The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 1KHO 688: How to Clean Up Your Mental Mess | Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch On Your Brain
Jan 23, 2026
In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist renowned for her work in mind–brain health, delves into why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you're broken. She illustrates her mind–brain–body model using the metaphor of thought 'trees' and highlights how multitasking fuels hurry sickness. Listeners will discover practical tips like the NeuroCycle method, emphasizing awareness and daily micro-actions for lasting change. Plus, insights on the positive impact of outdoor play and reading enrich mental well-being!
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Catch Triggers With Micro-Tools
- When triggered, use micro-tools from Help In A Hurry to catch the moment and choose to respond.
- Learn short, situation-specific steps so you don't escalate into people-pleasing or regret cycles.
Mind, Brain, Body Are Distinct
- The mind, brain, and body are three distinct but linked systems that build memory and behavior.
- Your mind (not the brain) drives change and can rewire brain and body patterns over time.
Mental Clouds, Brain Trees, Body Hedges
- Thoughts form 'clouds' in the mind that get stored as 'trees' in the brain and 'hedges' in the body.
- Memory and trauma live across mind, brain, and body, so healing must address all three.
