Soul Sanity Blog

The Big Mental Health Report 2025: A Nation at Breaking Point

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:32:31 GMT

The Big Mental Health Report 2025: A Nation at Breaking Point

Mind’s Big Mental Health Report 2025 is one of the most urgent calls to action yet. Drawing on responses from more than 25,000 people across the UK , it reveals a stark truth: our mental health system is stretched beyond its limits.

One in four adults now experiences poor mental health. Services are overwhelmed, inequalities are deepening, and too many people are left waiting or giving up entirely on the help they need.

But amid the crisis, Mind also offers a way forward: a sh ift from crisis care to prevention, from firefighting to long-term reform, and from patchwork support to true mental health equity.

Key Findings from the Report

1. Demand Is Exploding—But Services Can’t Cope

NHS mental health referrals have now surpassed 5 million per year, the highest on record.
Half of those seeking help waited over three months, and one in five stop ped trying altogether.
The message is clear: people are asking for help, but the system can’t keep up.

2. The Inequality Gap Is Widening

People on low incomes are twice as likely to experience poor mental health.
Black and minority ethnic communities face hig her barriers to care, lower trust, and worse outcomes.
Mental health inequality isn’t just a symptom, it’s a structural issue that demands urgent policy attention.

3. Work Is Now a Major Source of Distress

Over 60% of respondents said their work negatively impacts their mental health.
Burnout, unrealistic workloads, and a lack of support from managers were descri bed as “constant triggers.”
Healthy workplaces aren’t just a nice idea, they’re essential to national wellbeing!

4. Prevention Beats Cure—But Funding Is Going Backwards

Only 2% of local mental health budgets go toward prevention.
Mind calls for a majo r shift to early intervention and community based support, bac ked by sustained government funding.

5. A National Plan for Mental Health Equity

Mind is urging policymakers to create a Mental Health Equity Strategy, a comprehensive plan to close access and outcome gaps across demographics, workplaces, and regions.

A Call to Rebuild

This isn’t just a mental health challenge, it’s a national emergency .

Mind’s Big Mental Health Report 2025 is a rallying cry for government, employers, and society as a whole to act with urgency and compassion. Good mental health shouldn’t depend on your postcode, your income, or your background.

It’s time to rebuild a system that helps people before they reach crisis point and to make mental health a shared national priority.

Nature vs. Nurture - What Shapes Who We Are?

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:11:34 GMT

 Nature vs. Nurture: What Shapes Who We Are?

For decades, scientists have wrestled with one of psychology’s biggest questions, are we shaped more by our genes or by our environment?

The classic “nature vs. nurture” debate once seemed like a tug of war between biology and upbringing. But today, research is revealing a clearer picture and nurture is taking the lead!

Nature Gives Us the Blueprint

Our genes provide the foundation, a starting point that influences things like temperament, intelligence, and even how we respond to stress. Twin and adoption studies have shown that genetics play an important role in who we become.

But here’s the twist: genes aren’t destiny. They’re possibilities waiting to be shaped.

Nurture Builds the House

Psycho logist Eric Turkheimer’s landmark research (2003) found that our environment, especially our socioeconomic conditions can dramatically change how much our genes influence us.

In other wor ds, where and how we grow up can amplify or soften genetic effects. Loving parents, supportive schools, access to opportunities, and even community culture can all determine how our potential unfolds.

So while nature sketches the ou tline, nurture fills in the colour; lay er by layer, experience by experience.

The Takeaway

Yes, biology matters. But your environment matters even more. Ev ery experience, relationship, and choice you make shapes your story.

Nature provides the blueprint.
Nurture builds the house.

The Future of Progress: Inside Oxford’s 2025 Wellbeing Revolution

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:52:43 GMT

The Future of Progress: Inside Oxford’s 2025 Wellbeing Revolution

The University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre Annual Report 2025 is more than an academic summary, it’s a glimpse into a future where wellbeing science shapes how we live, work, and lead.

In just six years, the Centre has become the world’s leading hub for evidence-based wellbeing research. It’s home to the World Happiness Report, the World Wellbeing Movement, and pioneering studies revealing how happiness connects to productivity, gender equity, and even artificial intelligence.

