The Verywell Mind Podcast

Problems always feel bigger at 2 AM. And that's why Daniel Howell wrote his new book, "You Will Get Through This Night." Daniel is a comedian and entertainer whose videos have attracted over 1 billion views on YouTube. He’s also an award-winning host of a BBC radio show. He’s written several New York Times bestselling books, including The Amazing Book is Not on Fire and Dan and Phil Go Outside. His newest book, however, isn’t funny, however. It takes a close look at the strategies that can help people deal with the uncomfortable emotions that often crop up at night. Today, he shares actionable coping skills you can use in the middle of the night when you're anxious, stressed out, or depressed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The way you think affects how you feel and it affects how you behave. One slight change to the way you think might make a huge difference in your life. If you’re like most people, you might think in the first-person. You tell yourself, “I have to go to the store,” or “I am going to mess up.” But you may want to start using third person when you think—call yourself by your name or use your pronouns. It’s something that NBA all-star Lebron James has demonstrated. And researchers think he’s onto something. In today’s Friday Fix, I share why you might want to start talking to yourself in the third person and how it can help you make better decisions in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Jud Brewer is a psychiatrist and a neuroscientist. He’s spent more than 20 years researching habit change and the “science of self-mastery.” His newest book, Unwinding Anxiety, became an instant New York Times bestseller. When you hear him talk, you'll understand why his book is so popular. He shares some really simple but effective strategies for managing anxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just because the pandemic restrictions are lifting doesn’t mean it’s OK to stop taking care of your mental health. In fact, caring for your mental health right now might be more important than ever. Now that the crisis is beginning to subside, the way you move forward matters. There are some common mental health mistakes people make whenever they emerge from a tough time. And while we all make mistakes sometimes, it’s important to recognize those mistakes so we can create positive changes. On today’s Friday Fix, I’m sharing the mistakes you’ll want to avoid as we emerge from the pandemic. The way you think, feel, and act right now makes a huge difference to your overall well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Danielle Walker was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, physicians told her that her illness could be well-managed with medication. But Danielle’s symptoms didn’t go away. In fact, flare-ups caused her to lose a lot of weight, and she required frequent hospitalizations. Ultimately, she decided to change her diet — even though doctors said doing so wouldn't improve her symptoms. Her diet changes ultimately saved her. But she found herself struggling to stick to her diet changes because the food didn't taste all that good. So she experimented with new recipes until she discovered how to create delicious food that met her dietary requirements. There was such a demand for her recipes that she wrote a cookbook. And her book became a bestseller. Now, she shares how to find the courage to save yourself. Whether you're looking for alternative strategies to manage your depression or you want to take a holistic approach to managing your chronic pain, Danielle has some great strategies that could help you discover what works best for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lot of things were out of your control over this past year. Fortunately, you can control the attitude you have as you emerge from these tough times. There are some ways to reflect on this year that can help you turn it into an opportunity for growth. In today’s Friday Fix, I share five questions you can use to reflect on your time during the pandemic. Answering these questions and writing down your answers can help you grow from the adversity you encountered this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. John Umhau is a physician and addiction medicine specialist. His telemedicine practice focuses on the treatment of alcohol use disorder through diet, medication, and The Sinclair Method. If you drink more than you'd like or know someone who does, stick around for this episode. Dr. Umhau's wisdom might give you hope that you can take steps to curb cravings for alcohol and reduce problem drinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you want to bring up a difficult subject with a loved one or you want to join a new class, fear can be a powerful obstacle. In fact, any uncomfortable emotion (like sadness, anxiety, or anger) can stand in between you and your goals if you let it. In today’s Friday Fix, I share one of my favorite strategies for finding courage when you need it the most so you can face your fears, make a change, or do something you’ve always wanted to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Gilmartin is a comedian. He was the longtime host of the TBS show Dinner and a Movie. He's also appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, HBO, and VH1. He’s now the host of a popular podcast called The Mental Illness Happy Hour. He interviews celebrities, experts, and everyday people about their trauma, mental illness, addiction, and negative thinking. He had always made other