The Better Mental Health Podcast: Recent Episodes
Claudia Smith
A podcast for anyone suffering from depression who is looking for holistic answers to getting back to health and happiness. Run by me, Claudia Smith, a UK-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine practitioner and positive psychology coach. I have overcome depression myself using an integrative and holistic approach, and now it's my mission to help you achieve the same.
You can expect topics such as functional medicine, lifestyle interventions, self-compassion, dealing with difficult thoughts, growing self-esteem, positive psychology research and much more.
My aim is to share my knowledge, share stories, offer insights and hope, have guest experts on the show, and for the podcast to be a place of comfort, connection and inspiration.
If you are feeling depressed and hopeless (or terrified or outraged) about the state of the world then you are one of many people. The pandemic, climate change, social instability and injustice, and now Putin's war - it's overwhelming and it's so heartbreaking. And that's all on top of any personal challenges you might be facing in your own life. In this episode I share reflections and tips on how to cope during this difficult time.
Resources I've mentioned:
- Video by psychotherapist, author and soul-activist Francis Weller on grief. I can highly recommend his book The Wild Edge of Sorrow too.
- Being Well podcast episode by Rick and Forrest Hanson on Supporting Yourself During Difficult Times
- Video by Jack Kornfield A Peaceful Heart in a Time of War
And if you're looking for more information on my holistic approach to overcoming depression, then head here.
You can read the blog version of this episode here if you prefer.
Sending you love to your corner of the world 🌍
Suffering from depression often means suffering from a sense of meaninglessness. It's incredibly painful- I know from experience. In this episode, I talk about how to create meaning in your life when you're depressed. Grab a pen and paper, and take notes as this episode is absolutely full of advice and journaling prompts for you. Â Regaining meaning in your life is possible.
"Don't die with your music still in you (Dr Wayne Dyer)"Â
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For the blog version of this episode, head here.Â
To arrange a free Zoom chat with me to see if my approach to overcoming depression is right for you, click here.Â
Loneliness and depression can go hand in hand. Both bring up so much shame and can trigger big downward spirals. Loneliness is something I see a lot with my clients, and it's certainly something I've profoundly suffered from myself in the past.
So in this episode, I’m taking a deep dive into loneliness. I will be talking about:
- The types of loneliness
- The effects of loneliness on our physical and mental health
- Why so many of us feel lonely
- And what to do to stop feeling lonely
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Links mentioned in this episode:
- Vivek Murthy's book "Together"
- To book a free half hour Zoom call with me
- To find the resources for this episode, head to the blog post version.
Are you struggling with depression and are also just so unbelievably tired all the time?
Here are 10 top root causes that help explain your fatigue from a holistic and functional medicine perspective.
For more information on how I help people overcome depression holistically, visit:
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
Links I have mentioned in this episode:
- The blog version of this episode
- To book a free half hour Zoom call with me
- My previous episode on blood sugar imbalances
- My post about the link between your gut health and depression
- My 12 top sleep tips
When journalist and former depression-sufferer Johann Hari traveled around the world to speak to experts on the root causes of depression, one of his findings was the lack of a hopeful future. And I couldn’t agree more.Â
And if you are currently suffering from depression, then a lack of hope is likely something you’ve felt yourself. Often in an overwhelming and very painful way.
In this episode I’m going to dive into the topic of hope:
- What does hope have to do with our health and happiness?
- Chicken or egg: Lack of a hopeful future and depression
- How to gain hope even when it’s really hard
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Links to resources I have mentioned:
Book a free half hour zoom call with me to explore whether my holistic approach to overcoming depression is right for you
Short video about Hope Theory
The book "Making Hope Happen" by Shane Lopez
This episode is a very practical one: I am sharing my 4 top strategies to help you deal with challenging and dark thoughts. Practical, holistic tips for anyone who feels that their mind is against them. These are the tools I use in my work with clients and they are also very techniques that have helped me in my own journey of overcoming depression.
