What does it mean to live a process-based life? What processes can you engage in that will serve as protective factors for your mental health? And how can you find space even when faced with difficult thoughts, emotions, and sensations? In the launch episode of Season 2 of “Your Life in Process,” Diana explores these questions with Dr. Steven Hayes, the co-founder of ACT.

About Dr. Steven Hayes

Dr. Steven Hayes is a professor of psychology at the University of Nevada at Reno. He has revolutionized the field of Clinical Psychology and has been listed as the 30th highest impact psychologist in the world. Dr. Hayes has authored 47 books and nearly 670 scientific articles. He has dedicated his career to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering–leading studies on everything from peak performance in sport to how to promote mental health in refugees and trauma survivors.

Key Takeaways

• Promote your mental health by personalizing the science of the processes of psychological flexibility to fit your individual needs.
• Pay attention to which processes contribute to your own thriving by noticing what you do are at your best.
• Learning to observe your thoughts and the silence between your thoughts provides good information and can increase your flexible attention.

Related Resources

• Download Your Daily Practice for this episode
• Find out what kind of Striver you are and get your free Skillful Striving Toolkit
• Learn More About Dr. Steven Hayes
• Read Dr. Hayes’s books: The Liberated Mind; Process-Based CBT; Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life
• Download the World Health Organization “Do What Matters In Times of Stress” Workbook
• Learn More about InsightLA
• Read more of Dr. Steven Hayes’ Research
• Learn More about Kelly Brownell and Policy Food Science
• Listen to Diana’s Episode with Steven Hayes on his 70th Birthday

Diana’s Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana’s Reset and Restore Retreat in Costa Rica in 2023!
• Sign up for Diana’s From Striving to Thriving Summit!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

Thank you for listening to Your Life in Process! Subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts. If you have any questions or feedback you can contact Diana by email podcast@yourlifeinprocess.com or leave Diana an audio message at (805) 457-2776. Follow Diana at YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thank you to the team Craig, Angela Stubbs, Ashley Hiatt, and Abby Diehl. Thank you to Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Remember when you become psychologically flexible, you become free.

Episode Segments

• [00:04] Introduction
• [00:30] About Dr. Steven Hayes
• [01:43] What Do We Mean By Processes?
• [06:57] Sponsor: Lightfully Behavioral Health
• [08:06] Reflecting Back
• [15:09] Dr. Hayes’s Personal Story About Process
• [19:40] A Psychological Vaccine
• [24:42] A Process-based Approach To Insomnia And Worry
• [29:56] The Silence Between Thoughts
• [32:57] Learning How To Do Nothing
• [38:58] ACT And Psychedelic Therapy
• [42:09] An Individualized Psychology
• [45:34] Why Dr. Steven Hayes Is Eating Walnuts
• [50:15] Episode Summary
• [51:54] Your Daily Practice
• [53:25] Connect With The Podcast