people laugh, and he looked like he was enjoying life from the outside. But mental illnesses are often hidden. And just because someone doesn’t “look depressed” doesn’t mean that they aren’t. In today's show, Paul talks about how he got sober, what helped reduce his depression, and how he faces uncomfortable emotions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lot of people have entered my therapy office over the years saying things like, “I just have to get rid of my stress.” But stress is part of life. And there will always be obstacles and hardships. Even having nothing to do can be quite stressful. Being mentally strong when you’re feeling stressed out doesn’t mean ignoring your stress or pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s about being aware of your stress levels so you can take action. Stress management is a skill that can be learned. And we all have the ability to get better at it. On today’s episode of the Friday Fix, we’re talking about how to change the way you think about stressful events. Shifting your mindset could make a huge difference in how your body and your brain reacts to stress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Bernstein creates all the toys for her company, Melissa & Doug. Melissa also has what she calls "existential" depression. She's discovered a lot of creative people experience this. Fortunately, she's also discovered some things that help her feel better. In this episode, she shares how to know if you have existential depression and the strategies that can help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The way you respond to feelings of anxiety makes a huge difference in how intense these emotions become and how long they last. There may be some mistakes you’re making that are actually making your anxiety worse. Fortunately, learning about anxiety can help you figure out how to respond to your anxious feelings in a helpful way. On today’s Friday Fix, I share one of my favorite strategies for taming anxiety. It’s a great first step for any time you feel anxious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It's so easy to say, ‘Oh, everything happens for a reason.’ But if you don't do the work to figure out the reason, then you're never going to see the purpose in that mistake.” When Craig Grossi was serving in Afghanistan, he befriended a stray dog named Fred. When his deployment was up, he decided to smuggle Fred into the United States with him. The two then took a cross country road trip and documented their adventures in Craig's first book, Craig and Fred. Now, Craig and Fred help train service dogs in the Maine State Prison. Craig started a writing group with some of the veterans who were in prison and he learned some valuable life lessons. Some of the things he talks about include friendship, forgiveness, and finding the courage to ask for help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kids need mental strength just as much as adults, especially right now. So I'm thrilled that my first-ever mental strength book for kids has hit the shelves. It's called 13 Things Strong Kids Do. My book teaches kids how to build mental muscle so they can think big, feel good, and act brave. And while my book is written for kids, it’s important for the adults in their lives to reinforce the material. After all, kids often need a coach who is there with them in the moment. So when they’re tempted to give up or when they begin to doubt themselves, we can teach them how to apply the exercises to real-life situations. On today’s Friday Fix, I share the 13 Things Strong Kids Do and some strategies you can use to encourage your kids to develop these healthy habits now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mallory couldn’t control her circumstances. But she took control of her attitude. She chose to continue swimming competitively after becoming paralyzed from the waist down. And even though things were a lot different for her after her injury, she chose to keep striving to reach her greatest potential. Some of the things Mallory discusses include the messiness of grief, how to respond to people who try to define your limitations, and how to shift your own beliefs about your capabilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There may be several ways in which you give away your power without even realizing that you’re doing it. You might waste a lot of time thinking about someone you don’t like. This would mean you are giving that person power over your time. Or you might let someone treat you poorly. Perhaps you don’t dare speak up because you don’t want to seem rude—but then you still blame the other person for ruining your day. This means you are giving that person power over your life. Retaining your personal power requires you to take responsibility for the way you think, feel, and act. It’s about being proactive regarding how much time and energy you devote to the people and activities in your life. In today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I’ll share a simple but powerful exercise that can help you take back your power so you feel more in control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even though Kendall shares a lot of inspirational and motivational messages with her followers, she’s open about her own struggles with mental health issues. She makes it clear that while her OCD and depression were treated, she doesn’t consider her journey with mental health over. She continues to make her mental health an ongoing priority in her life, and she shares the strategies