Self Belief Unsquashed

179: The Serious Benefits of Laughter

In these stressful times, we often forget the simplest antidote to our troubles – laughter. In this episode we explore the profound effects laughter can have on our mental and physical health, presenting historical anecdotes and scientific research to validate these claims. And it all starts with laughter - listen!
Discover how a practice as old as time can relieve stress, boost your immune system, and enhance the quality of your relationships. A sprinkle of humor a day may indeed keep the doctor away. Learn how laughter can effectively elevate your mood and improve resilience against life's challenges.
Explore practical ways to incorporate more laughter into your everyday life, whether it's through comedy, joyful experiences with friends, or even laughter yoga. Embrace the contagious nature of joy and make a conscious effort to bring more laughter into your world – for your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of those around you.
REFERENCES for further exploring
 
Dr. Robert Provine – Laughter: A Scientific Investigation
Dr. Lee Berk – Loma Linda University Studies on Laughter
Norman Cousins – Anatomy of an Illness
My 'laughter makers'
Nick Abbot Show - LBC radio
The Rest is History Podcast
Joyce Grenfell and Norman Wisdom - Narcissus
The Laughing Policeman

178. Don't Let Bad Days Define You: Embrace Your Biorhythms

In this episode, I explore the concept of biorhythms and how they impact our daily fluctuations in energy and mood - something we all experience. What is the connection between your body and mind? With insights from "How Emotions Are Made" by Lisa Feldman Barrett, I highlight the importance of treating low moments as temporary - observe and understand your body's signals.
Through personal anecdotes, such as experiences at the climbing wall, I illustrate how sudden mood changes can be seen as part of our natural ebb and flow, rather than a crisis. I advise against making rash decisions during these "off" days and remind you to be nice to yourself!
Stay curious and embrace those unique rhythms. Emotions can often be just noise needing patience and observation. Whether it's the weather, sleep, or subtle stressors, recognizing and navigating these elements can lead to a more balanced and less reactive approach to life's challenges. 
Based on personal experience - of course! I'm human.
(The quote about butterflies is attributed to a number of people! Lisa Feldman Barrett mentions her daughter's karate teacher using it... and it might be orignally from Rob Gilbert - motivational speaker.  Not sure! It's a good image though.)
“It's all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation”
 
 
(Video version over on YouTube)

177: Questioning the Comfort Zone: A Fresh Perspective

In this episode, I delve into the widely accepted notion that staying in your comfort zone can be akin to stagnation or even a proverbial "graveyard" for dreams and ideas. But is it necessary to always step out of one's comfort zone to grow, or is there value in staying cozy and enjoying the comfort it offers?
Join me as I explore personal stories of embracing challenges and rediscovering passions, alongside insights and theories from Gay Hendricks’ book "The Big Leap." We'll evaluate the concept of an "upper limit" and the idea of self-sabotage, questioning if pushing beyond what we know is truly the path to success. Reflect on your own comfort zones and examine whether staying within them is holding you back or keeping you content and happy.
 
Video on YouTube - Self Belief Unsquashed Channel
More about 'Self Squashing' - trishalewis.com (Link to book and TEDx)

176: Unlocking Hidden Perspectives: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In this episode of "Self-Belief Unsquashed," Trisha Lewis encourages listeners to explore shifts in perspective that can lead to profound self-discovery. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, Trisha highlights the transformative power of viewing ourselves through different lenses. She shares a heartwarming story of reconnecting with an old friend and how it provided surprising insights into her own identity, challenging long-held beliefs about herself.
This episode invites you to break free from stagnant thinking patterns and embrace new perspectives, whether from longstanding relationships or fresh connections. By staying curious, open-minded, and receptive to the viewpoints of others, you unlock the potential for personal growth and self-awareness. Join Trisha in her mission to unsquash self-belief and experience a broader understanding of who you are.

175: Dare to Try: Embrace the Green Eggs and Ham Challenge

Join me for an inspiring episode of Self-Belief Unsquashed as we kick off 2025 with the exciting Green Eggs and Ham Challenge. Inspired by Dr. Seuss, this episode encourages listeners to conquer one fear this year by trying something new and outside their comfort zone. Discover how taking small steps can lead to significant personal growth and unexpected joy.
Listen to personal stories of overcoming challenges and finding new passions, like climbing and forming meaningful friendships, reminding us that great experiences often arise from the unknown. This year, embrace curiosity and courage, and see where the Green Eggs and Ham Challenge can take you.

