

The Dr. Leaf Show
Dr. Caroline Leaf
Hi! I’m Dr. Caroline Leaf. I’m a cognitive neuroscientist, author, & mental health expert. Whether you are struggling in your personal life or simply want to learn how to understand and use your mind to live your best life, this podcast will provide you with practical & scientific tips and tools to help you take back control over your mental, emotional, and physical health. Visit: https://drleaf.com*DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your personal physician if you have any personal medical questions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 16, 2023 • 44min
Podcast 457: This podcast will put you to sleep
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to Matt Gallant, author and CEO of BiOpitimizers and Nootopia, about what affects sleep quality, the relationship between sleep and mental health, the pros and cons of taking melatonin, why we all need different amounts of sleep, how to improve sleep quality naturally, and so much more!Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/this-podcast-will-put-you-to-sleepGet my favorite sleep supplement here: www.sleepbreakthrough.com/drleafOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-NOOM: Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com/DRLEAF. And check out Noom’s first ever book, The Noom Mindset, a deep dive into the psychology of behavior change. Available to buy now wherever books are sold.-BetterHelp: Get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/drleaf.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:2:40 Why we shouldn’t stress about sleep4:00 Some ways to avoid worrying about getting enough sleep6:00 Preparing for sleep starts during the day!7:05 The truth behind sleep trackers8:50, 12:29 How light affects sleep12:45, 31:00 Why it is better to optimize our natural melatonin production19:30 The different stages of sleep & why they are important22:40 Supplements that can help improve sleep quality naturally24:00 The importance of body temperature when sleeping28:25 Why a sleep schedule is so helpful34:30 How eating right before bed disrupts sleep quality37:00 The benefits of quieting down the brain before bedADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 2023 • 28min
Podcast 456: How to Navigate Colliding Boundaries in Relationships: Part 2
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about what happens when boundaries collide in relationships, and how to navigate tense situations. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Boundaries are a hot topic these days. Many people post about the importance of boundaries, how to set them and how to respect them, all of which are important. Boundaries help us build stronger relationships with the people in our life. They help us increase our respect for ourselves as we learn how to recognize our own limits and protect our mental health, while acknowledging that other people also have their limits. Once we start setting our own boundaries and respecting other people’s boundaries, we tend to see a huge improvement in our own mental health and in our relationships. The more we set our own boundaries, the more we learn to understand and respect the boundaries of the people in our lives.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-navigate-colliding-boundaries-in-relationships-part-2OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-Nootopia by BiOptimizers: For an exclusive offer for my listeners go to www.nootopia.com/drleafgenius and use drleaf10 during checkout to save 10 percent. There’s no risk to try it because you’re protected by a 365-day full money back guarantee.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:1:40 How to use mind management & the Neurocycle to manage colliding boundaries3:00 The Communication Neurocycle for colliding boundaries11:00 The Balance Neurocycle for colliding boundaries20:15 The Trust Neurocycle for colliding boundariesADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2023 • 56min
Podcast 455: How to turn stress into strength in 7 days
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to Dr. Elisa Epel, bestselling author and Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco. We talk about stress management and the mind, why telomeres are so important, how sex and marriage impacts our stress levels, and so much more!Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/the-best-stress-fitness-routine-to-help-you-better-metabolize-stress-promote-healthier-emotional-responsesOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-NED’s Shuteye Chai: Discover how Shuteye Chai can revolutionize your sleep and get 15% off with code DRLEAF. Go to helloned.com/DRLEAF or enter code DRLEAF at checkout.-Air Doctor: AirDoctor comes with a no questions asked, 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it, just send it back for a refund, minus shipping. So head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code DRLEAF and, depending on the model, you’ll receive UP TO 40% off.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:4:40 Elisa’s amazing work on the mind-body connection5:45 The power of understanding our own narratives7:00, 20:05 Telomeres, stress & aging10:25 Mind management, aging & telomeres10:52 The difference between biological & chronological age14:47 What stress is & how we can learn to manage it21:30 Why our perception of stress is so powerful25:00 How chronic stress affects the mind, brain & body33:30, 40:08 Ways we can better manage stress & improve our health and longevityADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 6, 2023 • 28min
Podcast 454: What to do when boundaries collide in relationships
