419. How to ACTUALLY process your emotions

419. How to ACTUALLY process your emotions

Author: iHeartPodcasts May 21, 2026 Duration: 45:34

When we’re detached from our emotions, things can feel a little… flat. But though our brain might be trying to protect us from harm, emotionally detaching stops us from being able to appreciate the true richness of life. In this episode, we’ll unpack why emotional blunting occurs, the ways we might be avoiding our true emotions, and look at some ways to actually start to process your emotions.

We explore: 
• Why we’re bad at feeling what we’re feeling 
• The hidden strategies we use to push our emotions away 
• How maladaptive coping mechanisms can cause us long-term harm
• Why most emotions are actually driven by fear 
• How we can more effectively process our emotions 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12916575/
https://positivepsychology.com/maladaptive-coping/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/intellectualization

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Navigating your twenties can feel like a constant, bewildering experiment where you're both the scientist and the subject. The Psychology of your 20s, hosted by Jemma Sbeg, treats this unique decade with the thoughtful analysis it deserves. Released every Tuesday and Friday, each episode picks apart a specific thread of the modern twentysomething experience-whether it's the anxiety of mapping out a career, the complexities of dating apps, the strain on friendships, or the stress of managing money for the first time. Jemma grounds these universal themes in psychological research and science, offering clarity on why this period feels so tumultuous. The conversations move beyond simple advice, instead providing a framework for understanding the mental and emotional underpinnings of decisions big and small. This isn't a lecture; it's a companionable exploration of the growing pains that define adulthood's first chapter. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a new lens on your own life, one that transforms confusion into comprehension. It’s produced by iHeartPodcasts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Psychology of your 20s
Podcast Episodes
425. Why we want people who don't want us back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:26
Why do we become obsessed with people who don't want us back? Even when we know it will never work? Even when we know there's no convincing them? In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind unrequited love, limerenc…
423. You need more hobbies...here's how you do it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:23
Your hobbies may be just as important as your friendships in your 20s. But whilst you may dedicate 10-15 hours a week to your friends, most of us can go a week or two without actually performing our hobbies. Why is that,…
422. The psychology of Peter Pan Syndrome [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:41
We’re all familiar with the story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up: Peter Pan. But when someone displays similar traits in real life - issues with commitment, responsibilities, and adulting in general - they might be expe…
421. Hating yourself will get you nowhere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:38
Being your own harshest critic can feel productive, protective, even familiar, but over time, it becomes less of a motivator and more of a cage. In this episode, we explore the psychology of self-hatred - where it begins…
420. The psychology of weed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:59
Weed can be relaxing, funny, creative, and social - until it isn’t. In this episode, we look at what weed is actually doing in the brain, why it can calm one person and overwhelm another, and how it can change from somet…
418. How to repair a friendship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:03
Endless studies show that the strength of our relationships is the biggest indicator for our happiness and wellbeing. So when we fall out with a friend, it can feel absolutely devastating, and leave us wondering how to r…
417. The pressure to be extraordinary in our 20s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:37
In our 20s, we can feel intense pressure to be extraordinary, to stand head and shoulders above the pack, to thrive across all aspects of our life. But when we put pressure on ourselves to be extraordinary, we can fall v…
416. The surprising neuroscience behind your anxiety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:46
Anxiety has a way of making ordinary moments feel life-or-death. A simple interaction can feel significant, a passing thought can spiral into catastrophe, and your body can react as if something is deeply wrong - even wh…
415. The psychology of dopamine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:53
Most people would know the term: dopamine. It's the world's most famous neurotransmitter, known for it's role in happiness and pleasure. What if I told you, most of us have it all wrong. In today's episode we break down…