These short self help videos will give you a taste of how I approach psychology. I try to keep things light-hearted while being psychologically serious-minded. We add new videos regularly, so to make sure you hear about them, follow me on Twitter or join our Facebook group on the right hand side of the page.
Difficult People Video
Published 20 August, 2010 | Dealing with Difficult People
In this video on ‘Dealing with Difficult People’ Mark Tyrrell starts by discussing the quote from John-Paul Sartre “Hell is other people”, which of course is a joke, but contains a nugget of truth as does much dark humour. He continues to talk about how much difficult behaviour is driven by missing...
Help for Addiction Video
Published 13 August, 2010 | Addiction Help
In this ‘Help for Addiction’ video, Mark Tyrrell begins with a traditional story that illuminates the addictive state and its consequences. He then goes on to look at the idea that addiction is a disease, and how that theory compares with the psychological aspects of addiction. He points out the...
Dating advice video
Published 6 August, 2010 | Dating Advice
In this Dating Advice video, Mark Tyrrell talks about how important it is for dating to be a fun and relaxed activity. He talks about the most common dating mistakes people make - for one, that if you go dating when stressed you are likely to lose all your most attractive characteristics such as...
Thinking Skills Video
Published 30 July, 2010 | Thinking Skills
In this video on thinking skills, Mark Tyrrell of Uncommon Knowledge discusses the fact that although we are often told to ‘think for ourselves’, we are rarely taught how. Mark goes on to talk about the most common thinking mistakes people tend to make. That we are often too pessimistic about life...
Weight loss video
Published 16 July, 2010 | Weight Loss Help
In this weight loss help video, Mark Tyrrell talks about how losing weight for many people can feel so frustrating. He discusses the traditional approaches to weight loss, such as restrictiing calories and over-exercising. Mark also talks about how important it is to use approaches that lose fat,...
Obsessions and Compulsions Video
Published 9 July, 2010 | Obsessive / Compulsive?
In this ‘Obsessions and Compulsions’ video, Mark discusses the difference between a compulsion and an obsession - that an obsession is generally the thought that drives the compulsive action. So, for example, if you are obsessed by the idea that your house is dirty, you may follow compulsive...
Marriage Help Video
Published 1 July, 2010 | Marriage Help
In this ‘Marriage Help’ video, Mark Tyrrell talks about the research showing the beneficial physical effects of a happy marriage, on both physical and psychological wellbeing. He also goes into what has been shown to help marriages work, and what sort of behaviours are toxic to marriage.
He...
Work Skills Video
Published 25 June, 2010 | Work Skills
In this Work Skills video, Mark Tyrrell discusses interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that make for an effective and happy work life. He talks about the importance of work in our life, and how vital it is that your work life is something you find satisfying and pleasurable, at least to an...
Bad Habits Video
Published 22 June, 2010 | Bad Habits
In this ‘Bad Habits’ video, Mark Tyrrell of Uncommon Knowledge discusses how humans are habitual beings, and why this is useful in helping us to learn effectively. He goes on to show how bad habits can develop by ‘piggybacking’ on this useful natural process. Mark talks about how emotions drive...
Relationship advice video
Published 4 June, 2010 | Relationship Advice
In this short relationship advice video, Mark talks about how important relationships are for both our physical and mental health. He talks about findings from the nurses health study, involving over 50,000 women, that showed improved healthy aging in women with good social connection. Mark talks...
Communication Skills Video
Published 28 May, 2010 | Communication Skills
In this video on Communication Skills, Mark Tyrrell discusses how different communication styles are suited to different people and different situations. He presents specific ways of communicating your ideas, and why one might work when another would fail. Mark talks about how to sound confident...
Stress reduction video
Published 14 May, 2010 | Stress Reduction
In this video on Stress Reduction, Mark Tyrrell discusses what we actually mean by ‘stress’. It’s a much-used word nowadays and it’s easy to lose sight of what stress really is and what causes is. He illustrates the difference between an external stressor (something ‘real’ in the environment) and...
Pain relief Video
Published 7 May, 2010 | Pain Relief
In this video on Pain Relief, Mark Tyrrell discussed the fact that although pain is a physical experience, psychology can greatly influence the experience of pain. We’ve all hurt ourselves and not noticed until later, proving that distraction can be one effective pain management technique. Mark...
Exercise and Fitness Video
Published 15 April, 2010 | Exercise and Fitness
In this video on exercise motivation, Mark discusses how our needs as human beings are still the same as when we were living in caves. Our bodies still need to move regularly to maintain health, although over-exercising can be just as bad. He describes the sort of exercise that has been shown to be...
Sleep Problems Video
Published 26 March, 2010 | Sleep Problems
In this video on sleep problems, Mark discusses the different types of sleep disorders and some ideas you can use to improve your chances of having a good night’s sleep. Mark talks about how stress interacts with our sleep patterns, how worry interferes with sleep and what you can do about that....
Social Anxiety Video
Published 16 March, 2010 | Social Anxiety
In this ‘Overcoming Social Anxiety’ video, Mark Tyrrell discusses how the problem develops and reveals his first experience of social anxiety at the age of 9. Mark talks about how hypnosis can be used to build social confidence, whether at work, with friends or in other situations.
Confidence and Self Esteem Video
Published 16 March, 2010 | Confidence and Self Esteem
In this confidence and self esteem video, Mark Tyrrell discusses how a lack of self confidence and self esteem can stop us achieving our goals and seizing opportunities. Mark uses the traditional tale of ‘The lion who saw himself in the water’ to illustrate how confidence works and talks about what...
