But Are You Happy?

You’ll want to send this episode to your friends who are perpetually exhausted, overcommitted, or anyone whose version of "rest" is actually just deep scrolling on the couch while their mind continues to run at 100 miles an hour. Did you know that sleep doesn't automatically equal recovery? Or have you noticed that after a supposedly lazy weekend, you sometimes wake up on Monday morning feeling more depleted than you did on Friday night? In this episode of But Are You Happy?, host Ashani Dante sits down with clinical psychologist, speaker, and mental health consultant Shuktika Bose to explore why modern rest no longer feels restorative. We go beyond the superficial self-care trends to uncover the psychological gap between simply stopping your body and actually switching off your brain. Together, they discuss why your nervous system keeps draining your battery like 40 background apps running on a phone, even when you are physically lying still. They break down the seven distinct types of rest, revealing why sleeping won't fix your exhaustion if you're actually lacking sensory, mental, or emotional downtime. Shuktika exposes the "earned rest" trap, examining how our culture has conditioned us to view a break as a reward for good behavior rather than a basic biological requirement. Finally, they confront the uncomfortable nature of stillness itself, and why stopping our frantic schedules can feel deeply threatening by forcing us to face the messy emotions we've been running from. The conversation also explores the heavy mental load carried by women juggling unpaid labor, challenging the toxic assumptions of hustle culture and offering small, realistic micro-habits—like the 90-second transition ritual—to help your body safely complete the stress cycle and find genuine peace. Support independent women’s media and get our biggest offer of the year. Subscribe here for 30% off your annual Mamamia subscription. Code applied at the checkout. Offer ends June 30. Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Watch But Are You Happy on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram here.  Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS: Guest: Shuktika Bose Host: Ashani Dante Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio and Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti Social Media Producer: Olivia Colman If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you happy? Oh. Sorry. Was that too direct? It’s a simple question, but it tends to make people shift in their seats. In this episode of But Are You Happy?, Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Anastasia Hronis finally unpack the very question that inspired the podcast and, somehow, until now, we’ve never properly answered. Together, they explore: The difference between hedonic and eudaimonic happiness Why contentment might matter more than constant joy How social media and external validation can distort our idea of happiness A simple framework to help you cultivate more intentional, values-aligned joy Watch the podcast on YouTube here.  If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.  Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! Listen to more Mamamia podcasts here. CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Jacob Round Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does the idea of a networking event make your stomach do backflips while your friends seem to thrive in the chaos?  In this season finale of But Are You Happy, host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis pull back the curtain on our social personalities. We’re moving beyond the simple labels to find out where you actually sit on the spectrum and why "summer social season" can feel so different for everyone. You'll also learn:  The five major personality traits and how extroversion fits in Why the "chaotic middle" might be exactly where you land The clinical red flags to look out for Why walking a banana on a leash (yes, really) is a legitimate way to overcome the fear of being judged Watch the podcast on YouTube here.  If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.  Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! We’re giving away a Your Reformer Pilates bed (worth $3,400) Subscribe here to enter.  CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly the one listening, supporting, and showing up for others, until one day you hit a wall and think, I can't do this anymore?  In this episode of But Are You Happy, host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis unpack empathy fatigue; why being the “strong,” supportive one can leave you emotionally drained, and how to tell the difference between compassion and burnout. You’ll also learn: What empathy fatigue actually is (and why it’s more common than you think) How constant emotional labour impacts your mental health Why setting boundaries doesn’t make you selfish Practical ways to protect your energy while still caring about others Watch the podcast on YouTube here.  If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.  Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! We’re giving away a Your Reformer Pilates bed (worth $3,400) Subscribe here to enter.  CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money, money, money. Spending on gifts, travel, food, and everything else feels almost unavoidable around the holiday periods. But what about the stress and panic that hits every time you open Apple Pay or tap your card at the checkout? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante unpack the financial pressures of the holidays. They’ll also share practical ways to shift your focus from consumption to connection, helping you enjoy the season without the overwhelm. You’ll also learn: Why we feel pressured to “keep up” with peers when it comes to generosity and gift-giving The psychology of money and how your upbringing shapes your financial mindset Real examples of how money influences attitudes and behaviour How to avoid FOMO and set healthy limits around your spending Watch the podcast on YouTube here.   And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.  Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.