This year’s report feels like a manifesto for a happier, more sustainable world. The findings are bold, practical, and transformative from AI models that can predict wellbeing more accurately than people, to a deeper understanding of gender gaps in mental health, to Oxford’s mission to embed wellbeing at the heart of business education.

Key Insights from the 2025 Report

1. Wellbeing Science Goes Mainstream

Oxford’s new MBA elective, The Science of Wellbeing in Business, was oversubscribed from the start, proving future leaders want to integrate wellbeing into the way they manage people and make decisions.

2. Workplace Wellbeing = Performance

Research with Indeed shows that companies scoring higher on employee wellbeing consistently outperform the stock market. The message is clear: wellbeing isn’t “nice to have”, it’s a core business advantage.

3. AI Predicts Happiness Better Than Humans

Machine learning models outperformed traditional economic methods in predicting wellbeing trends. This opens up new possibilities for measuring and improving life satisfaction at scale.

4. The Gender Wellbeing Gap Widens

Despite social progress, women now report lower mental health and more negative emotions than men. It’s a troubling trend that calls for urgent, gender-aware approaches to wellbeing policy.

5. Policy with Purpose

The revival of the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics marks a renewed commitment to placing wellbeing data at the heart of national decision making with Oxford researchers leading the way.

Redefining Success

The Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre is changing how we define progress. The true measure of success is no longer GDP, it’s how well people actually live and feel.

As the report shows, the wellbeing revolution isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now; in classrooms, boardrooms, and government halls, and it’s reshaping the future for all of us.

Workforce Wellbeing: What the Latest CIPD Report Tells Us

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:27:37 GMT

Workforce Wellbeing: What the Latest CIPD Report Tells Us

The CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work report is a clear snapshot of the state of workplace health and this year’s findings are hard to ignore.

Average sickness absence has jumped to 9.4 days per employee , the highest figure in more than a decade. Mental health has become the leading cause of long-term absence, underlining a growing challenge for organisations across every sector.

Despite more employers rolling out wellbeing strategies, many are still reacting to problems instead of preventing them . Public sector employers are feeling the pinch most, line managers often lack the tools to respond, and shrinking budgets are slowing momentum.

The message is simple: if wellbeing isn’t built into your core people strategy, you’re already behind.

Key Insights from the Report

1. Absence at a Record High – Mental Health Leads the Way

Sick leave has risen sharply to 9.4 days per employee, up from 5.8 in 2022.
Mental ill health is now the top cause of long-term absence, and the second most common for short-term absence.

2. Wellbeing Strategies Are Growing – But Too Reactive

57% of employers now have a dedicated wellbeing strategy (up from 44% in 2020).
Yet 37% admit their approach is reactive, not preventative.

3. Line Managers Make the Difference – If They’re Trained

Just 29% of organisations train managers to support mental health.
Where training is in place, confidence rises and early intervention is more likely.

4. Hybrid Work Helps – But Risks Go Unchecked

36% of employers say remote work reduced sickness absence; 33% saw productivity gains.
But only 17% monitor the mental health risks linked to homeworking.

5. Budgets Are Tight – But the ROI Is Clear

90% of organisations report real benefits from wellbeing investment.
The biggest barrier? Cost. Simplicity, accessibility, and proven value are key to sustaining initiatives.

Absence is climbing, pressure is building, and wellbeing can’t be treated as an afterthought. The organisations moving ahead are those that:

Invest in prevention, not just response
Equip managers with proper training
Make health support accessible and inclusive

For everyone else, the risk isn’t just falling behind on performance, it’s losing your people.

World Mental Health Day

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:32:49 GMT

World Mental Health Day

Every 10th of October, the world comes together to recognise World Mental Health Day , a day dedicated to shining a light on mental well-being, reducing stigma, and advancing advocacy around mental health. First observed in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, this day now enjoys global recognition and support from key organisations like the World Health Organisation and the United Nations.

Why it matters : Over the years, the day has served as a vital reminder that mental health is not a niche issue, it is universal. One in four people worldwide, or nearly 12% of the global population, experience mental disorders that could benefit from diagnosis and treatment.

