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One Word Instead of a Resolution

Calling Bullshit on New Year's Resolutions...

January often begins with exhaustion rather than motivation — especially for people with busy brains.

In this short, reflective episode of Something for the Busy Brain, Ben Cook gently challenges the idea of New Year’s resolutions and offers a calmer, more achievable alternative: focusing on how you want to feel, rather than what you think you should achieve.

If you feel overstimulated, peopled-out, or overwhelmed as routines return, this episode is a grounding pause — a simple anchor to help you start the year with more compassion and less pressure.

About the host:
Ben Cook is a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
Ben offers a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find his contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching

ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

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This is a highly practical, actionable episode, with advice, guidance and hacks to help busy-brained individuals like him develop their own 'Toolbox of Calm'.

Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, he encourages listeners to explore various approaches to calm, including writing, sensory experiences, and playful activities. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to start building their own toolbox of calm today.

Ben refers to a headache/stress cap available on Amazon below:

https://amzn.eu/d/eSsqaDb

Takeaways

• Calm is learnable
• Finding personal strategies is essential for relaxation.
• It's important to adapt techniques to fit your unique brain wiring.
• Writing can help regulate emotions and clarify thoughts.
• Sensory experiences can enhance relaxation and calmness.
• Building a toolbox of options can support resilience.
• Exploring different environments can help find calm.
• Engaging in activities with others can enhance the experience of calm.
• Starting small can lead to significant changes in well-being.

Sound Bites

• "Calm is learnable."
• "You need to set the terms."
• "Find what works for you."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Building Calm

05:54
Finding Personal Calm Strategies

10:14
Practical Tools for Decompression

16:57
Exploring Sensory Experiences

20:59
Building Your Toolbox of Calm

26:49
Conclusion and Call to Action

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Ben welcomes his first guest James Hansen, addictions counsellor, ADHD life coach and founder of the Escape the Chaos programme:

https://www.escape-the-chaos.co.uk/

In a powerfully honest and raw episode, Ben and James discuss the complexities of alcohol consumption, from the role it plays, to societal expectations, the damage to our mental health, and the importance of connection.

James shares his personal journey with alcohol, the impact of his family background, and how he navigates social situations without drinking.

They emphasise the need for self-awareness, planning, and support in making healthier choices regarding alcohol. The episode provides practical advice and support in navigating our lives with or without alcohol.

busybrain, somethingforthebusybrain, goodtothinkdifferently, boundaries, mentalhealth, selfawareness, alcohol, sobriety, connection, adhd, adhdcoach, lifecoach, bencook, addiction, support, ADHD, recovery

Takeaways

Connection with others is crucial for mental health.
Alcohol can serve as a depressant, impacting mood.
Planning ahead can help manage alcohol consumption.
It's important to set healthy boundaries around drinking.
Self-awareness plays a key role in making choices about alcohol.
The societal expectation to drink can create pressure.
Support from friends can help in social situations.
Understanding personal triggers is essential for managing alcohol use.
Creating a life worth living involves developing healthy habits.
The opposite of addiction is connection, not sobriety.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
04:54 James Hansen's Journey with Alcohol
10:02 The Impact of Family and Environment on Alcohol Use
15:01 Understanding Alcohol's Role in Mental Health
19:49 Navigating Social Situations and Alcohol Consumption
25:03 Strategies for Healthy Boundaries and Support
29:58 The Importance of Connection Over Alcohol
34:56 Planning Ahead for Alcohol-Free Experiences
40:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners

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Ben discusses the importance of self-reflection and understanding yourself, especially during reflective times like Christmas. He emphasises the need to invest in yourself, connect with the REAL you, and utilise tools available for self-discovery. This episode highlights that knowing your needs and emotions is crucial for a fulfilling life.

Self-discovery resources recommended in this episode are: 16personalities.com, viacharacter.org, high5test.com, thevaluesbridge.com, scottjeffrey.com and the Clifton Strengths Assessment on gallup.com.

#busybrain #somethingforthebusybrain #goodtothinkdifferently #selfreflection #personalgrowth #mentalhealth #selfawareness #happiness #investinginyourself #emotionalwellbeing #connection #adhd #adhdcoach #lifecoach #switchingoff #bencook

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Ben shares the story behind Something for the Busy Brain — why his mind has always been loud, how burnout shaped his path, and why understanding your busy brain is the key to unlocking your potential.

**Tags:**
Mental Health, ADHD, Emotional Wellbeing, Overwhelm, Personal Development, Podcast, Self-Help, Resilience, Busy Brain, Coaching.