The Real Reason You’re Exhausted: How To Gain Control of Your Time & Your Life

It’s time to get off the hamster wheel that’s leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed.

If the idea of “doing nothing” feels almost painful and you feel uncomfortable when you’re not busy, this episode is the wake-up call you need. 

Today, Mel unpacks one of the most common addictions that you probably have never heard of before: the addiction to busyness and stress.

Here to give more research and advice is Dr. Scott Lyons, a medical doctor, psychologist, and world-renowned trauma expert. 

Dr. Lyons explains why overscheduling every second of your day and constantly feeling “not enough” unless stretched to the limit is keeping you disconnected.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable steps to break free from the cycle and regain control of your time, energy, and peace of mind.

If you liked this empowering and insightful episode, listen to this one next: #1 Stress Doctor: 5 Tools to Protect Your Brain From Stress & Feel Calmer Now

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‍In this episode:

• 8:45: Why busyness feels impossible to quit these days. 
• 11:38: Signs you’re addicted to stress, according to a top psychologist.
• 14:31: The shocking truth: research reveals busyness doesn’t equal productivity.
• 16:42: What’s really fueling your addiction to busyness?
• 23:13: Don’t ask “why the addiction”—ask “why the pain.”
• 25:33: How an addiction to busyness compares to other types of addiction. 
• 33:21: Ready to evaluate your relationship with busyness? Start with these prompts.
• 38:33: It’s time to flip the switch: break free from the cycle of busyness.
• 41:14: Feeling like life is spinning out of control? Here’s what you can do right now.
• 48:59: You don’t need to prove yourself to be worthy of love.
• 52:37: Practical steps to heal your addiction to busyness.
• 57:04: Steal this simple exercise to challenge your addiction to stress.
• 1:00:10: Want to help someone addicted to stress? The surprising way to show support.

‍Featured Expert: Dr. Scott Lyons, PhD

• Check out this website here.
• Follow him on Instagram here.
• Catch his wisdom on his YouTube channel here.
• Be sure to grab his book, Addicted to Drama, here.
• Check out his course on Somatic Stress Release here.

‍Additional Resources: 

• World Health Organization: Stress
• Harvard Business Review: A Workaholic’s Guide to Reclaiming Your Life
• David Foster Wallace: 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech
• Annual Review of Psychology: Self-Regulation at Work
• Scientific American: Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime 
• Journal of Business and Psychology: Why Do People (Not) Take Breaks? An Investigation of Individuals' Reasons for Taking and for Not Taking Breaks at Work
• Psychosomatic Medicine: Stress and Addiction: When a Robust Stress Response Indicates Resiliency
• CNBC: Harvard-trained psychologist shares 3 signs you’re addicted to stress
• Forbes: Busyness Is Our Worst Addiction
• American Psychological Association: Stress effects on the body
• Ted-Ed: How stress affects your body
• Harvard Business Review: How to Fix Your Company’s Culture of Overwork
• Addiction Center:  Phone Addiction: Warning Signs And Treatment
• The New York Times: Do Not Disturb: How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain
• International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health: Smartphone Addiction and Associated Health Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review
• American Psychological Association: Managing stress: Use these 5 quick videos based in science to center yourself
• Wall Street Journal: Fix Burnout—Without Blowing Up Your Life‍
• Frontiers in Psychology: Resilience and Stress as Mediators in the Relationship of Mindfulness and Happiness