Warning: this blog and podcast contains references to suicide and may be distressing.
In a recent podcast (episode #279), I spoke with Jason Reid, founder of the Choose Life foundation and creator of Tell My Story, about his own experience as a grieving father, how to get help if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, how to recognize the signs if someone in your life is struggling, what we can do to help our loved ones who are going through a difficult time, and more.
Suicide is a public health crisis, with approximately 800,000 people dying by suicide…
In a recent podcast (episode #278), I talk about dreaming and mental health. This topic was inspired by an email I recently received:
“Since dreams come from our busy minds, can we slowly over time change our dreams in some way? I do not always remember dreams obviously but when I am awakened by dreams (often) or remember the next day, I do have a recurring pattern of always hurrying or being super frustrated, anxious! I cannot help but think this is part of why I get so tired some days as I do not rest peacefully at night. …
Stress is a normal part of life. We cannot escape it, but we can learn to manage and live with it. In my latest podcast (episode #276), I give you 6 tips to help deescalate turbulent emotional situations, reduce stress in the moment and build up your cognitive resilience.
1. Touch:
The burgeoning field of research on healthy and appropriate touch highlights its scientific importance. Many studies have shown how touch promotes bonding, attachment, mental wellbeing and even physical health!
How? Through research by neuroscientists like Edmund Rolls, we know that touch activates the orbitofrontal cortex, which is linked to…
In this podcast (episode #275), I speak with clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy about rethinking the way we raise our children, the importance of saying sorry to our kids, why it is never too late to fix the mistakes we make as parents, how to explain our own emotions to our children, and so much more!
As Dr. Becky wrote in a recent Instagram post, we need to learn how to explain our emotions to our children. On their own,our emotional displays as parents or guardians, do not overwhelm our children. It is okay to have emotions as parents! Every…
Think of the last time you had an argument and how it made you feel, both physically and mentally. Pretty bad, right? Well, it is not all just in your head! Unresolved arguments can be harmful to your health, and can potentially decrease your longevity! In this podcast (episode #274), I talk about the importance of resolving arguments, and the incredibly beneficial impact this can have on your wellbeing and quality of life.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that when people have resolved an argument, “the emotional response associated with the disagreement is significantly reduced”, while, “in…
In this podcast (episode #273), I talk to psychiatrist, professor and author Dr. Judson Brewer about on how anxiety drives our lives, what we can do to break the habit loops that keep us anxious, techniques to uproot anxiety at its source and manage our triggers, and more!
Starting in the 80s, research started coming out that anxiety could be driven in a habitual way. Dr. Jud has built on this research, showing people how to overcome anxiety in their own life through the way they change and deal with negative behaviors. …
In a recent podcast (episode #270), I talk about how life is not an “either this or that” game. Rather, it is an “and” game, which means that it is normal to hold two or more opposing ideas or feelings in your head at the same time, even in your relationships, and accepting this will save you a lot of mental distress!
I decided to do this podcast in response to a social media post I put up recently: “A person can have good qualities but still be toxic for you, and you can still love that person while not…
In this podcast (episode #269), I speak with N.Y. Times bestselling author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones about how fear is often the enemy of progress, how to become a “professional troublemaker”, what we need to get right within ourselves before we do the things that scare us but also help us grow, the power of doing better, and more!
As Luvvie talks about in her incredible new book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual, to get better at being human, sometimes we are going to have disrupt the spaces we are in and become “professional troublemakers”. …
In this podcast (episode #268), I talk about the neuroscience of kindness, the impact kindness has on our mind, brain and body and how to use mind management to be more kind!
Kindness is a powerful weapon. Not only does it make the world a better and safer place for everyone, it also is a great way to improve intelligence and brain health! As renowned author Henry James once said, “three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
In this podcast (episode #267), I spoke with Holocaust survivor, world-renowned psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Edith Eger about her experiences in Nazi Germany and as a psychologist working with other trauma survivors, as well as the incredible power of the human mind.
Dr. Edith Eger used her experiences during the Holocaust as an opportunity to learn how to live life from the inside out. As she notes in her incredible memoir, The Choice, Dr. Edie came to see hatred as something to be pitied — she recognized that the Nazis who abused and tormented her and killed her loved…
Dr. Caroline Leaf
Mental health expert. I have spent the last 30+ years researching ways to help people manage mental health issues in school, work, and life: drleaf.com
