With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to affect our everyday lives, many of us may be finding it hard to adjust to our slower-paced lifestyle. Absence of structure, physical activity and morning chats in the kitchen with our work pals can all have a serious impact on our mood as we learn to adapt to self-isolation.
But while we’ve been advised to stop all ‘non-essential contact’, this sudden extra downtime has presented the perfect opportunity to indulge in some good old, mood-boosting, cultural escapism – courtesy of podcasts.
Unlike other entertainment mediums, podcasts are a non-passive activity, meaning that the brain is engaged and attentive to the discussion – a great form of much-needed distraction. They’re also extremely accessible and portable, so you can continue to listen while you’re ticking off other tasks on your to-do list, like cooking, decluttering or completing a home-workout.
The most challenging part is deciding where to start. Whether you’re in need of a good laugh or some deep, serious soul searching, we’ve rounded up our edit of the best, mood-boosting podcasts to listen to now.
You’re Doing Great Sweetie!
If you’re feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with all life throws at you, this is the podcast you need. Hosts Melissa Mason and Josie Rozenberg-Clarke are honest, unfiltered and compassionate with their own real-life stories of failure, and sage advice. Covering everything from a lost libido to comparison syndrome, it’s a must-listen if you need an audio hug for the soul.
Listen here.
Good For You
Boasting a list of impressive celebrity guests like Kate Upton and Busy Phillips, Whitney Cummings, (the comedian famed for bringing us 2 Broke Girls), grills her A-list guests with a tonne of unexpected and leftfield questions that produce some hilarious answers. She also has a robot of herself – did we forget to mention that?
Listen here.
Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations
If you’re in the mood for some expert Oprah-worthy life advice, look to the queen of soulfulness herself. Each week, she is joined by celebrity pals like Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts, authors, thought-leaders, spiritual gurus and wellness experts to help us all take one step closer to being our best self.
Listen here.
Getting Curious
In typical Jonathan Van Ness style, no question is off-limits in his hit podcast, Getting Curious, where JVN does exactly that – questioning anything, and everything that interests him.
Listen here.
The Goop
While many of us may already be avid listeners of Gwyneth Paltrow’s hit wellness podcast, The Goop, their twice-weekly episodes are the perfect place to tune in for all things health and wellness, with leading industry experts to back it up. Plus, GP has one of the most calming voices; ever.
Listen here.
Things You Can’t Ask Yer Mum
Even as adults, there are still some things in life that we feel uncomfortable discussing with our mum. For conversations that are reserved ‘for the girls’, fashion influencers, Lizzy Hadfield and Lindsey Holland are delving into their personal experience to chat relationships, breakups, grief and more.
Listen here.
Happy Place
As the name suggests, this podcast is jampacked with positive life affirmations to help centre you and bring you peace of mind. Host Fearne Cotton chats to incredible celebrities like Jada Pickett Smith about what happiness means to them.
Listen here.
Table Manners
If you’re long overdue for a laugh, there’s nothing more hilarious than the conversations between musician Jessie Ware and her mum, Lennie – especially when A-list British celebrities like Nigella and Ed Sheeran are involved.
Listen here.
The Gurls Talk Podcast
We never thought it would be possible to love model Adwoa Aboah anymore, but her amazing ability to make you feel like you’re not alone in her podcast The Gurls Talk is truly remarkable – especially in these uncertain times. Alongside an impressive cast of other young women, the podcast discusses all topics from mental health, politics and race.
Listen here.
The Calmer You Podcast
Hypnotherapist, anxiety expert, author and host of The Calmer You Podcast, Chloe Brotheridge is full of handy tips and advice on managing anxiety, dealing with the overwhelming nature of modern life and just taking time out to breathe. Her calming voice is exactly what we need right now.
Listen here.
How To Fail
While it might sound counterintuitive, host Elizabeth Day has found the perfect way to help us celebrate and embrace the moments in our lives that haven’t quite gone to plan. The podcast shares stories from some of your favourite celebrities, who discuss how their ‘failures’ have helped lead to success.
Listen here.
This article originally appeared on InStyle.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
