HELPFUL VIDEOS
~ GENERAL ~
The Values-Focused vs The Goals-Focused Life – Dr Russ Harris
Will getting that great job or house really make you happier? In this fun & entertaining video, Dr. Russ Harris, Acceptance & Commitment Therapist, explains the important distinction between living a goals-focused vs a values-focused life... and why living in accordance with your innermost values can lead to a more rich, full, and meaningful life.
~ BODY AND BRAIN ~
The Main 3 Parts of Our Brain – Dr Russ Harris
If you put your thumb in the middle of your palm and then curl your fingers over the top, you’ll have a pretty handy model of the brain. The face of the person is in front of the knuckles, the back of the head toward the back of your hand. Your wrist represents the spinal cord, rising from your backbone, upon which the brain sits. If you lift up your fingers and raise your thumb, you’ll see the inner brainstem represented in your palm. Place your thumb back down and you’ll see the approximate location of the limbic area. Now curl your fingers back over the top, and your cortex is in place.
The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System – Dr Russ Harris
A short video explaining the main differences between The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems.
~ EMOTIONS ~
(including worry, anxiety, depression, grief and loss)
The 3 Happiness Myths – Dr Russ Harris
This entertaining animation illustrates the 3 happiness myths that we have been lead to believe, involving our thoughts and feelings.
The Search for Happiness - Dr Russ Harris & Anna Box
Everyone searches for happiness, but is it realistic to be happy 100% of the time? How do we cope when life doesn't make us happy?
The Struggle Switch - By Dr Russ Harris
The more we try to fight difficult feelings, the more they smother us. Now, why should this be? Well, imagine that at the back of your mind is a switch – the “struggle switch.” When it’s switched on, it means we’re going to struggle against any physical or emotional pain that comes our way; whatever discomfort we experience, we’ll try to get rid of it or avoid it.
Internal Struggles - By Dr Russ Harris
This entertaining animation illustrates the internal struggles we have with our thoughts and feelings, and how to step out of them. Be more like the chessboard.
The Choice Point - By Dr Russ Harris
A purposeful way of living guided by your innermost values and desires, which in turn can lead to a more rich, full, and meaningful life.
~ HEALTH ~
(including pain)
Understanding Pain in Less Than 5 Minutes – And What To Do About It!
This is a great, easy to follow video about chronic pain. It helps you understand what current research has been saying about chronic pain - that it’s not a joint or muscle problem, rather a 're-wiring' of the brain perception of itself. In other words, the brain has become more sensitive than before.
~ SELF-COMPASSION ~
The Art and Science of Self-Compassion – By Dr Russ Harris & Dennis Tirch (3 Part Interview)
Self-compassion is an important source of happiness and psychological well-being. However, self-compassion asks us to ‘turn towards’ our suffering, which can be difficult for all of us. Self-compassion consists of three main elements : self-kindness vs self-judgment, common humanity vs isolation, and mindfulness vs over-identification with suffering.
~ TRAUMA ~
Evolutionary Roots - By Dr Russ Harris
Understanding trauma and automatic responses.
~ VULNERABILITY ~
The Power of Vulnerability – By Brené Brown on TedX
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.