efficacy and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applied psychology. Health and well-being, 15(4), 1472–1489. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12447Jans-Beken, L., Jacobs, N., Janssens, M., Peeters, S., Reijnders, J., Lechner, L., & Lataster, J. (2020). Gratitude and health: An updated review. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(6), 743–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1651888Lange, R., Jerabek, I., & Dagnall, N. (2022). Do the ‘Valentine’s Day Blues’ Exist? A Legacy Report on a Purported Psychological Phenomenon. Journal of Scientific Exploration. McIntyre, K. P., Mattingly, B. A., Stanton, S. C. E., Xu, X., Loving, T. J., & Lewandowski, G. W., Jr (2023). Romantic Relationships and Mental Health: Investigating the Role of Self-Expansion on Depression Symptoms. Journal of social and personal relationships, 40(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221101127 If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.It's the beginning of 2026, and there's no better time to think about the best practices we can put in place now to prevent burnout this year. In today's episode, we talk about why burnout is so prevalent amongst young people, and what strategies we (and workplaces) can use to prevent it! You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastIf you liked this podcast, you might also enjoy this other podcast on burnout: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/burnoutSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Gallup. (2022). State of the global workplace report. Gallup. Martinez, M. F., O'Shea, K. J., Lee, B. Y., & Haidari, L. A. (2025). The health and economic burden of employee burnout to U.S. employers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103-111.Mental Health UK. (2025). The Burnout Report 2025. https://mentalhealth-uk.org Sonnentag, S., & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery from job stress: The stressor-detachment model as an integrative framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(1), 72-103.Wrzesniewski, A., & Dutton, J. E. (2001). Crafting a job: Revisioning employees as active crafters of their work. Academy of Management Review, 26(2), 179-201. Zaitouni, M., Hewapathirana, G., Mostafa, M., Al Hajj, R., & ElMelegy, A. R. (2024). Work-life balance: A landscape mapping of two decades of scholarly research. Heliyon, 10(14), e34084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34084If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This is our last episode of 2025 and of Season 1! To wrap up the year, we're chatting all about how to reflect on 2025 and how to make regular reflection a part of 2026. We cover:Why we overlook our successes and winsWhy it is so important to celebrate progressHow to make the most out of our achievementsPractical strategies for reflecting on your year!You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastReferences from this episode:Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2007). Savoring: A new model of positive experience. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.Ledgerwood A, Boydstun AE. Sticky prospects: loss frames are cognitively stickier than gain frames. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2014 Feb;143(1):376-85. doi: 10.1037/a0032310. Epub 2013 Mar 25. PMID: 23527949.Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden and build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56, 218-226. https://doi.org/10.1037%2F%2F0003-066x.56.3.218Some of the resources we chat about in this episode:https://www.alisonledgerwood.com/negativity-and-positivity-biases.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XFLTDQ4JMkThe Progress Principle: Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011) - https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=40692https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/learning/10-ideas-for-reflecting-at-the-end-of-the-school-year.htmlAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This episode covers goal setting, including research-backed approaches for how to set goals, why so many of us don't achieve the goals we set and how to make goals stick. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastReferences from this episode:Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002-1Kiresuk, T.J., Sherman, R.E. Goal attainment scaling: A general method for evaluating comprehensive community mental health programs. Community Ment Health J 4, 443–453 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01530764Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2019). The development of goal setting theory: A half century retrospective. Motivation Science, 5(2), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000127Oettingen, G., Pak, H., & Schnetter, K. (2001). Self-regulation of goal setting: Turning free fantasies about the future into binding goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(5), 736–753. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.80.5.736Oettingen, G. (2012). Future thought and behaviour change. European Review of Social Psychology, 23(1), 1–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2011.643698Singh, B., Murphy, A., Maher, C., & Smith, A. E. (2024). Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Health Behaviour Habit Formation and Its Determinants. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(23), 2488. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232488Steel, P., Svartdal, F., Thundiyil, T., & Brothen, T. (2018). Examining procrastination across multiple goal stages: A longitudinal study of temporal motivation theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 327. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00327Some of the resources we chat about in this episode:Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery. Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This episode is a deep dive into "milestone anxiety" - that feeling and worry you get about being "behind" in life, or when you get stuck comparing yourself to other people's life milestones. We unpack what this is, what the signs of milestone anxiety are and what we can do about it!You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the resources we chat about in this episode:Relate (2022). ‘Milestone Anxiety’ on the rise among millennials and Gen Z. ‘Milestone anxiety’ on the rise among millennials and Gen Z | Relatehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/not-where-i-want-to-be-in-life/202301/i-am-just-not-where-i-want-to-be-in-lifeAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we answer audience questions about careers in psychology, including tips for master's and honours' applications, what experience we gained during our training and how to incorporate self-care during psychology degrees.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcast⁠See more about Australian psychology pathways here:https://psychology.org.au/psychology/careers-and-studying-psychology/studying-psychology/study-pathwaysAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This week's episode is a deep dive into the viral Vogue article, "Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?" by Chante Joseph. We touch on the psychology and research around being single and how this has shifted in recent years.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastVogue article:https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now/news-story/f4e2983a68387697a37df1579508b791Some of the key research we chat about can be found below:Dupuis, H. E., & Girme, Y. U. (2023). “Cat Ladies” and “Mama’s Boys”: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Gendered Discrimination and Stereotypes of Single Women and Single Men. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 50(2), 314-328. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672231203123 (Original work published 2024)Girme, Y. U., Sibley, C. G., Hadden, B. W., Schmitt, M. T., & Hunger, J. M. (2021). Unsupported and Stigmatized? The Association Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Is Mediated by Social Support and Social Discrimination. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(2), 425-435. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211030102 (Original work published 2022)Gonzalez Avilés, T., Bühler, J. L., Brandt, N. D., & Neyer, F. J. (2024). Today’s Adolescents Are More Satisfied With Being Single: Findings From a German Cohort-Sequential Study Among 14- to 40-Year-Olds. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 51(12), 2461-2475. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241257139 (Original work published 2025)Hoan, E., & MacDonald, G. (2024). “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”: Gender Differences in Singles’ Well-Being. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 16(6), 610-619. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506241287960 (Original work published 2025)Tessler, H., Choi, M., & Kao, G. (2024). Love as a Low Priority: Gender and Relationship History Differences in Singles’ Value of Romantic Partnership. Social Currents, 11(6), 479-492. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965241240781 (Original work published 2024)Stronge, S., Overall, N. C., & Sibley, C. G. (2019). Gender differences in the associations between relationship status, social support, and wellbeing. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(7), 819–829. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000540 Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This week's episode is all about our journey to becoming psychologists. We talk about what we studied, how long it took, the research we have done and how our careers look now. It's a dive into the ups, downs and very long pathway here.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSee more about Australian psychology pathways here:https://psychology.org.au/psychology/careers-and-studying-psychology/studying-psychology/study-pathwaysAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpThis week's episode is all about anxiety, what happens when we get anxious, and how we can calm down our bodies and minds during times of high stress.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Kasturi, S., Oguoma, V. M., Grant, J. B., Niyonsenga, T., & Mohanty, I. (2023). Prevalence Rates of Depression and Anxiety among Young Rural and Urban Australians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(1), 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010800https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illnessSome additional resources can be found here:https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategieshttps://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/anxiety/Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we unpack the psychology of procrastination, including why we procrastinate and how we can work to break this cycle.