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about what happens when boundaries collide in relationships, and how to navigate tense situations. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Boundaries are a hot topic these days. Many people post about the importance of boundaries, how to set them and how to respect them, all of which are important. Boundaries help us build stronger relationships with the people in our life. They help us increase our respect for ourselves as we learn how to recognize our own limits and protect our mental health, while acknowledging that other people also have their limits. Once we start setting our own boundaries and respecting other people’s boundaries, we tend to see a huge improvement in our own mental health and in our relationships. The more we set our own boundaries, the more we learn to understand and respect the boundaries of the people in our lives.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/what-to-do-when-boundaries-collide-in-relationshipsOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/LEAF and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours!-Elo Health: It’s time to start taking supplements that are tailored to YOU. Get your FREE blood biomarker test (a $200 value) by going to elo.health and entering code DRLEAF.-Calm: And, for listeners of the show, Calm is offering an exclusive offer of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at CALM.COM/DRLEAF.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:0:45 How important boundaries are1:10 What happens when boundaries collide5:30 Why it is important to reflect on our boundaries & learn how to negotiate boundaries that collide with others6:46 What happens in the brain & body when boundaries collide11:54 How to use mind management to handle colliding boundaries15:16, 20:58 Why self-reflection is so important when dealing with colliding boundariesADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2023 • 31min
Podcast 453: Is there a cure for intrusive thoughts?
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about intrusive thoughts, and how to manage them using what I call “thinker moments”. Intrusive thinking is can be defined as uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts that we feel unable to resist. This kind of thinking is often a way of coping with an underlying, unresolved issue. It’s not always the most effective or sustainable way to deal with pain or trauma, but it’s a coping mechanism—a type of distraction you use to try to keep the source of your pain bearable, at least in the short term.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/intrusive-thoughtsOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-ButcherBox: ButcherBox is offering my listeners one of their best deals yet: a 100% grass-fed chuck roast and a whole organic chicken FREE when you join plus an additional $20 off your first box. Sign up today at butcherbox.com/DRLEAF and use code DRLEAF to get a 100% grass-fed chuck roast and a whole chicken FREE in your first box plus $20 off.-Open: If you want to get on my daily routine, you can get 30 days free of Open by visiting withopen.com/DRLEAF. And don’t forget to follow your friends on the app so that you can join the community as well!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:1:30 Intrusive thoughts are a global problem!2:50, 7:30 What intrusive thoughts are8:00 Why we must weaken intrusive thoughts9:00 Mind management & intrusive thoughts9:50 The importance of thinker moments & how they train us to be more self-regulated12:05 The brain is constantly changing—it is neuroplastic12:30 Whatever we focus on the most grows, including intrusive thoughts14:00 The power of being alone with our thoughts19:00 How to get into a “thinker mindset”21:00 How thinker moments affect the brain23:00, 26:15 Tips to use thinker moments to build up mental resilience & manage intrusive thoughtsADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 30, 2023 • 32min
Podcast 452: How to build a healthy relationship to time & avoid the “quick-fix” trap
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about a great way to improve your wellbeing and resilience: the time mindset! The time mindset is about harnessing the power of our thoughts to think deeply, learn powerfully and deal with the fast-paced, digital, instant age we live in to lead lives filled with meaning. It is all about changing how you think, feel and choose around the concept of time, that is changing your relationship with time!Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-build-a-healthy-relationship-to-time-avoid-the-quick-fix-trapOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-BiOptimizer’s Magnesium Breakthrough: or an exclusive offer for my listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/drleaf. In addition to the 10% discount you get by using promo code drleaf10, you will unlock a special gift with purchase - for a limited time only.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:3:08 Why mindsets are so important3:25 How to deal with the fast-paced age we live in4:26 Why we need to change the way we think about time9:00, 15:20 It takes time to change!10:10 What the research tells us about time16:31, 19:58 How to change your relationship to time using mind managementADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 2023 • 49min
Podcast 451: Debunking the Myth of the Perfect Parent