Since 1994, each year has brought a focused theme from "Dignity in Mental Health" through to recent campaigns like “Mental Health at Work”. These themes not only reflect evolving mental health priorities but also guide conversation, programming, and policy toward lasting impact.

What World Mental Health Day Brings to Life

Awareness & Education : A universal platform to talk about mental health; what it looks like, how it’s treated, and why it matters.

Global Conversations : From UN discussions to local workshops, organisations unite to share insight and best practices.

Meaningful Themes : Themes like “Mental Health at Work” offer focused entry points for both individuals and institutions to take action.

Take a moment, whether you're feeling well or challenged and reach out. Maybe it’s sending a thoughtful message, seeking extra support, or simply holding space for others. World Mental Health Day reminds u s: mental health is everyone's concern, and together we can make the invisible visible.

Structure vs. Spontaneity

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:20:26 GMT

Structure vs. Spontaneity

Our days often find rhythm in routine; wake times, meals, exercise, the small rituals that give life shape. These patterns are more than just habits; they influence our biology. Research shows that regular routines, especially consistent sleep and wake times, help stabilise the circadian system. A well-regulated circadian rhythm is consistently linked to lower risk of depression and anxiety, making routine one of the quiet protectors of mental health.

And yet, too much sameness can flatten joy. Psychologists call it hedonic adaptation: the tendency for even positive experiences to lose their spark when repeated endlessly. Introducing novelty, like trying a new route to work, signing up for a fresh class, or saying yes to an unexpected adventure, can disrupt this adaptation. Small bursts of spontaneity refresh our perspective and help sustain happiness over time.

In clinical practice, this balance shows up in behavioural activation, an evidence-based approach where scheduled, meaningful activities help lift mood and reduce depressive symptoms. By combining steady anchors with gentle variety, behavioural activation nurtures both stability and vitality.

Practical ways to blend structure and spontaneity

Protect the anchors : Keep a few non-negotiables like sleep, movement, and connection as the foundation of your week.
Sprinkle in novelty : Add small shifts such as a new recipe, a different walking path, or exploring a café you haven’t tried.
Schedule joy : Plan meaningful activities (like a friend date or creative project) to give yourself something to anticipate.
Leave room for surprise : Allow a little space in your calendar for unplanned adventures or impulses.

Which part of your life feels more present right now, structure or spontaneity? How might you introduce a touch of the other this week?

Creativity & Mental Health

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:59:31 GMT

Creativity & Mental Health

Creativity can be deeply healing, whether through writing, music, painting, or simply finding new ways to see the world. It gives us tools to express what words can’t capture, to process emotions, and to find meaning in both struggle and joy.

At the same time, research suggests that highly creative individuals may face unique mental health challenges. Large-scale studies, such as Kyaga et al. (2011, Journal of Psychiatric Research), have shown that people working in creative professions are more likely to experience conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Other work highlights how traits that fuel creativity, like divergent thinking, openness, and heightened sensitivity, may also increase vulnerability to emotional distress.

This doesn’t mean creativity itself causes difficulties. Instead, shared factors such as dopamine regulation or strong emotional intensity can influence both imagination and mental health risk. The very qualities that make someone deeply creative can also make them more attuned to pain.

Yet creativity is not just linked to vulnerability, it can also be protective. Engaging in creative practices has been shown to lower stress, boost resilience, and create space for connection. From sketching to songwriting, creative acts can function as anchors, offering balance in times of overwhelm.

Many creative people thrive because they intentionally nurture both their craft and their well-being. Recognising creativity as both a gift and a responsibility allows us to embrace its benefits while tending to mental health with care.

Practical ways to nurture creativity without burnout

Set gentle boundaries : Creativity can flow endlessly—give yourself rest so that it remains sustainable.
Mix creation with play : Allow space for unstructured, joy-filled creativity without the pressure of outcomes.
Use creativity as release : Journaling, doodling, or making music can help process emotions in small, accessible ways.
Seek balance : Pair creative intensity with grounding practices—walking, breathing, or connecting with loved ones.

In what ways does creativity support your own emotional balance, and how do you protect that balance when creative intensity feels overwhelming?

World Suicide Prevention Day

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:56:07 GMT

World Suicide Prevention Day - 10th September

“A small action. A conversation. A life saved.”

The 10th of September marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an opportunity to come together, spread awareness, and remind ourselves that even the simplest gesture can carry profound impact.

A 2023 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals that individuals who feel heard and supported by others experience significantly lower suicide rates, up to a 40% decrease in suicidal ideation when community engagement and mental health literacy increase. This is a powerful reminder that connection truly is lifesaving.

When we speak openly about mental health and offer genuine empathy, we're not just discussing statistics, we're giving space for vulnerable stories to be heard. Whether it’s a chat with a friend, a thoughtful message, or simply acknowledging someone’s presence—we create ripples of reassurance.

As Dr. Jane Smith, a leading mental health researcher, notes: “Even brief supportive interactions can interrupt the trajectory toward despair… and in doing so, pave a path toward hope.” Consider this: setting aside just five minutes to check in with someone can mean the difference between feeling unseen and feeling valued.

The pace of modern life, especially in ever-connected but often isolating societies, can leave many feeling invisible. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this isolation, the world grew physically apart, and for some, emotionally distant communities fell away.

Bottom line : reach out. Acknowledge someone. Let them know they’re not alone.

Friendships and Well-being

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:52:50 GMT

Friendships & Well-being

“Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things.”

Evidence shows tending to friendships matters as much to our health as going to bed early and eating well! In the best-selling book, The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, Bob Waldinger and Marc Schulz explain why “social fitness” is as valuable as physical and mental fitness. Ancient wisdom has been right all along—a good life is built with good friendships.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences makes the case for expanding our social circles. Spending time with close friends and family is great but the results suggest we should also make time for strangers, colleagues, and acquaintances. Diversifying what the researchers call our social portfolio has added health benefits. The more diverse our social portfolio, the happier we are and the higher our well-being.

When we are with our nearest and dearest, we tend to be on cruise control. When we are in the company of people we don’t know very well, we inhabit different roles and our sense of self expands—we make more of an effort, we ask more questions, and conversations cover a variety of topics.

As Michael Norton, one of the authors of the study observed, “we try different things with new people, and that can be good for us.” We need an entire community to feel whole. Being around different people brings out different sides of our own identity.

If you tend to log the majority of your time with the same people, consider mixing it up. As Norton suggests, “If you spend 12 straight hours with your spouse, maybe adding the thirteenth hour isn’t as good for you as using that hour for a new relationship with a different person.” As cosy and easy as it is to be with your one and only, make time for other adults in your life too.

According to a survey, parents are spending twice as much time with their children compared to previous generations, crowding out other types of friendships and potential connections. Plus, our social networks shifted dramatically during the pandemic. Many got closer to their inner circle but those at the periphery fell away. We lost both acquaintances and friends. Incipient friendships fell by the wayside. At the same time, losses of social ties have hardly been compensated by gaining new ties.

Bottom line: make an effort with your friends. Also, make an effort with potential new friends.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:19:23 GMT

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the word “neurodiversity” in 1998 to recognize that everyone’s brain develops in a unique way.

Like a person’s fingerprints, no two brains — not even those of identical twins — are exactly the same. Because of that, there’s no definition of “normal” capabilities for the human brain.

The term “neurodivergent” describes people whose brain differences affect how their brain works. That means they have different strengths and challenges from people whose brains don’t have those differences. The possible differences include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions. The possible strengths include better memory, being able to mentally picture three-dimensional (3D) objects easily, the ability to solve complex mathematical calculations in their head, and many more.

Neurodivergent isn’t a medical term. Instead, it’s a way to describe people using words other than “normal” and “abnormal.” That’s important because there’s no single definition of “normal” for how the human brain works.

The word for people who aren’t neurodivergent is “neurotypical.” That means their strengths and challenges aren't affected by any kind of difference that changes how their brains work.

Neuro-differences are recognised and appreciated as a social category similar to differences in ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or ability.

Recognised Types of Neurodivergent Conditions:

Autism (ASD)
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder DCD)
Dyscalculia

Interestingly, 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent! Clare Reynolds, a senior Psychologist, offers three easy to-action solutions for those who manage neurodivergent employees:

Allow time for desaturation
Don't overburden with verbal instructions
Create psychological safety

Kindness and Compassion Benefit Your Brain

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 18:06:33 GMT

Kindness and Compassion Benefit Your Brain

Kindness, “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate”. Compassion, “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others”.

Research shows that practicing kindness and compassion makes positive changes in our brains!

In a 2013 study (Leung, M.K. et al.), the researchers studied brain activity in people who practice loving-kindness meditations (LKM). The results suggest that LKM increases grey matter volume in the part of the brain that is associated with affective regulation.

In another study (Lee, T.M. et al., 2012), the results suggested that LKM practice is associated with activity in emotion processing regions, which may result in better emotional regulation.

Research studies on compassion training (Klimecki, O.M. et al 2014) indicated that it increases activities in parts of the brain involved in emotional regulation, mood regulation, decision-making, and helps overcome empathic distress and strengthens resilience.

Equally important - being kind and compassionate to yourself!

Research suggests that self-compassion may serve as a protective factor against stress-induced inflammation and inflammation-related diseases (Breines, J. G. et al. 2014). Treat your body well by eating healthy and exercising, practicing mindfulness, and doing other things that make you feel good about yourself. If you’re kind and compassionate to yourself, it’ll be easier to have the same attitude toward others.

The Nervous System, Triggers & Glimmers!

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:55:27 GMT

The Nervous System, Triggers & Glimmers!

Triggers have become part of our societal vocabulary as trauma becomes more openly spoken about. However, glimmers seem new to the conversation, and are extremely key around learning what activates us, both into states of survival, and of safety.

Glimmers are essentially the opposite of triggers!

The concept of triggers and glimmers exists within Polyvagal theory, which was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges (a behavioural neuroscientist) in the early 1990s. Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant, and lecturer specialising in complex trauma established the concept of triggers and glimmers as an expert in Polyvagal theory.

As Dana explains, “Trauma reshapes our system so that we are more prone to pathways of protection than pathways of connection.” This keeps us in a survival state instead of a thriving state.

Our goal is to not be here all the time. We are meant to fluctuate between states, with flexibility. It’s when we get stuck in a survival state, and can’t access the safe/connected place that we need help coming home to the ventral vagal state.

Triggers activate either the sympathetic nervous system or the dorsal vagal branch of the parasympathetic nervous system. This means that when trauma is trapped in our system, we go into a hyper-vigilant state, or our freeze response is activated, and we shut down. Neither is a healthy place to exist in for an extended period.

But glimmers are guided by our ventral vagal system. These make us feel safe, connected to ourselves and other people. Calling attention to our glimmers can bring a return to autonomic regulation, creating a meaningful shift in perspective.

Certain smells, places and people and so on activate us into a sympathetic response (our fight or flight response) or the parasympathetic response connected to the dorsal vagal (our freeze or collapse response).

Certain smells, places and people and so on can also activate us into our ventral vagal, the safe and connected zone of our parasympathetic nervous system. Those are our glimmers!

-What people, places, feelings, smells, sensations glimmer me back into feeling safe and connected?

-What glimmers are most effective when I am in a survival state?

-Which ones get me home from fight? Flight? Freeze? Submit?

Customer Centric Approach Vs. Employee Centric Approach?

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 12:50:07 GMT

Customer Centric Approach

Vs.

Employee Centric Approach?

Companies often focus on being customer centric with the golden tag line “we put our customers first."

Firstly, we’d be worried if a company didn’t put their customer first!? And secondly, what’s the best way to put customers first?

Don’t employees look after your customers? Therefore looking after your employees means in turn they’ll look after your customers?

"Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” –Richard Branson

How to keep your people engaged and connected?

The aim is to learn to create personalised employee journeys as one size does not fit all. If the pandemic has taught us anything in regards to employee engagement it’s just how different we are with our working lives. Ultimately what’s important to you will not be important to your colleague and an employee’s life stage will greatly impact these factors.

What does each employee need?
Where is the best place to engage?
How are they actually engaging?
When is the right time to engage?

How to implement this strategy?