Links mentioned in the episode:
My 6 month holistic mental health programme to overcome depression
My free half hour Zoom callÂ
Jon Kabat-Zinn's book "Full Catastrophe Living"
Kristin Neff's book "Self-Compassion The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself"
Depression rates are rising and young people are more likely to suffer from depression than their parents or grandparents at their age (1). And in this episode I want to show you how it may be an evolutionary mismatch of depression that’s to blame.Â
What do I mean by that?Â
I mean that we human beings are not living life the way we are designed to. Our modern-day living is vastly different to our historical lifestyle. And it is this mismatch that is driving the mental health crisis.
I explore the many ways in which our modern lifestyles differ from our historical lifestyles. And at the end I provide you with lots of questions to ponder so that you can start living with greater alignment regarding our human biology.
Read the blog instead
For more info on my holistic approach to overcoming depression:
http://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
And to book a free half hour Zoom call with me:
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/free-call/
In this episode I talk about silent meditation retreats: What they are and what to expect. Plus, how my own experiences at these kinds of retreats have helped me to overcome depression.Â
I touch on the benefits of silence, solitude and community. I talk about what meditation can add to our lives and how learning the art of compassion can be truly transformative.
The lessons I have learned have been nothing but life-changing, so why not go out for a 20 minute walk and listen to this episode!
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Links I've mentioned in this episode:
For info on my 6 month programme, head here.Â
Or book the free 30 minute Zoom chat here.
Some of the well-known silent meditation retreat centres:
- Gaia House, Devon, UK
- Sharpham Trust, Devon, UK
- Moulin de Chaves, France
- Spirit Rock, California, USA
- Insight Meditation Society, Massachusetts, USA
- Mindfulness Training Institute, Australia/New Zealand
If you are suffering from poor mental health and low mood, know that there’s a lot more you can do to get better besides medication and talking therapy. I use an approach called nutrition and lifestyle medicine for depression alongside positive psychology coaching. In this episode I’m going to explain what it is and how I use it to help my clients overcome depression.
"Modern populations are increasingly overfed, malnourished, sedentary, sunlight-deficient, sleep-deprived, and socially isolated. These changes in lifestyle each contribute to poor physical health and affect the incidence and treatment of depression."
To book a free 30 minute Zoom call to explore whether this approach could help you overcome depression, too, then head here.
If you struggle with low mood before your period then this episode is for you. Or perhaps you notice a lot of anxiety before your period and you just can’t calm down those racing thoughts and switch your mind off. And maybe you get really irritable and angry in the lead up to your period...
Mood changes before your period are common and yet for some women are felt very deeply and make life really hard.Â
In this episode I delve into all things period: What actually happens during your cycle, what is PMS, what is PMDD, why do some women get it - and of course most importantly: What to do about it. I talk you through some of the holistic treatments I use in my work with my clients.
Other resources I've mentioned:
Episode 5 - Depression, anxiety & the incredible link to blood sugar imbalances
Free cycle tracking app Clue
And to book a free 30 minute call with me
This shorter episode is for anyone who's feeling really low and really down right in this very moment. It's a love letter from me to you - from one person with experience of mental health struggles to another. Woven in are lots of words of encouragement and support, too. Plus, my very favourite poem by the wonderful Mary Oliver.
If you know someone else who might like to receive this 10min audio love note, do send it their way.Â
For more info on my work in holistic mental healthcare plus lots of downloadable resources, head to my website: Â
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com
Truly wishing you well,
ClaudiaÂ
How can you stay sane and well when things get tough? How can you ride the waves when the sea is rough?Â
In this episode I talk about exactly that and dive into equanimity: the ability to remain calm and grounded, especially in difficult times.
Obviously this episode is very fitting given the ongoing pandemic, but it's helpful no matter what is going on in your life that feels hard.
To find out more about my work, head to my website:Â
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/one-to-one-package/
To purchase the workbook I mention in this episode:Â
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/product/self-worth-and-confidence-workbook/
In this solo-episode I talk about the essential blood tests to run if you are suffering from depression. The absolute must-test markers that will give you a great insight into what is going on within your body.Â
Depression is not in your head and is instead deeply linked to your physical health. So listen to this episode to find out what I check for with my clients.Â
To find out more about my work, head to my website: https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
And to book a free call, just pick a suitable time here: https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/free-call/
How do you deal with uncertainty and not knowing what's going to happen in the next few weeks and months, particularly now as we are heading into a winter with Covid? How can you be kinder towards yourself? And how can you approach self-care in a way that is truly nurturing, rather than being yet another thing on your to-do list (and yet another thing to fail at)?Â
These are some of the topics that counsellor and mindful self-compassion coach Ali Pember and I discuss in this interview. Ali is full of wisdom and full of "you are good enough" messages- plus she offers us lots of practical tips in this episode. I promise you will feel lighter and more at ease after listening!
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The link to my free guided meditation I have mentioned:
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/resources/
Or to follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
You can find Ali's work here:
https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/
And follow her on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/goodenoughmamas/
Are we neglecting creativity? Can it help to transform our mental health? Do we need to be creative in order to be well?
That's what photographer and creativity educator Donna Ford and I discuss in this episode. Donna shares her own experience of suffering from depression at the age of 21, and in how far creativity can be an incredibly powerful tool to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
She shares tips on how to get started and how to address the common blocks that often hold us back from being creative. Particularly if you think that you're "just not a creative person" or you've stopped exploring creativity but miss it, then this episode is for you.Â
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To follow Donna on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/donnafordcreativity/
And her website:
https://www.skirtingboardsandchandeliers.com/
Links to my work
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
I got the chance to talk to Lindsey Beveridge, a UK based nutritional therapist specialising in menopause, perimenopause and substance addiction.Â
We talk about her own battle with alcohol addiction and with mental health struggles, and in how far alcohol can really ruin both your physical and your mental health. Â She shares her thoughts on using nutritional therapy to support addiction recovery and how she approaches addiction in her work with clients.
A very honest conversation about what still is very much a taboo issue. Particularly useful if you feel you've become too dependant on alcohol. Or indeed if you are interested to learn just in how far alcohol affects the body.
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More on Lindsey's workshop  on becoming alcohol-free:
https://www.recovery-nutrition.co.uk/online-courses-1/nutrition-and-lifestyle-strategies-for-becoming-alcohol-free
And Lindsey's Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/recoverynutrition/
Links to my work
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
Have you noticed that your mental health is going downhill? If so, then take the 25 minutes to listen to this episode.Â
I share my top 8 tips on what to do (and what not to do!) when your mood and wellbeing are declining. They range from nutritional tips, to mindset shifts, reaching out to others and paying attention to what to consume day to day. And more!
I know from personal experience how horrible it is to feel low and down, anxious and tired. But improving (and even transforming!) your mental health is possible, even in the year 2020.
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To visit my website: https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
To book a free call with me: https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/free-call
Or to follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
A super valuable episode for anyone struggling with anxiety! I had the pleasure to interview UK writer Ben Aldridge, who writes about mental health, stoicism, buddhism, psychology and CBT.Â
In this interview he shares his own journey around anxiety and how studying different life philosophies and setting himself challenges made an enormous difference to his mental health.Â
Lots of practical advice in this episode and plenty of inspirational thoughts too!
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Discover more at Ben's website and on social media:
www.benaldridge.com
Instagram: @dothingsthatchallengeyou
Twitter: @iambenaldridge
And to find out more about my own work, just head here:
www.claudiasmithwellbeing.com
Instagram: @claudia.smith.wellbeing
In how far can cognitive behavioural therapy help with depression? CBT therapist Sarah Rees came on the show to tell us, and also shared fantastic advice about compassion focused therapy, which can be just so useful for people struggling with harsh self-criticism, feelings of shame and low self-worth.Â
At the end Sarah also shared her own healthy journey with us, covering low mood, thyroid problems and discovering she has celiac disease - and how working with a nutritionist has really helped her improve her health. We talked about the importance of connecting body and mind, and Sarah has shared lots and lots of practical advice with us if you are struggling with low mood.Â
Links to Sarah's Work:
https://sarahdrees.co.uk/
Sarah's CBT Journal
Sarah's Podcast "Ask The Therapist"
Links to my work
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
Episode NotesDoes food really make a difference to your mood and mental health? Oh yes! And in fact, it's about so much more than simply being deficient in a particular nutrient or two. In this episode I connect the dots between nutrition and the various physical contributors that are linked to mental health conditions such as depression.
"You can actually change your brain by informed choices about the foods that you eat. Eating food is something that we all have to do anyway, but you can choose between a diet that is good for your brain, and a diet that simply isn't." Claudia Smith - Episode 7.
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claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Download my free resources
Follow me on Instagram
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on iTunes. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â
In this episode I am talking to Kelsey Mech, a Canada based clinical counsellor specialising in anxiety and trauma. We talk about her journey of becoming a therapist and take a deep dive into anxiety: What it is, how it can show up and the different ways in which we can approach it. We also talk about the concept of finding a home within yourself, and the importance of living life based on your own values and truth.Â
Links to Kelsey's Work:
https://www.kelseymech.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kelseymech/
Links to my work
https://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.smith.wellbeing/
If you are struggling with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and you haven't yet heard about blood sugar regulation, then please listen to this episode. Looking at the sugar in your diet and finding ways to better balance your blood sugar levels is just so incredibly important for your mood and mental health. There hasn't been a single client of mine who hasn't benefited from this approach!
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claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Receive my free resources and fortnightly emails
Follow me on Instagram
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on your podcast app. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â
Depression is terrible to live with and I speak from experience. Nothing is worse than loosing your joy for life and hope for the future. But you are not broken, weak or somehow damaged if you are struggling with your mental health. Instead, you are a human with unmet needs.Â
So what if we understood depression as a sign that something’s not quite right in the way you live?  If you want to dig deeper  into this idea, then this episode is for you!
"What if depression is, in fact, a form of grief—for our own lives not being as they should? What if it is a form of grief for the connections we have lost, yet still need?” - Johann Hari.
The link to the free "Wheel of Life" exercise that I mentioned in this episode is here: http://claudiasmithwellbeing.com/free-resources
To head to my website: claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Join me over on Instagram
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on your podcast app. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â
Depression is a complex and multi-factorial illness with many potential causes. In this episode, I dive into some of the main ideas of the potential physical root causes of this unfortunately now very common mental illness.Â
Listen to this episode if you want to learn more about functional medicine and how it differs from the more conventional approach to health and illness, and what might be going on within the body of someone suffering from depression.Â
If you are struggling with low mood then make sure not to miss this episode. Â
"If you want to address what's going on in the mind, you need to address what's going on in the body as well" - Mark Hyman
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claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Receive my free resources
Follow me on Instagram
Join my free Facebook group
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on your podcast app. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â
In this episode I share what I believe to be the 10 biggest myths about depression. But this episode isn't just for people who have never suffered from depression themselves, and who want to better understand what it can feel like. It is also for those who are currently struggling with their mental health and who might be thinking that they're weak, that something is fundamentally wrong with them, or that they'll always suffer from depression.
So let's debunk those myths!
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claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Receive my weekly letters
Follow me on Instagram
Join my free Facebook group
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on your podcast app. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â
In this first ever episode on The Better Mental Health Podcast, I give you an overview of what this podcast is all about. You'll hear what future topics will cover and a little bit about who I am and what I do.
And then I also share my own story of suffering from depression in my early twenties with you. More importantly, I share how I managed to overcome depression and gradually return to better mental health again.
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claudiasmithwellbeing.com/podcast
Receive my weekly letters
Follow me on Instagram
Join my free Facebook group
And if you're feeling generous, please do take a moment to leave me a review on your podcast app. It will help others to find this podcast too!Â