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcast⁠Some of the key research we chat about can be found below:Herzog-Krzywoszanska, R., Krzywoszanski, L. & Kargul, B. General procrastination and bedtime procrastination as serial mediators of the relationship between temporal perspective and sleep outcomes. Sci Rep 14, 31175 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82523-3Rezaei-Gazki, P., Ilaghi, M. & Masoumian, N. The triangle of anxiety, perfectionism, and academic procrastination: exploring the correlates in medical and dental students. BMC Med Educ 24, 181 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05145-3Sirois, F. M., & Pychyl, T. A. (2013). Procrastination and the priority of short-term mood regulation: Consequences for future self. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7(2), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12011Sirois, F. M. (2013). Procrastination and Stress: Exploring the Role of Self-compassion. Self and Identity, 13(2), 128–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2013.763404Zhang, P.Y., Ma, W.J. Temporal discounting predicts procrastination in the real world. Sci Rep 14, 14642 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65110-4Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/procrastinatehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dont-delay/201607/procrastination-101-its-not-about-feeling-ithttps://www.procrastination.ca/Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.In this week's episode, we talk all about confrontation and dealing with conflict.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Trifan TA, Meeus W and Branje S (2024) The dimensionality of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory across age and relationships. Front. Psychol. 15:1233279. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1233279Mandal, E., & Lip, M. (2022). Mindfulness, relationship quality, and conflict resolution strategies used by partners in close relationships. Current issues in personality psychology, 10(2), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2021.111981Bogacz, F., Pun, T. & Klimecki, O.M. Improved conflict resolution in romantic couples in mediation compared to negotiation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7, 131 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-00622-8Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.relationshipswa.org.au/Tip-sheets/Managing-Conflicthttps://books.google.com.au/books/about/Asserting_Yourself_Updated_Edition.html?id=BsXWDgAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yAdditional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.On this week's episode, we open up a discussion about body image, how body image has changed over time and what shapes our relationship with our body image. This can be a challenging topic, so please seek out the resources linked below if you need any further support.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/youthsurveyfindings/Griffiths, S., Harris, E., Whitehead, G., Angelopoulos, F., Stone, B., Grey, W., & Dennis, S. (2024). Does TikTok contribute to eating disorders? A comparison of the TikTok algorithms belonging to individuals with eating disorders versus healthy controls. Body Image, 51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101807van den Berg, P., Thompson, J. K., Obremski-Brandon, K., & Coovert, M. (2002). The Tripartite Influence model of body image and eating disturbance: a covariance structure modeling investigation testing the mediational role of appearance comparison. Journal of psychosomatic research, 53(5), 1007–1020. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00499-3Some additional resources can be found here:Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673https://insideoutinstitute.org.auhttps://eatingdisorders.org.au/biedaw-2025/https://butterfly.org.au/positive-body-image-navigating-the-terms/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/business/tiktok-skinnytok-ban.html?searchResultPosition=1https://butterfly.org.au/body-image/boosting-body-image/https://butterfly.org.au/news/more-than-90-of-young-people-in-australia-have-some-concern-about-their-body-image/ Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.On today's show, we're talking all about boredom and why we need to let our minds wander. We're also unpacking why tech, and our phones in particular, are making this so much harder.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Article we mention in detail: Tam, K., & Inzlicht, M. People are increasingly bored in our digital age. Communications Psychology, 2, 106 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00155-9Mann, S., & Cadman, R. (2014). Does being bored make us more creative? Creativity Research Journal, 26(2), 165-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2014.901073Mooneyham, B. W., & Schooler, J. W. (2013). The costs and benefits of mind-wandering: A review. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 67(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031569Tariq, I., Shahzadi, I., Waheed, A., & Riaz, S. (2025). Effect of digital detoxification on psychological well-being: A newer health and wellness trend in the current era. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(2), 62.Westgate, E. C., & Wilson, T. D. (2018). Boring thoughts and bored minds: The MAC model of boredom and cognitive engagement. Psychological Review, 125(5), 689-713. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000097Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/well/boredom-inspiration-mindfulness.htmlIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpIn this week's episode we explore the circle of control, a simple but powerful framework that can shift worry and help us to handle stress. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Arslan, C., DilmAç, B., & Hamarta, E. (2009). Coping with stress and trait anxiety in terms of locus of control: A study with Turkish university students. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 37(6), 791-800. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2009.37.6.791Cheng, C., Lau, H. P. B., & Chan, M. P. S. (2014). Coping flexibility and psychological adjustment to stressful life changes: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(6), 1582-1607. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037913Fielder, D., & Steinbeis, N. (2024). Sense of control buffers against stress. eLife. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.105025Li, W., Zhao, Z., Chen, D., Kwan, M.-P., & Tse, L. A. (2025). Association of health locus of control with anxiety and depression and mediating roles of health risk behaviors among college students. Scientific Reports, 15, 7565. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91522-xSome additional resources can be found here:https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Free Press.If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpToday's show is all about confidence! We chat about the psychology and science behind confidence, what shapes our confidence, and how we can cultivate more of it in our daily lives.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:The Women's Confidence report: https://womensconfidence.report/Block, J., & Robins, R. W. (1993). A Longitudinal Study of Consistency and Change in Self-Esteem from Early Adolescence to Early Adulthood. Child Development, 64(3), 909–923. https://doi.org/10.2307/1131226Oosthuizen, R.M. (2020). Resilience to Emotional Distress in Response to Failure, Error or Mistakes: A Positive Psychology Review. In: Vanderheiden, E., Mayer, CH. (eds) Mistakes, Errors and Failures across Cultures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35574-6_12Some additional resources can be found here:The Confidence Gap by Dr Russ Harris: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/product/the-confidence-gap/TedEd video on confidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_NYrWqUR40Article about power posing study: https://www.npr.org/2016/10/01/496093672/power-poses-co-author-i-do-not-believe-the-effects-are-realIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss the power of play! We chat all about why keeping play and fun as a core part of your life as an adult is just as important as play for kids. Play is foundational for supporting our mental health and wellbeing, and we discuss strategies to integrate more play into your day.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Pressman, S. D., Matthews, K. A., Cohen, S., Martire, L. M., Scheier, M., Baum, A., & Schulz, R. (2009). Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being. Psychosomatic medicine, 71(7), 725-732.Proyer, R. T. (2013). The well-being of playful adults: Adult playfulness, subjective well-being, physical well-being, and the pursuit of enjoyable activities. The European Journal of Humour Research, 1(1), 84-98.Proyer, R. T. (2017). A new structural model for the study of adult playfulness: Assessment and exploration of an understudied individual differences variable. Personality and Individual Differences, 108, 113-122.Some additional resources can be found here:https://nifplay.org/Play personality quiz: https://lindsaybraman.com/adult-play-styles/The power of fun: how to feel alive again by Catherine PriceIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpIn today's episode, we dive into the science of decisions and the strategies that can take your brain back from the brink of the decision threshold. We talk about why the increasing number of choices we have might not always be a good thing.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Danziger, S., Levav, J., & Avnaim-Pesso, L. (2011). Extraneous factors in judicial decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(17), 6889–6892. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1018033108Pignatiello, G. A., Martin, R. J. & Hickman, R. L. Decision fatigue: a conceptual analysis. J. Health Psychol. 25, 123–135 (2020).Barry Schwartz. (2004). The Paradox Of Choice: Why More Is Less.https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-psychology/198Some additional resources can be found here:Barry Schwartz's TED Video speaking to the paradox of choice: https://youtu.be/VO6XEQIsCoM?si=sVdMA_e8wGSuLeEnTEDed Resource on making decisions: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-make-smart-decisions-more-easilyAmerican Medical Association article on making decisions: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/behavioral-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-decision-fatigueIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we talk all about being grateful and why gratitude is a game-changer for our outlook on life. We unpack what gratitude is and the science behind why implementing a gratitude practice is good for your mental health, and how to do this (based on the research).You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Diniz G, Korkes L, Tristão LS, Pelegrini R, Bellodi PL, Bernardo WM. The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2023 Aug 11;21:eRW0371. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371. PMID: 37585888; PMCID: PMC10393216.Kini P, Wong J, McInnis S, Gabana N, Brown JW. The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. Neuroimage. 2016 Mar;128:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.040. Epub 2015 Dec 30. PMID: 26746580.Sansone RA, Sansone LA. Gratitude and well being: the benefits of appreciation. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2010 Nov;7(11):18-22. PMID: 21191529; PMCID: PMC3010965.Some additional resources can be found here:Berkeley Greater Good Science Center resources on gratitudeTEDEd Video on happiness (and gratitude)If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss focus and distraction, and why it is harder than ever to pay attention. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Posner, M. I., & Petersen, S. E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13(1), 25–42.Petersen SE, Posner MI. The attention system of the human brain: 20 years after. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2012;35:73-89. doi: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-062111-150525. Epub 2012 Apr 12. PMID: 22524787; PMCID: PMC3413263.Kim, A. J., Chen, K., & Mather, M. (2025). The effects of mindfulness meditation on mechanisms of attentional control in young and older adults: A preregistered eye tracking study. eNeuro, 12(7). Zainal NH, Newman MG. Mindfulness enhances cognitive functioning: a meta-analysis of 111 randomized controlled trials. Health Psychol Rev. 2024 Jun;18(2):369-395. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2023.2248222. Epub 2023 Aug 30. PMID: 37578065; PMCID: PMC10902202.A range of Professor Gloria Mark's work can be found here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=e4chyYQAAAAJ&hl=enSome additional resources can be found here:Podcast - Speaking of Psychology: Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spansBook - Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity by Professor Gloria Mark The selective attention test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2MvoIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpToday's episode is all about self-care. What self-care actually is from the psychological perspective, and why boundary setting is key to establishing self-care in your life. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:El-Osta, A., Webber, D., Gnani, S., Banarsee, R., Mummery, D., Majeed, A., & Smith, P. (2019). The Self-Care Matrix: A Unifying Framework for Self-Care.Esch, T., & Stefano, G. B. (2022). The BERN Framework of Mind-Body Medicine: Integrating Self-Care, Health Promotion, Resilience, and Applied Neuroscience. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, 913573. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.913573Martínez N, Connelly CD, Pérez A, Calero P. Self-care: A concept analysis. Int J Nurs Sci. 2021 Sep 5;8(4):418-425. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.08.007. PMID: 34631992; PMCID: PMC8488814.WHO guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being, 2022 revision. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240052192Some additional resources can be found here:Headspace article: https://www.headspace.com/mindfulness/self-care-ideasIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss friendship and why friends are so important for our mental health and well-being. We also chat about how to deepen existing friendships and ways to make new friends at any age! You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Alsarrani, A., Hunter, R., Dunne, L., & Garcia, L. (2022). Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing among adolescents: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14776-4.Narr, R., Allen, J., Tan, J., & Loeb, E. (2019). Close Friendship Strength and Broader Peer Group Desirability as Differential Predictors of Adult Mental Health.. Child development, 90 1, 298-313. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12905.Schwartz-Mette, R., Shankman, J., Dueweke, A., Borowski, S., & Rose, A. (2020). Relations of friendship experiences with depressive symptoms and loneliness in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analytic review.. Psychological bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000239.Some additional resources can be found here:Ted-Ed: 'How some friendships last - and others don’t - Iseult Gillespie' - https://youtu.be/kOVdiDUlNsg?si=cEt7bxrJZGcJYz_nLife Kit podcast: 'A friendship expert shares the science of making and keeping friends' with Psychologist Marisa Franco - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a-friendship-expert-shares-the-science-of/id1461493560?i=1000579272615If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we dive into all things sleep. We unpack what happens in our brain and body when we sleep, how sleep affects our mental health, wellbeing, memory and learning and what we can do about poor sleep. You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Abel, T., Havekes, R., Saletin, J., & Walker, M. (2013). Sleep, Plasticity and Memory from Molecules to Whole-Brain Networks. Current Biology, 23, R774-R788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.07.025.Goldstein, A., & Walker, M. (2014). The role of sleep in emotional brain function.. Annual review of clinical psychology, 10, 679-708. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153716.Rasch, B., & Born, J. (2013). About sleep's role in memory.. Physiological reviews, 93 2, 681-766. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00032.2012.Zielinski, M., McKenna, J., & McCarley, R. (2016). Functions and Mechanisms of Sleep. AIMS neuroscience, 3, 67 - 104. https://doi.org/10.3934/Neuroscience.2016.1.67.Some additional resources can be found here:Book to read: Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Professor Matthew WalkerIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we dive into values. We unpack what values are, why it is important to know your values and how you can use this information to help shape your decisions and life.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠The full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastSome of the key research we chat about can be found below:Honka, A., Helander, E., Pavel, M., Jimison, H., Mustonen, P., Korhonen, I., & Ermes, M. (2019). Exploring Associations Between the Self-Reported Values, Well-Being, and Health Behaviors of Finnish Citizens: Cross-Sectional Analysis of More Than 100,000 Web-Survey Responses. JMIR Mental Health, 6. https://doi.org/10.2196/12170.Wu, S., Bai, Z., Luo, S., Chi, I., & Zhang, L. (2019). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to reduce depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Journal of affective disorders, 260, 728-737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.040.Some additional resources can be found here:Book to read: The Happiness Trap by Dr Russ HarrisA list of values: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Values_Checklist_-_Russ_Harris.pdfThe Values in Action (VIA) Inventory (free online questionnaire to explore your character strengths): https://www.viacharacter.org/Valued Living Questionnaire (an adapted version of the VLQ, where you rate how important each value is to you, and how successful you have been in living this value in the past month): https://www.actmindfully.com.au/upimages/VALUED_Living_Questionnaire_-_adapted.pdfIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we get stuck into all things perfectionism. We unpack the difference between helpful and unhelpful perfectionism and how we can deal with perfectionistic thinking.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - InstagramThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastThe research we chat about can be found below:Curran, T., & Hill, A. P. (2019). Perfectionism is increasing over time: A meta-analysis of birth cohort differences from 1989 to 2016. Psychological bulletin, 145(4), 410.Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2022). The mindful self-compassion workbook: A proven way to accept yourself, build inner strength, and thrive (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.Shafran, R., Egan, S. J., & Wade, T. (2010). Overcoming perfectionism: A self-help guide using cognitive-behavioural techniques. Constable and Robinson.Some additional resources can be found here:https://www.psychologytools.com/articles/learn-about-perfectionismIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss all about how and why exercise improves our mental health and what we can do to become more consistent with exercise.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - InstagramThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube by clicking here. If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Further support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) The research we chat about can be found below:An, H.-Y., Chen, W., Wang, C.-W., Yang, H.-F., Huang, W.-T., & Fan, S.-Y. (2020). The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134817Basso, J. C., & Suzuki, W. A. (2017). The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. Brain Plasticity, 2(2), 127–152. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-160040Greco, G., Cataldi, S., & Fischetti, F. (2020). Combined Exercise Training Improves Work-Related Burnout Symptoms And Psychological Stress: A Randomized Controlled Study: 1702 Board #296 May 28 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 52(7S), 458. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000678904.77818.e8Heissel, A., Heinen, D., Brokmeier, L. L., Skarabis, N., Kangas, M., Vancampfort, D., Stubbs, B., Firth, J., Ward, P. B., Rosenbaum, S., Hallgren, M., & Schuch, F. (2023). Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(16), 1049–1057. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106282Kredlow, M. A., Capozzoli, M. C., Hearon, B. A., Calkins, A. W., & Otto, M. W. (2015). The effects of physical activity on sleep: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 427–449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9617-6Li, J., Zhou, Z., Hao, S., & Zang, L. (2025). Optimal intensity and dose of exercise to improve university students’ mental health: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 48 randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 125(5), 1395–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05688-9Ramos-Sanchez, C. P., Schuch, F. B., Seedat, S., Louw, Q. A., Stubbs, B., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., van Winkel, R., & Vancampfort, D. (2021). The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta-analytic evidence. Psychiatry Research, 302, 114046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114046Singh, B., Bennett, H., Miatke, A., Dumuid, D., Curtis, R., Ferguson, T., Brinsley, J., Szeto, K., Petersen, J. M., Gough, C., Eglitis, E., Simpson, C. E., Ekegren, C. L., Smith, A. E., Erickson, K. I., & Maher, C. (2025). Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: A systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108589Teixeira, D. S., Rodrigues, F., Cid, L., & Monteiro, D. (2022). Enjoyment as a Predictor of Exercise Habit, Intention to Continue Exercising, and Exercise Frequency: The Intensity Traits Discrepancy Moderation Role. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 780059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.780059

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss some of the research behind acute stress and how to optimise the inevitable stressors we face in day-to-day life.The research we chat about can be found below:Jamieson, J. P., Crum, A. J., Goyer, J. P., Marotta, M. E., & Akinola, M. (2018). Optimizing stress responses with reappraisal and mindset interventions: an integrated model. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 31(3), 245–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2018.1442615Lu, S., Wei, F., & Li, G. (2021). The evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system. Cell stress, 5(6), 76–85. https://doi.org/10.15698/cst2021.06.250McEwen, B., & Akil, H. (2020). Revisiting the Stress Concept: Implications for Affective Disorders. The Journal of Neuroscience, 40, 12 -21. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0733-19.2019.O'Connor, D., Thayer, J., & Vedhara, K. (2020). Stress and Health: A Review of Psychobiological Processes. Annual review of psychology. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-062520-122331.Yerkes, R. M., & Dodson, J. D. (1908). The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit-formation. Punishment: Issues and experiments, 27-41.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcastThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube @thismighthelppodcastIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Further support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) 

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss some of the research behind the positive and negative impacts that social media can have on mental health and how to find balance online. The main research and resources we chat about can be found below. If you are keen to learn more about social media and mental health, give them a read! Boniel-Nissim, M., Marino, C., Galeotti, T., Blinka, L., Ozoliņa, K., Craig, W., Lahti, H., Wong, S. L., Brown, J., Wilson, M., Inchley, J., & van den Eijnden, R. (2024). A focus on adolescent social media use and gaming in Europe, central Asia and Canada: Health Behaviour in School-aged Children international report from the 2021/2022 survey. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378982General (OSG), O. of the S. (2023). Social Media Has Both Positive and Negative Impacts on Children and Adolescents. In Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory [Internet]. US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594763/Koh, G. K., Ow Yong, J. Q. Y., Lee, A. R. Y. B., Ong, B. S. Y., Yau, C. E., Ho, C. S. H., & Goh, Y. S. (2024). Social media use and its impact on adults’ mental health and well-being: A scoping review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 21(4), 345–394. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12727Plackett, R., Blyth, A., & Schartau, P. (2023a). The Impact of Social Media Use Interventions on Mental Well-Being: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1), e44922. https://doi.org/10.2196/44922Skeggs, A., & Orben, A. (2025). Social media interventions to improve well-being. Nature Human Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02167-9Statistics on the number of social media users:https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552375/australia-time-spent-using-social-media-apps/Some of the Headspace strategies we discussed can be found here: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/how-to-have-a-healthier-relationship-with-social-media/You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcastWatch the full video version of this episode on YouTube @thismighthelppodcastIf you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Further support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under)

Welcome to This Might Help - a podcast bridging the gap between evidence-based psychology research and your everyday life. Hosted by Dr Ciara Hart and Dr Lauren Rossetti, two Australian psychologists and researchers with a passion for making psychological science practical and accessible.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thismighthelppodcastFind the full video version on YouTube @thismighthelppodcastNew episodes drop every Tuesday.