Why, oh why, is it so hard to rest?! We know we need rest and relaxation and sleep and all of that good stuff, so why can’t we just do it? It sounds so simple, and it should be so easy, yet many of us feel like we are actively struggling to rest.

If you also find it easier to multi-task a dozen projects than to relax for even 10 minutes then this episode is for you. Join us as we discuss: why rest can be so difficult; how to take the pressure off with a shift in perspective; and possible solutions that address some of the root causes of restlessness.

If you’re enjoying the podcast we’d love it if you could help us spread the word by telling your friends, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a rating or review. If you’d like to support us on Patreon we are at www.patreon.com/differentfunctional Thanks so much for listening and remember, different does not mean defective.

Mindfulness is one of those pop psychology suggestions we’re often recommended for stress relief, and while its benefits are also historically well-rooted in various cultural and spiritual practices it’s not always as easy as it seems like it should be. Similar to meditation, it’s a classic example of “simple, not easy”. In this episode, we’re exploring the idea of mindfulness on a personal level as we try to understand why Autumn has such a contentious relationship with it, and we seek to troubleshoot ways that the practice could be adapted to be more user-friendly for an individual.

If you’re enjoying the podcast we’d love it if you could help us spread the word by telling your friends, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a rating or review. If you’d like to support us on Patreon we are at www.patreon.com/differentfunctional Thanks so much for listening and remember, different does not mean defective.

We’re starting back up after our hiatus on a more serious note, so we’ll give you the trigger warning that this episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation. It won’t be all doom and gloom though. While we are discussing depression and the struggles that lead to self-destructive thoughts our goal in this episode is to find ways to quiet the noise and find reasons to keep going. If you’ve ever experienced these thoughts yourself then you know clichés and toxic positivity generally aren’t enough, and they can even leave you feeling frustrated, invalidated, and even more alone.

We’ve been there ourselves and we know how painful, difficult, and isolating it is to experience these thoughts and feelings. Join us as we react to some of the advice the internet has to offer and give our opinions on whether or not it’s actually effective. There will be some serious discussion, some heartfelt moments, and a little bit of gallows humor, and we hope it will help you feel less alone and less stigmatized.

If you are struggling with suicidal ideation right now, please don’t feel like you have to suffer in silence. Please find trusted people that you can talk to and lean on for support. If that feels too intimidating or you don’t feel like you have anyone in your life you can discuss this with, please contact the suicide hotline in your area, the phone number to call or text in the USA is 988. Stay with us. There are reasons to keep going even if you can’t see them right now.

A lot has changed since we first started the podcast so we figured it was time to reintroduce ourselves.

It's time for a candid talk about where the podcast has been and where it's headed. While we're still holding true to our core values and goals we are also overhauling some things about the podcast, so we'll be taking off the month of July so that we can reset, recalibrate, and make some important changes happen. Thanks for being here and supporting us and we'll see you in August!

Join us for a romp and a rant through the five senses and explore with us all of the various ways we can become overloaded by our sensory experience of the world. If you’ve ever felt sensorily overstimulated into a state of rage, tearfulness, or catatonia you’re not alone. If you’ve ever been treated like a crazy person for feeling overwhelmed by sights, sounds, and textures that other people don’t even seem to notice then this is the episode for you.

If you’re enjoying the podcast we’d love it if you could help us spread the word by telling your friends, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a rating or review. If you’d like to support us on Patreon we are at www.patreon.com/differentfunctional Thanks so much for listening and remember, different does not mean defective.

How often do you hear that “exercise is important”, and that you should “get more active” or “work on your relationship with movement”? If you had a penny for each time you’ve heard those kinds of phrases from social media influencers, magazine covers, doctors, family, or friends you could probably for a year’s worth of gym membership fees up front. I mean, thanks for the super vague advice but what does that really mean? Even if you want to get more physically active, how do you get started? What’s classified as exercise? Do you need to go to the gym? Why is increasing activity even so important to begin with? Is the adage “no pain, no gain” true when it comes to improving your fitness?

Join us as we discuss some answers to these, and many other, questions; and explore a few different types of exercise, along with their various benefits and warning labels. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed, confused, or possibly even triggered by the mere idea of exercise, we’re here to help make it all a little less daunting.

If you’re enjoying the podcast we’d love it if you could help us spread the word by telling your friends, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a rating or review. If you’d like to support us on Patreon we are at www.patreon.com/differentfunctional Thanks so much for listening and remember, different does not mean defective.

Spring is here for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, and as the weather starts to warm up it becomes uncomfortably obvious just how extra dependent we were on our digital devices to get us through the cold, winter months. Honestly, regardless of the time of year, most of us are probably on our devices too much; it’s hard not to be when nearly everything we use is now digital, from our forms of entertainment to our work to the many tools we use to keep our daily lives running smoothly.

We don’t want to villainize all technology, but we do still need to admit that there are some real downsides to being constantly barraged by screens at every turn. So how do we pull back a little from our digital dependency? Join us as we discuss some realistic tips and tricks that will enable you to find more balance and engage more actively with the people and world around you.

If you’re enjoying the podcast we’d love it if you could help us spread the word by telling your friends, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a rating or review. If you’d like to support us on Patreon we are at www.patreon.com/differentfunctional