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I speak with teacher, parent, and an emotional development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell, who runs Seed and Sew, an organization that is passionate about helping early childhood educators, parents and children create an emotionally intelligent world together. Alyssa and I talk about how parenting has moved from being an instinctive process to one that is guided by experts, how the wellbeing of the parent impacts the wellbeing of the child, how to recognize and develop resilience in children, how to avoid pathologizing childhood, and so much more!Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/debunking-the-myth-of-the-perfect-parentOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/LEAF and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours!-BetterHelp: Get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/drleaf.-Qualia Mind: Go to neurohacker.com/DRLEAF for $100 OFF, that’s only $39 a bottle and as a listener of Cleaning Up the Mental Mess use code DRLEAF at checkout for an extra 15% off your first purchase.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:2:34 Why Alyssa is passionate about helping parents & children4:02 How to raise emotionally intelligent children7:10 It is never too late to change how you parent!11:20 The importance of teaching children empathy15:18 Fragility versus resilience in kids20:40 The myth of the perfect parent24:45 How to avoid pathologizing childhood32:05 The power of collaborative parenting35:00 Why you need to practice self-care as a parent42:45 How to meet a child where they are & help them growADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 2023 • 17min
Podcast 450: How to Use the Neurocycle to Deal With Regret
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about managing regret. As the new year approaches, we generally start to think about all the changes we want to happen in our lives. Likewise, many of us may find ourselves reflecting back on the previous year, and sometimes that reflection comes with a lot of regret. We may think back to our last New Year’s Eve and about all the resolutions we made then that we didn’t fulfill, or about all the mistakes we made in 2022 that we wish we could change.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-the-neurocycle-to-deal-with-regretOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-NED’s Shuteye Chai: Discover how Shuteye Chai can revolutionize your sleep and get 15% off with code DRLEAF. Go to helloned.com/DRLEAF or enter code DRLEAF at checkout.-Chime: So start your credit journey with Chime. Sign up takes only two minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score.Get started at chime.com/drleaf.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:1:02 Dealing with regret at the beginning of a new year4:30 What I am doing this year to manage my regrets5:32, 10:44 How to use mind management to deal with regrets & change the way they affect your presentADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 2023 • 1h 4min
Podcast 449: Addressing Adolescent ADD & ADHD with Child Psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi Part 2
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, professor, mental health advocate and author Sami Timimi about the dangers of pathologizing childhood, the myths surrounding ADHD, a better way to approach children’s mental health, and more. This is part 2 of a series I did with Dr. Timimi, so if you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, we recommend doing so before listening to this podcast.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/addressing-adolescent-add-adhd-with-child-psychiatrist-dr-sami-timimi-part-2OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-BetterHelp: get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/drleaf.-Open: If you want to get on my daily routine, you can get 30 days free of Open by visiting withopen.com/DRLEAF. And don’t forget to follow your friends on the app so that you can join the community as well!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:2:38 The manufacture of ADHD7:50, 10:00 The genetic myths surrounding ADHD9:47 Behavioral issues & the impossibility of disentangling nature and nurture26:18 The failure of ADHD brain imaging studies31:00 Where brain scans fall short: the debate between trait or state of mind37:00, 51:30 The chemical imbalance myth & ADHD57:00 There is hope!ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 16, 2023 • 20min
Podcast 448: My #1 Tip to Make This Your Best Year
Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.appSHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about a helpful way to approach 2023: starting each morning with a few minutes of directed mind management! It is important to remember that whatever you think about the most will grow. Your mind drives your life, which is why mind management is so important. Your mind drives the functionality of your brain, which drives the functionality of your body. This means that the mind is embodied. It impacts your mental and physical health and how you show up in life.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafRead the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/my-1-tip-to-make-this-your-best-yearOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-BiOptimizer’s Magnesium Breakthrough: For an exclusive offer for my listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/drleaf. In addition to the 10% discount you get by using promo code drleaf10, you will unlock a special gift with purchase - for a limited time only.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:2:20 Whatever you think about the most will grow3:00 Why mind management is so important3:51 How the Neurocycle can help you manage your mind5:40, 8:40 Why the way you wake up is so important9:35 The power of mind management & journaling first thing in the morningADDITIONAL RESOURCES:-Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com-Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com!- Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/--Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


