Show Notes
Terror Management Theory is one of Psychology’s ”Grand Theories”, explaining how existential terror influences decision making and choices. This is my contribution to an observation that we are moving into a time of more right leaning politics. Change can be hard to manage and mean that dysregulated nervous systems struggle more. Download five strategies to help soothe a nervous system:
More from Just a Minute with Dr Kumari
Why is it so hard to make a decision without second-guessing ourselves? Dr Kumari Valentine explores how perfectionism, fear of mistakes and our need for certainty can keep us stuck in overthinking—and how we can learn to make thoughtful decisions without needing to know exactly how things will turn out.
Why does overthinking get worse when we’re exhausted? Dr Kumari explores how stress, sleep and our bodies influence repetitive thinking — and why sometimes the answer isn’t to think harder, but to care for ourselves differently.
Why do you overthink whether people like you? Dr Kumari explores the link between rejection sensitivity and rumination, with a gentle practice to help you respond to uncertainty with clarity and self-compassion.
Journaling can help us process difficult experiences — but sometimes it simply becomes overthinking on paper.
Why is it so easy to dwell on what went wrong, but so hard to linger on what feels good? This episode explores the psychology of savouring, why we sometimes dampen joy, and how we might learn to let the good moments stay a little longer.