Is "toxic positivity" ruining your mental health? In this episode, we speak to former UK government Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr. Alex George, and psychotherapist and author Anna Mathur to dismantle the pressure to be happy all the time and explore the science of finding joy in the small things.

We discuss the difference between dopamine hits and true happiness, why we wear "masks" to hide depression, and the biology behind stress and joy. Plus, Dr. Alex and Anna share actionable tools - like Alex’s brilliantly simple “2 minute rule” and cognitive reframing techniques - to help you build mental fitness, manage ADHD, and combat loneliness.

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Timecodes

00:00 The Role of Negative Emotions

00:51 Is Happiness Just Hormones?

01:29 Why Stress Blocks Joy (Fight or Flight)

02:14 Cortisol vs Serotonin

02:52 Dopamine Hits vs True Joy

03:41 The Dangers of Toxic Positivity

04:08 Depression and Wearing the "Mask"

05:27 Dr. Alex on ADHD & Vulnerability

06:55 Antidepressants and Breaking Stigma

08:05 The Loneliness of Hiding Feelings

09:28 Men's Mental Health & Fear of Abandonment

11:42 Mental Fitness vs. Mental Illness

13:43 Childhood Trauma & Suppressing Emotions

16:47 Neuroplasticity: Can We Rewire Our Brains?

18:32 Motivation vs. Discipline

19:55 Overcoming Self-Sabotage

22:26 Letting Go of Perfectionism

24:17 Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic

27:32 Decision Fatigue & Social Media Burnout

28:44 The Problem with Gratitude (And How to Fix It)

33:14 The 2-Minute Rule (ADHD Hack)

34:55 How to Build Healthy Habits (The Snowball Effect)

36:26 Reframing: "I Have To" vs. "I Get To"

39:20 Wellness Non-Negotiables: Rest & Nature

More from today’s guests:

Dr Alex’s new book ‘Happy Habits’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Habits-Steps-Build-Life/dp/0241771463

Anna’s new book ‘The Good Decision Diary’ | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Decision-Diary-making-decisions/dp/0241707226

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