Can fear and pleasure coexist? We often see these concepts as separate, and sometimes even oppositional. But is that accurate?

In this episode of The Mental Wellness Practice Podcast, Dr. Shainna explores the surprising psychology of recreational fear — the thrills we seek when we watch horror movies, ride roller coasters, drive fast, or even go bungee jumping.

Joined by Dr. Marc Andersen and Dr. Mathias Clasen from the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University, we’ll explore what happens when fear becomes fun — and how these playful experiences can actually improve emotional regulation, resilience, and mental wellness.

• What recreational fear really is

• Common misconceptions about fear and what it reveals about our brains

• Who can benefit from engaging with fear in a safe, intentional way

• Key findings from the Recreational Fear Lab and what they teach us about emotion regulation

• Practical strategies to reframe fear as a tool for growth, confidence, and connection
  

⁠Mathias Clasen⁠, literature and media researcher, is an associate professor in the School of Communication and Culture, Department of English at Aarhus University.

⁠Marc Andersen⁠, cognitive scientist, is an associate professor in the School of Culture and Society, Department of Culture, Cognition and Computation at Aarhus University.

⁠Dr. Shainna⁠ is a mental health counselor, educator, and advocate dedicated to helping individuals cultivate lifelong mental wellness. She is the owner of The Mental Wellness Practice in Central Florida and the creator of the bestselling Self-Love Workbook series and Designing Healthy Boundaries. Her insights have been featured in VOGUE, ABC, CBS, NPR, The Washington Post, and Insider, and she has been recognized with honors including UCF’s Noble Knight Distinction and the Pete Fischer Humanitarian Award for her efforts to promote emotional well-being. 🌐 Learn more at ⁠www.DrShainna.com⁠ or connect on Instagram ⁠@DrShainna⁠.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Learn more about ⁠The Recreational Fear Lab⁠ and Mathias and Marc’s ⁠research⁠

💍 Anxiring → Intentional jewelry designed to support self-regulation and calm. Get your discount with code DRSHAINNA at⁠ www.anxiring.com⁠

Stay Connected: Follow Dr. Shainna on Instagram or Facebook →⁠ @drshainna⁠ Find more resources, workshops, and support →⁠ ⁠⁠www.drshainna.com⁠

💌 Love what you’re hearing? Share, follow, and leave a review, it helps others find this space too.

This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, please consult with a licensed professional.

Additional Mental Wellness Resources:

⁠The Self-Love Workbook⁠

⁠The Self-Love Workbook for Teens⁠

⁠The Self-Love Planner⁠

⁠Luna Finds Love Everywhere⁠

In this episode, Dr. Shainna explores the complexities of friendships, discussing why they sometimes end and how to approach healing, whether through reconciliation or release. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, understanding personal roles in friendships, and the potential for growth through these relationships.

In this episode you will learn about:

• What friendship means to you.
• Your role friendship dynamics
• Common root causes in friendship breakups

• • Strategies to reconcile a ruptured friendship
  • Strategies to release a friendship
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• Stay Connected: Follow Dr. Shainna on Instagram or Facebook → @drshainna Find more resources, workshops, and support → www.drshainna.com

  💌 Love what you’re hearing? Share, follow, and leave a review, it helps others find this space too.

  
  

  Special thanks to Matt Gilhooly of The Life Shift Podcast for the intro and outro production.

  
  

  Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

  💤 TapeHer → The mouth tape that transformed Dr. Shainna’s sleep routine. Try it with code DRSHAINNA at www.tapeher.com

  💍 Anxiring → Intentional jewelry designed to support self-regulation and calm. Get your discount with code DRSHAINNA at www.anxiring.com

  
  

  This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, please consult with a licensed professional.

  
  

  Additional Mental Wellness Resources:

  The Self-Love Workbook

  The Self-Love Workbook for Teens

  The Self-Love Planner

  Luna Finds Love Everywhere

  
  

  Find a Mental Health Provider:

  National Alliance on Mental Illness

  National Mental Health Lifeline

  Open Path

  Therify

  Melanin & Mental Health

  Inclusive Therapists

  Therapy for Black Girls

  Asian Mental Health Collective

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