Why I love podcasts and how listening to them can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
As you discover this blog you will notice how important it is to me to improve my mental health and wellbeing. And to support others to improve their wellbeing too.
I love podcasts. Maybe it’s the informal nature. Or that feeling you are eavesdropping on a casual or sometimes deep and meaningful conversation. My podcast obsession mainly focuses on the topic of mental health and well-being.
This post will explore why podcasts are the best form of self-help, in my opinion. And encourage you to think about how you can improve your wellbeing by listening to podcasts.
Where it all began
At work, it would become a running joke that I would start most conversations with the introduction, “I’ve been listening to this podcast…” As I began listening to more podcast episodes I began to build a toolkit of resources to support and improve not only my mental health but also the mental health and well-being of the young people I was supporting.
Since giving up my job to become a stay-at-home mum, time spent listening to podcasts decreased dramatically. As my listening hours reduced, so did my good mood, feelings of fulfilment, and worth. Now I’m not saying that it was purely the impact of no longer listening to podcasts that impacted my well-being. Many things contributed to that, all of which we’ll discuss along the way to Finding Me at Forty. But listening to podcasts does help me to regulate my mood and address my mindset.
To learn something new lights a fire within me. It increases my worth and purpose. These are the two things that my heart strives for most. Also, ‘Keep Learning’ is one of the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ (more on that soon).
If you have never listened to podcasts before, I urge you to give them a try. Here are all the reasons I think you can improve your wellbeing by listening to podcasts.
Increase your productivity
My favourite way to listen to a podcast is while I am driving. Or to pop in my headphones and listen while I clean my home. As a recovering perfectionist, I feel lazy if I’m not doing something or being productive. By the way, neither of these beliefs are helpful (we are all a work in progress). But I also find it hard to fit in time for me.
Making better use of my time driving to and from work, was my initial incentive for listening to podcasts. I was sure I could do more with that precious time, and this is where my obsession began. Perhaps, looking back, it wasn’t just about being productive. But about using my limited time for me; for pleasure and personal growth. Multi-tasking is a busy person’s best friend. Listening to podcasts while engaging in other tasks can not only increase your productivity. But also make those more mundane jobs more pleasurable and easy to bear.
Short and sweet
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good self-help book as much as the next person. But I rarely have time to sit down and read. I sometimes find by the time I get round to reading the next chapter, I’ve forgotten the last. Podcast episodes often range from around 30 minutes to an hour and a half. That’s a whole load of valuable information in a short space of time. Plus, you can also pick and choose different episodes from your favourite podcast series depending on how much time you have available.
No more beating yourself up for having left that book to gather dust for the last 9 months, 6 days, 3 hours, and 27 minutes. Yes, we are all counting because there is nothing we pay closer attention to than what we see as our failings. Additionally, you can start and stop a podcast episode as many times as you like. Not to worry if you’re kids are hungry for the 20th time in the last 10 minutes, pause, and pick up where you left off.
Great for auditory learners
According to Fleming’s VARK model, there are 4 different learning styles; Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, and Kinesthetic. I discovered this when I was training to be a primary school teacher and it has stuck with me ever since.
We all learn in our own way, but this model suggests four main learning styles. And that each of us has a preferred learning style. I have discovered that I am an Auditory learner, so podcasts are right up my street. I take in and recall the information I gain from podcasts and audiobooks way better than I do from reading text.
Find out more about the four learning styles and work out which one you are here.
Easy way to find authors you can relate to
Because of the accessibility and ease of switching from one podcast to another, without the commitment or cost you might associate with purchasing a book. It’s much easier to find authors and hosts you can relate to. When you do, you not only get to listen to a snippet of what they have to offer. But a myriad of episodes are accessible by your new favourite host, whom you find interesting and engaging.
It opens up a whole new world of inspiration
My favourite thing about podcasts is how listening to just one series that interests you, opens you up to a range of experts and information you may never have encountered. Podcast hosts often interview experts and special guests about their chosen topic. Therefore, you get to experience something and someone new regularly.
Through listening to podcasts, I have created a web of support from different resources and information from distinct authors. I find new experts whose content inspires me, supports my mental health and wellbeing, and encourages me to learn and develop.
An opening to dig deeper into the content you enjoy
As mentioned, I see podcasts as an introduction to different topics and authors. I often listen to audiobooks. However, now, I almost always listen to books by authors that I have discovered through podcasts. Listening to different experts discuss their passions through podcast episodes, helps me to acknowledge whose content and style I connect with. This means I have a good sense that the content I am digging deeper into will be right for me.
High energy and engaging
Most podcasts are down to earth and simple to understand. They use personal stories to connect with listeners, and have a conversational style. I think this is the main reason I am so fond of podcasts. It makes for uncomplicated and engaging listening. Like I am listening in on a deep discussion between friends.
Also, if my brain does wander or doesn’t grasp a concept right away, it’s simple to skip back a minute or two. I often listen to podcast episodes a couple of times if there is a certain piece of information I want to retain.
Easy to share with others
My What’s App conversations are full of links to podcast episodes I’ve sent or received. Whether that’s a link from my friend to a podcast episode about real self-care. Or a link sent to my husband about an episode on how to connect to teenagers. If you are improving your wellbeing by listening to listening to podcasts, and there is an episode you think would benefit others, all it takes to share is a click of a button. I think it is a low-pressure and non-invasive way of sharing information too. You’ve opened the gate for someone you care about to a world of knowledge. They can choose to step through, come back when ready, or leave that link in their conversation history never to be thought of again.
A myriad of wellbeing tools at your fingertips
So many podcast episodes are focussed on wellbeing, and mental and physical health. Many of which contain information about mental health resources and self-help tools that you can use to improve your wellbeing. They discuss the improvements you can make to your lifestyle. Whether that’s how to improve relationships or meet your basic needs.
Of course, we can get these tools from a book. But, I feel way more inspired by someone passionately sharing their story of their own or other’s experiences and how these were overcome. This is powerful and empowering. It motivates me to modify my lifestyle and mindset too.
If you’ve never listened to a podcast episode, I urge you to give it a go, what have you got to lose? There are thousands of series out there so something for everyone.
If you are not sure where to start when it comes to podcasts, you check out my Top 5 podcasts to improve wellbeing here.
And if you are a seasoned podcast listener, let me know in the comments…
What do you love about podcasts?
What impact do they have on your wellbeing?
I hope you enjoyed reading ‘Improve Your Wellbeing by Listening to Podcasts’.
Please support Finding Me at Forty and help me grow my audience by sharing posts you enjoy or find helpful. You can share this post via social media by clicking the buttons below.
Thank you x