Episode # 96: Understanding Mental Health & Gamifying Habits with Micheal Bruinix

✍️ Episode Overview:

In this enlightening episode of the Five Core Life podcast, host Will Moore sits down with Michael Bruinix, a seasoned consultant and educator in the mental health field. With over seven years of experience working in hospitals and designing programs for mental health professionals, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in the challenging area of personality disorders.

The conversation delves deep into the struggles faced by high achievers who are also supporting family members with mental illness. Michael introduces his innovative approach to mental health support, which includes a gamified online course designed to empower both individuals experiencing mental health challenges and their caregivers.

Throughout the episode, Michael and Will explore the importance of developing key skills such as emotional intelligence, setting healthy boundaries, and goal-setting in managing mental health. They discuss the power of interdependence in relationships and the significance of contributing to one's community as part of overall wellbeing.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to balance personal success with supporting loved ones through mental health challenges. It offers practical strategies, insights into the latest mental health research, and a hopeful perspective on achieving holistic life balance.

📖 Chapter Summaries:

1. Michael's Journey and Expertise (0:03 - 3:58) Michael shares his background in psychology and his path to becoming a mental health consultant. He discusses his experience working with challenging clients, particularly those with personality disorders, and his mission to help mental health professionals and families navigate these complex situations.

2. The Five Core Pyramid of Mental Health (3:59 - 8:32) Michael introduces his pyramid model for mental health, explaining the four foundational elements: emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, goal-setting, and healthy habits. He emphasizes the importance of a skills-based approach in addressing mental health challenges.

3. The Power of Goal-Setting (8:33 - 11:54) Will and Michael discuss the crucial role of goal-setting in personal development and mental health. They explore how proper goal-setting can create momentum and drive positive change in one's life, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic, achievable goals that align with personal values. By breaking down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps, individuals can build confidence, maintain focus, and progressively work towards their desired outcomes, ultimately fostering a sense of purpose and well-being. Read More: 7 Goal Setting steps

4. Levels of Mental Health Development (11:55 - 15:14) Michael expands on the higher levels of his pyramid model, discussing the importance of functional independence and living harmoniously with others. He introduces the concept of interdependence as a key skill for maintaining healthy relationships.

5. Developing an Online Mental Health Course (15:15 - 20:47) Michael shares his current project of creating an online course to reach more people with his mental health strategies. He and Will exchange ideas on course development and distribution platforms, discussing the potential for leveraging social media and email marketing to maximize outreach. They also explore the benefits of incorporating interactive elements like live sessions and community forums to enhance engagement and provide ongoing support for course participants, ensuring a more impactful learning experience. Read More: Mental Health Games

6. Strategies for Building Positive Momentum (20:48 - 25:22) Michael introduces his "Advanced Guide to Daily Wins," offering strategies such as anchoring time slots, bundling wins, and lengthening wins to build positive momentum in daily life. He also emphasizes the importance of tracking progress consistently and celebrating small victories to maintain motivation, encouraging individuals to refine these techniques to suit their unique routines and goals for sustained success.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1. Emotion Regulation Skills: Developing the ability to manage your emotions is crucial for mental health. Practice identifying your emotions throughout the day and use techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to regulate them when they become overwhelming.

2. Interpersonal Skills: Healthy relationships are vital for mental wellbeing. Focus on improving your communication skills, setting clear boundaries, and practicing active listening to enhance your interpersonal interactions.

3. Goal-Setting for Mental Health: Establish clear, achievable goals in all areas of your life, including your mental health. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate each milestone to maintain motivation and build momentum.

4. Healthy Habits Foundation: Prioritize developing healthy habits as the foundation for good mental health. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and consistent self-care practices.

5. Functional Independence: Strive for independence in various aspects of your life, including financially and emotionally. This fosters a sense of self-reliance and confidence, which are crucial for mental wellbeing.

6. Interdependence in Relationships: Aim for a balance between independence and connection in your relationships. Cultivate the ability to maintain your individuality while also fostering deep, meaningful connections with others.

7. Contribution to Community: Engage in activities that allow you to contribute to your community or the world at large. This sense of purpose can significantly enhance your mental health and overall life satisfaction.

8. Daily Wins Strategy: Implement the "Advanced Guide to Daily Wins" by anchoring time slots for important activities, bundling related tasks, and gradually increasing the duration or difficulty of your positive habits.

9. Visualization Techniques: Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing your top three wins for the day. This mental rehearsal can increase your motivation and likelihood of achieving your goals, while also helping to reduce stress and improve focus. Additionally, incorporating this practice into your daily routine can enhance your overall sense of purpose and direction, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.

10. Overcoming Avoidance: Combat the tendency to avoid challenges by choosing a bigger mission that aligns with your values and passions. Break this mission down into daily actionable steps to maintain focus and progress.

11. Gamification of Mental Health: Consider ways to make your mental health journey more engaging by incorporating elements of gamification, such as setting challenges, tracking progress, and rewarding achievements.

12. Personalized Approach: Recognize that mental health strategies are not one-size-fits-all. Experiment with different techniques, customize your approach, and continually adjust based on your changing needs and experiences to find what works best for you.

13. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the latest mental health research and strategies. Regularly update your knowledge and skills to enhance your ability to support yourself and others.

14. Self-Reflection: Practice regular self-reflection to increase self-awareness and identify areas for personal growth. This can help you adapt and refine your mental health strategies as your needs change over time, ensuring they remain effective and aligned with your evolving goals.

🥇 Golden Habit:

In this episode, Michael Bruinix shares his personal Golden Habit: "Find a bigger mission and turn it into a daily action plan."

Definition of Golden Habit:

A 'Golden Habit' is the optimal habit to relieve a pain point/replace a bad habit because it's personalized to your DNA, goals, and lifestyle in order to maximally reduce the friction to form it.

The Golden Habit should be: - DESIRABLE: Should be enjoyable and rewarding. - PRACTICAL: Must easily integrate into one's existing routines. - IMPACTFUL: Expected to significantly enhance well-being.

This Episode's Golden Habit:

Michael explains that his top failure habit was chronic avoidance, especially during his childhood and adolescence. He transformed this by developing the habit of finding a bigger mission and turning it into a daily action plan. This habit is golden for Michael because it addresses his tendency to avoid challenges by giving him a compelling reason to engage and take action.

Related Core Area:

This Golden Habit primarily aligns with the Mindset Core. It addresses the key pain point of lacking direction and purpose, which can lead to avoidance and stagnation. By consistently seeking and pursuing bigger missions, individuals can overcome mental barriers, stay motivated, and continuously grow.

🚀 READY PLAYER ONE?

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🫅 Bio - Michael Bruinix:

Michael Bruinix is a distinguished consultant and educator in the field of mental health, with over seven years of experience working in hospital settings. Specializing in personality disorders, Michael has designed innovative programs to help mental health professionals work with challenging clients. His expertise extends to supporting families dealing with mental health issues, bridging the gap between clinical care and real-world application.

With a master's degree in social work and a background in psychology, Michael combines academic knowledge with practical experience to create effective, accessible mental health solutions. His current focus is on developing an online course that gamifies mental health education, making it engaging and impactful for both individuals experiencing mental health challenges and their caregivers.

Michael's approach emphasizes skill-based learning, interdependence in relationships, and the power of having a bigger mission in life. His work aims to empower high achievers to balance their personal success with supporting loved ones through mental health challenges, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more resilient society.