174: Emotional Flooding: When Tears Take Over

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your emotions? Do you feel like a softie when you well up in the middle of a work meeting or social event for seemingly small reasons?  Do you suppress or release your crying? 
 
Let's put 'crying' on the forensics table.  Not just any old crying - 'emotional crying'.
 
A little look at the science of crying and a real story to illustrate the potential embarrassment (and learning opportunities) of unbid and out of proportion 'emotional crying'.  Those waves of feeling that hit you without warning and quickly flood you - if you let them.
 
Is there a way to stop the tears? Do you need to? Are you being over-reactive or simply human?
 
This is not a sad listen.  This is about building a better relationship with your emotions.  Real stories, some brain/body stuff, and practical tips to try.
 
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Research for further investigation:
 
How Stuff Works - How Crying Works.
 
The Relationship of Gender Roles and Beliefs to Crying in an International Sample.
 
 
More 'Unsquashing' resources and links  - go to my website.
 
Follow me on Medium for all sorts of 'human' stories around the topic of 'self-squashing'. 
 
 
 

173: Is it stupid to feel like and impostor?

This episode explores the complexities of imposter syndrome, a feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of success. We delve into the idea that instead of viewing imposter syndrome as solely a negative experience, you can reframe it as a catalyst for growth and learning. Could the feeling act as a motivator to push past comfort zones, embrace vulnerability, and acquire new knowledge. We consider the importance of self-awareness, a growth mindset, and finding supportive communities to overcome the debilitating aspects of imposter syndrome and harness its potential for positive change.
 
REFERENCES
The first quote is from:
The importance of stupidity in scientific research - Martin A. Schwartz
Books:
Mindset - Carol Dweck
Think Again - Adam Grant
Dunning-Kruger Effect 
 
TEDx - Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
Book - The Mystery of the Squashed Self
Coaching and more on 'unsquashing' - my website.
 

172: The Torture of Talking to Strangers

Ever been at a social event on your own and with loads of strangers - wedding, awards ceremony, business networking - and felt suffocated by self-consciousness - the kind that leaves you mute and convinced that everyone is looking at the way you hold your knife and fork - that sort of thing? I have! This episode explores the symptoms, drivers and then offers some very good tips to stop the torture!
 
References:
You Learn by Living - by Eleanor Roosevelt 
Letters to a Young Artist - by Anna Deavere Smith 
The Spotlight Effect
More on 'Self Squashing' -
TEDx - Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
Book - The Mystery of the Squashed Self 
Resources and links at trishalewis.com

171: Feeling like you Don't Fit In.

That self generated feeling of being an outsider when with a group of people - familiar? New word - 'self-outsidering'. What are the symptons and drivers of this unhelpful self-squashing feeling - and what reframes and actions might help.
The 'self' part of this is the key! You are doing it to yourself. Something has triggered this 'outsider' feeling - what might it be? What are the FIBs that are holding you back - fears, illusions and baggage. Your host shares a couple of personal anecdotes - briefly - that might resonate ... or surprise!
REFERENCES
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
 How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett 
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More on 'unsquashing' - have a look at my website.
The Mystery of the Squashed Self - Self-help book with a difference!  Beware the self squashing prophecy - TEDx 

170: Breathe Life into your Writing. Guest Bee Higgins.

You want to stand out with more confident, heart-led copy and content. You want to delve into your creative mindset - but a host of fears, illusions and bits of baggage - hold you back.
My guest Bee Higgins gets it! She feels it herself and she has tons of experience and expertise in creative writing. Bee is a messaging mentor who doesn't offer top tip templates for writing success - she offers insights and practical ideas on putting more of your own personality into your writing without getting squashed by comparisonitis and generic advice.
Just listening to her gentle wisdom will inspire you!
If you want to connect more with Bee - LinkedIn  Instagram   
More about 'unsquashing'? Head to my website - links to my book, TEDx and other resources.