The Deep Resilience Project

It’s natural for us to overthink. We often find ourselves ruminating over things that have happened and overthinking how we dealt with situations. Many of us also worry about things in the future, like difficult conversations we will have to make, stressful presentations, or maybe our health or relationships. But letting go of overthinking can bring us a sense of freedom and peace of mind. It’s a great first step towards being more positive and practicing a much healthier alternative – constructive problem-solving.In this episode of Mentally Stronger, I’ll be providing you with three steps you can put into action to shift your overthinking to constructive problem-solving instead. Watch to learn:What is overthinking?What is constructive problem-solving?How to designate ‘office hours’ for problem-solvingThe detrimental effects of overthinkingThe three steps to help you become a constructive problem-solverKey links:Melli O’Brien: https://melliobrien.com

Regret, for our hunter-gatherer ancestors, was a handy survival strategy. After living through a run-in with a sabre-toothed tiger or a rival clan, their minds went over and over the scenario in order to learn anything that would give them a better chance of survival next time. However, leap forward a few hundred thousand years and our minds tend to do the same thing around moments of hurt, embarrassment and shame, often in a way that isn’t helpful or useful. So how can we transform this cycle in order to use it in a healthy and helpful way? In this episode of Mentally Stronger, I’ll be sharing a 3-step practice to help you shift the painful and disempowering states of regret into empowering states of resilience, connection to purpose and wisdom. Listen to learn:The part human evolution plays in regretHow to recognize patterns of regretWhy “just a spoonful” of regret is helpfulWhen to let go of regretA concise 3-step practice to transform our relationship with regretKey links:Melli O’Brien: https://melliobrien.com/

Throughout our lives, we will encounter difficult emotions. They can often catch us off guard and bring about a sense of defeat or disappointment. At times, we will feel grief, sadness, anger, remorse, anxiety and a host of other emotions. It’s through these times that we need our mental strength the most.As human beings, our first instinct when these unpleasant emotions arrive is to either cover them up and distract ourselves or lose ourselves in them completely. However, there is another way that we can face these emotions and move through them in a healthy, life-affirming way.In this episode of Mentally Stronger, I’ll be guiding you through the four-step process known as RAIN. This mindfulness-based practice, which was first developed by Michele McDonald over 20 years ago, is designed to help you work through intense and difficult emotions. Watch to learn:Ways in which we instinctively deal with difficult emotionsWhy recognizing our emotions is the first important stepHow to accept your difficult thoughtsWhy you should become curious about your emotionsHow to tune in and nurture your negative feelingsKey linksMelli O’Brien: https://melliobrien.com/

Unfortunately, conflict is one of those things that pops up in our lives, whether we like it or not. Say someone cuts in front of you in a long queue, or someone shows up an hour late for a meeting without an apology. The list of possible scenarios goes on and on, and they can be seemingly big or small issues.In those moments, it’s natural to jump to a place of anger, among other unpleasant feelings. But anger doesn’t have to be our knee-jerk response. In this episode of Mentally Stronger, I’ll be exploring one simple method of reducing conflict in your life – switching your mindset from furious to curious. Curiosity offers a different perspective that can diffuse the entire situation and leave you feeling calmer and more in control.Listen to learn:Why conflicts ariseThe mind’s journey from ‘hurt’ to ‘anger’The benefits of switching from furious to curiousTwo levels of curiosityWhy you shouldn’t make snap judgments about the actions of othersKey links:Melli O’Brien: https://melliobrien.com/

It’s sometimes a lot easier to look at the negative side of things. That’s generally the way the human brain is wired. So, those days when the grass seems greener on the other side, or when negative experiences steer you towards a pessimistic train of thought — that’s all totally normal.But just because it’s normal doesn’t mean it’s healthy to stew in a pool of unhealthy thoughts. That’s why this episode of Mentally Stronger is all about tackling negative thoughts in the simplest ways possible.Join me as I take us back to the roots of this negative thought reflex and share three practical and simple hacks that will keep negativity at bay.Listen to learn:Why negative thoughts are a normal human responseThe biological roots of negative thoughtsHow gratitude can be mentally upliftingThe benefits of looking at things from a fresh perspectiveWhy you should enjoy simple pleasures in lifeKey links:Melli O’Brien: http://melliobrien.com/

Self-doubt is a totally normal part of life. At some point, even the most confident people experience waves of doubt. And some experience it so much that it keeps them from acting on what’s important to them.While some self-doubt can be healthy, toxic self-doubt must be combatted. In episode one of my brand new podcast, Mentally Stronger, I explore what toxic self-doubt is, why we experience it, and three tactics for overcoming it.With Mentally Stronger, I’ll be exploring topics related to mental strength and mindfulness by sharing practical tools to train your mind to be stronger, so you can unlock your potential and live a happier life.Stay tuned for future episodes!Listen to learn:What toxic self-doubt isWhy we experience itWhy we should thank our mindsHow to connect with your vision and valuesHow to take meaningful action to combat self-doubtKey links:Melli O’Brien: http://melliobrien.com/

How do you handle the emotional highs and lows life is constantly dishing out? While you'll probably find lots of answers out there, the truth is that tackling these issues starts from a place of mental strength.As someone who has devoted years to understanding what it means to be mentally strong, Melli O’Brien shares doable, evidence-based techniques that’ll fuel the mind on her show Mentally Stronger.Are you struggling with anxiety, wondering how to overcome adversity or simply looking for ways to live the best version of your life?If so, then you’re in the right place.Becoming mentally stronger is more of a marathon than a sprint, so each week this show delivers useful, digestible practices that aim to help you achieve the life you want, all while building your mental strength.