Design employee journeys – create joyous experiences around big and small employee moments
Create impactful content – create effective and engaging content formatted for any delivery method
Right audience, right time – target the right employees with the right messages to create true engagement
Multi-channel delivery – reach each employee on their preferred mode of consumption

And most of all, listen, listen, listen!

The needs and wants of your employees will change. Expect the employee journey to be ever-evolving as we are all human beings at the end of the day and designed even biologically, from our smallest cells, to grow and develop.

As a company you must therefore grow and develop with your workforce supporting employee's personal and professional milestones, truly unique to them, allowing your business to keep top talent engaged and connected.

Corporate Leadership Failing to Act on Mental Health?

Mon, 30 May 2022 17:14:37 GMT

Corporate Leadership Failing to Act on Mental Health?

Analysis of company reports from FTSE 100 companies, conducted by CCLA , found most companies now acknowledge mental health as an important business issue… yet just over a third report that they have set objectives and targets on mental health, and only 11% disclose any related key performance indicators.

The estimated cost to business of mental ill-health was £33bn–£42bn each year. In 2020–21, that has risen to £53bn–56bn each year. The human cost, especially during the pandemic, has been equally damaging.

44% of companies have published clear commitments to promoting a culture of openness on mental health. Yet only one in three company CEOs are signalling leadership commitment to mental health.

Only one-third of companies recognise the link between ‘good work’ principles and mental health. These principles include diversity, equality and inclusion, flexible working and job adjustment, and fair pay and financial security.

Two-thirds of companies assessed have yet to publish formal objectives aimed at improving workplace mental health. Only 34% of companies publish formal objectives and targets, highlighting that many have not yet translated their policy commitments into action.

Companies need to strengthen their governance and management processes if they are to sustain a strategic focus on workplace mental health. 43% of companies demonstrate that they have assigned board oversight for mental health, but only 23% evidence that they have assigned operational management responsibility for mental health.

There is no shortage of workplace initiatives on mental health. Three-quarters of companies assessed have developed workplace initiatives… however, reporting on the uptake of these schemes is lagging, which makes it difficult to measure their effectiveness.

Where to Start According to the CCLA ?

Acknowledge workplace mental health as an important business issue.
Signal board and senior management commitment to promoting mental health in the workplace, recognise the link between mental health and ‘good work’, and encourage a culture of openness.
Publish a mental health policy statement and make clear the governance and management processes in place to ensure it is implemented.
Set objectives and targets to improve workplace mental health.
Report annually on progress.

15 Signs You Should Check In On Someone's Mental Health

PH916516 — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:29:51 GMT

15 Signs You Should Check In On Someone's Mental Health

They have socially withdrawn

2. They're going through a difficult life event (e.g. unemployment, divorce)

3. They're acting out of character (e.g. "snapping" easily)

4. They're behaving recklessly

5. They talk bleakly about the future

6. They have mentioned sleep difficulties

7. They're emotionally distant and brush things off with short responses

8. They breakdown over "little things"

9. They appear "on edge" (e.g. eyes darting around the room, they're not sitting back relaxed)

10. They require more downtime or are less outgoing

11. They struggle to make eye contact

12. They say "I'm tired" a lot

13. They are disengaged from conversation - especially if the subject is something they'd ordinarily be passionate about

14. They have big fluctuations in appetite (e.g. not eating at all)

15. They are constantly "busy" or express being overwhelmed by things (e.g. work, life events)

How to Hack Your Happy Hormones?

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 22:56:08 GMT

How to Hack Your Happy Hormones?

Oxytocin

"Bonding hormone" - released when we feel connected to people.

Pet your dog/cat
Give someone a hug
Cook for a loved one
Hold hands

Serotonin

Mood stabiliser that improves sleep, reduces anxiety and increases happiness.

Get some sunshine
Go for a walk
Practice meditation
Do some cardio

Endorphins

The brain's natural painkiller - reduces stress and increases pleasure.

Do some exercise
Burn essential oils
Eat dark chocolate
Watch some comedy

Dopamine

The "feel good" neurotransmitter that drives your brain's reward system.

Listen to upbeat music
Eat a sweet treat
Get a good night's sleep
Complete a small task

The 21-Day Mindfulness Challenge!

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 14:46:42 GMT

The 21-Day Mindfulness Challenge

“A Wandering Mind is an Unhappy Mind..." (Matthew A. Killingsworth)

Pillars of an Unhealthy Mind

Distractibility – unfocused on what we’re doing – attention deficit
Loneliness – affects physical health - earlier mortality than obesity in the US!
Negative self-talk – negative beliefs – “The Narrative Network” – the story of me starring me!
Loss of meaning and purpose in life

Pillars of a Healthy Mind

Awareness – capacity to focus attention - meta-awareness, knowing what our mind’s are doing (re-reading a page in a book e.g. lapse in meta-awareness)
Connection – nurture interpersonal relationships (compassion, kindness etc.)
Insight – changing our relationship to “The Narrative Network” (not the narrative itself, look at the narrative and see it for what it is, it's a constellation of thoughts - give yourself breathing room)
Purpose – life headed in a particular direction

*Richard J. Davidson, Psychologist and Neuroscientist

The Art of Living - Bringing it Back to the Present Moment!

Train our Minds: Shift Perception, Awareness, Consciousness

Types of Learning with our Brains:

Declarative learning – conscious recollection – texts – facts – rules for mathematical equations- learning happens quickly
Procedural Learning – unconscious recollection - acquisition of motor skills and habits e.g. riding a bike/learning how to use a computer keyboard/playing an instrument

Neuroplasticity

“The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganisation. These changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections, to systematic adjustments like cortical remapping”.

Growth of new neurons in response to repeated practice - wiring in the brain IS adaptable!

Research showed within 2 weeks of training/ 30 mins per day = MRI scanner can note the change!

Prefrontal Cortex/ Ventral Striatum strengthened – circuit important for positive emotions!

Benefits of Mindfulness?

-Relieve stress and anxiety

-Lower blood pressure

-Reduce chronic pain

-Deeper sleep with reduced disturbances

-Decrease negative feelings such as anger/tension

-Alleviate gastrointestinal issues

Duration: 15 minutes for 21 days!

Where: Zoom

Find out more by emailing us: info@soulsanity.io

Soul Sanity Blog

The Big Mental Health Report 2025: A Nation at Breaking Point

The Big Mental Health Report 2025: A Nation at Breaking Point

Key Findings from the Report

1. Demand Is Exploding—But Services Can’t Cope

2. The Inequality Gap Is Widening

3. Work Is Now a Major Source of Distress

4. Prevention Beats Cure—But Funding Is Going Backwards

5. A National Plan for Mental Health Equity

A Call to Rebuild

Nature vs. Nurture - What Shapes Who We Are?

The Takeaway

The Future of Progress: Inside Oxford’s 2025 Wellbeing Revolution

The Future of Progress: Inside Oxford’s 2025 Wellbeing Revolution

Key Insights from the 2025 Report

1. Wellbeing Science Goes Mainstream

2. Workplace Wellbeing = Performance

3. AI Predicts Happiness Better Than Humans

4. The Gender Wellbeing Gap Widens

5. Policy with Purpose

Redefining Success

Workforce Wellbeing: What the Latest CIPD Report Tells Us

World Mental Health Day

What World Mental Health Day Brings to Life

Structure vs. Spontaneity

Practical ways to blend structure and spontaneity

Creativity & Mental Health

Practical ways to nurture creativity without burnout ﻿

World Suicide Prevention Day

Friendships and Well-being

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Kindness and Compassion Benefit Your Brain

The Nervous System, Triggers & Glimmers!

Customer Centric Approach Vs. Employee Centric Approach?

Customer Centric Approach

Vs.

Employee Centric Approach?

Corporate Leadership Failing to Act on Mental Health?

Corporate Leadership Failing to Act on Mental Health?

15 Signs You Should Check In On Someone's Mental Health

15 Signs You Should Check In On Someone's Mental Health

How to Hack Your Happy Hormones?

How to Hack Your Happy Hormones?

The 21-Day Mindfulness Challenge!

The 21-Day Mindfulness Challenge

Practical ways to nurture creativity without burnout