that work for her. Some of the things Kendall shares are how to make your mental health a real priority in your life, a strategy that can help you take action when you don't feel like it, how to find the courage to ask for help when you need it, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many well-intentioned people say things like, “Just picture how happy you’ll be when you land that job,” or “Imagine how great you’ll feel when you reach your weight goal!” On the surface, this type of advice seems to make sense. “Keep your eyes on the prize,” and you’ll stay motivated to get there. But visualizing yourself achieving the things you want isn’t actually a good idea. Not only might you waste your time, but studies show that putting something up on your "vision board" could reduce your chances of success. That’s not to say visualization can’t be a great tool. It can. But only if you use it the right way! Whether your goal is to run a 10K or you want to buy a house on the ocean, there are some visualization techniques that can help you make it happen. So on today’s Friday Fix, I share the research-backed strategies for visualization that can help you perform better so you can increase the chances that you’ll reach your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Personal development coach and international bestselling author Mike Bayer figured out the secret for making decisions easy. He went from battling an addiction to opening to his own treatment center. He's written a book called One Decision. And on today's show, he shares how to live according to your values, how to discover your authentic self, the one decision everyone should make, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you’re faced with a stressful situation, your brain might be quick to remind you of all the ways you’re not equipped to handle the challenge. Whether your bills are piling up or you’re worried about a loved one with a health issue, difficult experiences raise your stress levels. And the more stressed you feel, the less likely you are to cope with the situation in a healthy way. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your distress no matter how difficult the situation. On today’s Friday Fix, I share a quick science-backed strategy that can help you unleash your inner superhero. The truth is, you have an inner strength that you draw upon, and knowing how to dig deep when you need it the most can help you get through life’s toughest challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Kern Lima is proof that you can conquer self-doubt. Her belief that she could succeed helped her develop a billion-dollar cosmetic company. But she got rejected and turned down many times along the way. In today's episode, she shares how to deal with rejection, how she managed the depression and anxiety she experienced, how to develop a belief in yourself, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For most of us, our days revolve around screen time. We stare at our computers to work. We use our phones to socialize. We watch TV for entertainment. But too much screen time can drain our mental strength. Excessive screen time has been linked to everything from relationship issues to increased mental health problems. Screen time can also interfere with sleep, reduce productivity, and take a toll on our physical health. And while there are many recommendations out there about the importance of reducing screen time, actually doing so isn’t always easy. We know that staring at social media and scrolling through news stories isn’t good for our health. Yet sometimes we feel compelled to keep doing these things anyway. On today’s Friday Fix episode, I share how to keep your screen time from draining the mental strength you need to be your best. Tune in for three realistic strategies to incorporate into your life so that you can enjoy the moment more and be less glued to your screens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nedra Glover Tawwab is a fellow therapist who specializes in relationships. She helps people manage anxiety and depression that often stem from difficult relationships, and she teaches people how to set boundaries with difficult family members. She shares a lot of tips for self-care and setting boundaries on social media, including on Instagram where she has attracted over 800,000 followers. In today's episode, she talks about the telltale signs that you need better boundaries, how to establish clear boundaries, what to do when people violate those boundaries, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 53 episodes of Mentally Strong People, I'm excited to share a huge announcement! We're partnering with Verywell Mind to reach even more people. So starting next week, we're going to look a little different. But we'll keep sharing mental strength tips and strategies that can help you think, feel, and do your best. On today's Friday Fix, I share the deeply personal reason behind why this partnership means so much to me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“We can manage our minds. Our minds are malleable. It's a skill that we can actually learn. It's not a therapy technique. It's not a little magic trick. This is hardcore science.” Dr. Caroline Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist who has spent more than 30 years studying the brain. Her research has found that changing the way you think and changing the way you approach problems can physically alter your brain. She shares how her five-step approach to mind management can reduce toxic thinking as well as depression and anxiety by 81%. It's a simple but effective way to physically transform your brain so you can feel and do your best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you're terrified of public speaking or you have claustrophobia, fears and phobias can take a toll on your life. And while some people avoid the things that scare them the most, other people go about facing their fears the wrong way. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to overcome your fears. On this Friday Fix, I share a therapist-approved strategy that can help you conquer your fears once and for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I can say, ‘I forgive you and no, you're not allowed to do this.’ That way I can show up more readily with other people in my life and still be kind.” Amy talks to kindness advocate, Houston Kraft. He's reached millions of people with his message that just might change the way you think about kindness. Houston shares why hanging posters that say, "Be Kind," might be doing more harm than good. He also talks about the different types of kindness, how to establish boundaries that help us to become kinder, and how to create a regular kindness practice. Houston is proof that you can be both kind and strong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you’re feeling depressed, your brain will lie to you. It will work hard to convince you to do things that keep you stuck in a depressed state. If you’ve battled depression, you are likely aware of the struggles that come with it. Your thoughts will be negative. You’ll feel bad—both emotionally and physically. And you'll have a hard time trying things that might help you feel better. So on today’s Friday Fix, I describe my favorite exercise for combating depression. It can help you feel better and grow stronger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Francis is a three-time NBA All-Star who played for the Houston Rockets, the Orlando Magic, and the New York Knicks. He was so dominant on the court that he earned the nickname "Franchise." He’s known for his speed, fancy ball-handling skills, and extreme dunks. Steve’s rise to NBA stardom wasn’t an easy one, however. He overcame much adversity in his childhood. Unlike some NBA players who had plenty of money and parental support growing up, Steve grew up in poverty. For a while, he even resorted to selling drugs. But he was determined to change his life around, and he shares the strategies that helped him turn the adversity he experienced into an advantage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The way you talk to yourself matters. Your inner dialogue can either inspire and motivate you to do your best or it can be the one thing that stands between you and living your best life. For some reason, we think harsh self-criticism will help us do better. We’re afraid to cut ourselves some slack or to use kind words after we’ve messed up. We call ourselves names, put ourselves down, and try to talk ourselves out of doing hard things. But a harsh inner critic does more harm than good. Studies consistently show self-compassion is the key to feeling and doing your best. So today I’m sharing a question that can help you treat yourself with more kindness. Just ask yourself this one thing to develop a healthier inner dialogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Tesh is a musician, radio host, TV show host, and author. His impressive resume includes job titles like news anchor and host for the Olympics as well as host of Entertainment Tonight and creator of the NBA theme song. He’s won six Emmys, been nominated for two GRAMMYs, and has four Gold albums. He has also been awarded an Associated Press award for his investigative journalism. He’s written several books, including his most recent one which is called Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith. John overcame a lot of obstacles in life, including being suspended from college, being homeless, and facing a grim health prognosis. In this episode, he shares how to motivate yourself when you're struggling, how to use visualization in a helpful way, and the one kind of list everyone should create for themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes a slight shift in the way you establish a goal can greatly increase your chances of success. Setting a goal like, “I’m going to lose three pounds a week,” or “I’m going to pay off $500 in debt this month,” aren’t actually good goals to set. Sure, they’re measurable. But they involve a sort of all-or-nothing mentality. And a "success versus failure" mindset can zap your motivation and cause you to quit. So today I’m going to teach you the science behind goal setting. I’m sharing a secret formula for establishing a goal that can motivate you to succeed. In fact, when you set a goal like this, studies show you’ll probably exceed your expectations. It’s not just studies that convince me it’s effective. I’ve seen this simple strategy work well in my therapy office as well as in my own life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Felicia "The FeeNom" Spencer is a math teacher turned UFC fighter. After winning the Invicta Featherweight Championship, she went on to continued success in the UFC, taking on some of the elite fighters of all time (including Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg). Felicia offers some great tips that can apply to anyone who wants to face challenges, test their limits, and step outside their comfort zones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices