The Psychology of your 20s

445. Your guide to nervous system regulation

Tips for nervous system regulation are everywhere right now - from breathwork and cold plunges to conversations about burnout, anxiety, and trauma. But what does it actually mean to be regulated, and are we sometimes turning healing into another thing to obsess over? In this episode, we take a grounded, research-informed look at what your nervous system is really trying to do, why fight-or-flight is not the enemy, and how stress, trauma, lifestyle, and hypersensitivity can shape the way we feel in our bodies. We explore:• What the window of tolerance can teach us about overwhelm and shutdown• Why your nervous system is trying to protect you• The role of trauma, chronic stress, and lifestyle factors in dysregulation• What a regulated nervous system can actually feel like • How hypersensitivity can keep us stuck in symptom-monitoring• Why sleep, safety, nourishment, connection, and routine matter more than expensive wellness tools Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.4/jbremnerhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789413000191?via%3Dihubhttps://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/44/6/zsaa289/6053003https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTJAjx-AGAoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

444. The psychology of angel numbers

Angel numbers have a way of showing up just when we need them. 111 symbolises new beginnings. 444 means divine protection. Why does our mind pay such close attention to these numbers, what is the history, and what is their impact from a psychological standpoint? In today's episode, we break down: The ancient origins of angel numbers Why the founder of angel numbers now regrets them The meaning behind some of the most significant angel numbers Why our brain pays close attention to symbolism The emotional comfort of angel numbers Why people feel threatened by angel numbers When angel numbers can become harmful Happy listening! Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

443. How to be more interesting

I think we all instinctively know if we find someone interesting… or not. But how can we cultivate the skills of being interesting to others? In this episode, we break down the science behind what makes people interesting, talk about some easy things we can all do to tap into what already makes us unique, and focus on one of life’s greatest conversational hacks - learning how to be truly interested in others. We explore: • Why we all love interesting people • How ‘digital saturation’ is making us more bored, and boring• The importance of asking open-ended questions to unlock better conversations• Why being truly unique is a status symbol • The power of learning to talk to strangers• Why social skills are actually just social courage Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://tedbauer.medium.com/are-people-more-boring-now-98105e03e20c https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12130-004 https://thevectorimpact.com/how-to-be-more-interesting/ The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

442. The psychology of insecurity

If anyone tells you that they’re not even a little bit insecure, they’re lying, in denial, or both. It’s a fact of life that we all feel insecure at times - about how we look, behave, our achievements, and whether we are liked by others. In this episode, we examine the psychology behind common insecurities, recognise how we can be our own worst enemies, and consider the ways we can come to accept that we are all flawed, and might not actually need ‘fixing’. We unpack: • The surprising evolutionary benefits that come with insecurity• How our levels of insecurity change throughout our lives• The ‘liking gap’, and why we think others like us less than they do • How being insecure can feed insecurity, in a vicious cycle • Why people pleasing and over confidence are often signs of insecurity • How we can address insecurities that negatively impact our lives Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/insecurity-leads-us-underestimate-how-much-others-us https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228079585_Self-Esteem_Development_Across_the_Lifespan https://www.centerforanxiety.org/what-is-hyper-independence-is-it-a-bad-thing/ The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The psychology of uncertainty

Uncertainty is the defining emotion of our 20s. Career paths, relationships, identity, purpose ... so much of this decade is marked by not knowing. Does that have to be as uncomfortable as we think it does? In today’s episode, we unpack the psychology of uncertainty: why our brains fear it, how it triggers anxiety and avoidance, and why trying to “figure it all out” might be doing more harm than good. We explore: The neuroscience behind our discomfort with the unknown Why perfectionism is often a mask for our fear of uncertainty The cultural myths that make us believe we need a step-by-step life plan How to assign meaning to uncertainty and build resilience through it Practical strategies to take action even when the future feels unclear If you've never felt more confused than you do now, and are unsure 'what's next', this episode is for you. Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.