Mental health, a quarter of the population is affected by it at some stage in their lives. It’s been an issue since the dawn of time, but only in recent years have we managed to start breaking down the taboo that leaves many people afraid to seek help.
Thankfully, it’s now becoming part of our national conversation, with high profile media campaigns pushing to make mental health a part of the national curriculum, as well as funding for mental health going up by £1.4 billion compared to 3 years ago. We’re definitely seeing strides towards positive change.
Despite this, the pandemic has put the nation through the ringer and now more than ever we are seeking accessible ways to keep our minds happy and healthy. One of our favourite self care routines is to simply go out for some fresh air and brisk walk while listening to an uplifting or mindful podcast.
There’s a myriad of mental health podcasts out there and we highly recommend you get listening! To give you some inspiration on where to start, we’ve taken some time to collate our favorite few.
We hope they provide you with some food for thought and help you as they helped us.
Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee on Apple Podcasts
Celebrity GP and bestselling author Dr Rangan Chatterjee speaks to an array of health experts and wellness personalities about their life hacks and advice on how we can live and feel better. From the ‘Power of Positivity’ to ‘Sleep Improvement’ techniques, Dr Rangan provides some great knowledge and tips in order to help boost your mood.
Mentally Yours podcast from Metro.co.uk
Mentally Yours is a very well established UK mental health podcast from the Metro news stable. Ellen Scott and Yvette Caster speak to people from all walks of life who have lived with mental illness and found ways of living with and challenging the stigma.
The BBC’s radio show & podcast covers all aspects of psychology, neuroscience and mental health. Presented by psychologist and broadcaster Claudio Hammond, who shares the ways that psychological and medical research can help us in our everyday lives. A great listen from a more scientific perspective instead of the subjective emotion of the others in our list.
TV presenter and broadcaster Fearne Cotton roster of guests reads like a who’s who of mental health awareness & self help in the UK; Matt Haig, Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax, Jay Shetty etc – all get 60 minutes to tell their story and inspire us with their daily habits.
Currently on sabbatical, Bryony Gordon’’s mental health podcast by The Telegraph, launched in 2017 with some very big names, Prince Harry being her first interviewee. Since then she has delved into the backstories of a variety of guests to discuss how their mental health has been affected by events in their own lives. A strong back catalogue of names to pick through until the next series returns.
The Hilarious World of Depression
As we venture into the vast world of US podcasts about mental health, The Hilarious World of Depression is presented by public radio show host John Moe, who speaks to comedians and media personalities about their journeys with depression.
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown | Podcast on Spotify
With a Netflix special and a cool 50 million+ views of her seminal Ted Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, Brené Brown has hosted this Spotify podcast since early 2020 and supported a lot of people all the way through the pandemic. Expect big name US personalities and thought leaders discussing their emotional experiences and journeys in a raw and powerful way.
Podcast: The Stubborn Light of Things – Melissa Harrison
Nature writer Melissa Harison started her podcast at the very beginning of the Spring lockdown in the UK. It’s a beautiful listen that transports you away from your desk and out into nature, especially helpful in the depths of winter. Her regular show highlights the healing power of nature for your overall mental wellness. Best listened to while also on a country walk
Other podcasts of note.
