The Verywell Mind Podcast

Hope keeps us going through tough times. But we’ve all had times when we’ve felt utterly hopeless. It’s so hard to push through when you don’t have any hope that things will get better.Maybe you have a health issue that causes you to feel utterly hopeless about the future. You might be convinced that no matter what you do or what medication you try, you’re never going to feel better.Or you might feel hopeless about your financial situation. Looking at your mounting debt may cause you to think that there’s no way you’re ever going to dig yourself out.Mental health issues can also cause hopelessness. One of the main symptoms of depression involves a lack of hope. And not having any hope can worsen your mental health. It’s a two-way street.Here's my favorite science-backed strategy for cultivating hope. It only takes a few minutes, but doing it can help you feel happier and more hopeful about the future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brooke Shields has worked in Hollywood since 1978 as an actress and a model. She’s starred on magazine covers across the globe, appeared in movies like The Blue Lagoon, and starred in the TV show Suddenly Susan.She’s also a New York Times Best Selling author. In 2005, her book Down Came the Rain talked about the debilitating postpartum depression she experienced after the birth of her daughter, and this helped reduce the stigma associated with postpartum depression. In 2014, her book There Was a Little Girl chronicled her life growing up with a single mother who became her show business manager. One of Brooke’s latest ventures is Beginning is Now, a website that combats ageism. At age 56, she is showing women that life doesn’t end at 40. Instead, it’s just beginning!Some of the things she talks about today are the stereotypes about aging that she is trying to break, how to stop comparing yourself to others, and how to get more excited about life at any age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you don’t feel like working out any longer or you don’t feel like cleaning the house, it’s tough to push yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing.That’s because your brain will try to hijack your behavior. It might tell you that you’re too tired to keep going. Or it might distract you with catastrophic thoughts. But you don’t have to believe your brain when it tells you that you can’t stand to keep going. In fact, pushing yourself to do things you don’t want to do is a great way to show your brain that you’re more capable and competent than it gives you credit for.Here are seven strategies that can help you keep pushing forward when you feel like quitting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terry Crews is an NFL player turned actor and TV host. He has appeared on shows like Everybody Hates Chris and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s also hosted shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent.He’s the author of a new book called Tough. In it, he shares stories from his childhood, his experiences in the NFL, and how his idea of real toughness has evolved over the years. Some of the things he talks about in today's episode are how his definition of toughness has evolved over the years, how he healed from his addiction to pornography, and how he broke free from the shame that held him back in life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you want to lose weight or you want to get out of debt, change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. And much of that process happens long before we even begin to create change.Here are the six stages of change, how to identify which stage you're in, and what you can do to move through each stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When your nervous system is activated and you feel complete panic, thinking calming thoughts might not cut it. Or, when you feel so angry you can’t think clearly, you won’t be able to have a productive problem-solving conversation. Sometimes, it’s helpful to calm your nervous system first. Changing your body’s physiology can calm both your brain and your body.That’s where TIPP comes in. It involves four strategies that can change your body's physiology. And when you've calmed your nervous system down, managing your emotions becomes much easier.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Barker is the creator of a blog called Barking Up the Wrong Tree which presents scientific answers about how to "be awesome at life." He’s also the author of two best-selling books. Barking Up the Wrong Tree addressed the science of success. His new book, Plays Well With Others, discusses the science behind relationships. Some of the things Eric talks about are why friends might be more important than family when it comes to our health and well-being, how to combat loneliness, and the science behind developing more meaningful friendships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever think you just don’t have any more to give? Are you emotionally exhausted? Do you feel cynical and hopeless? These are just a few signs that you might be experiencing burnout. High levels of chronic stress combined with a sense of feeling stuck can lead to burnout. You can’t always control all the factors that contribute to burnout. An unhealthy work environment may be to blame.But there are steps you can take to improve your individual situation. A few changes to your lifestyle might go a long way toward helping you feel better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lisa Bilyeu is co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a billion-dollar company. She’s also the president of Impact Theory, a weekly interview show that uncovers how achievers become successful.She’s now the author of a book called Radical Confidence. In it, she describes how changing her mindset helped her create the life of her dreams.Some of the things she talks about in today's episode are how gratitude was actually keeping her stuck in life, the difference between confidence and radical confidence, and the tools you need to create your best life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When someone is gaslighting you, you’ll likely second guess yourself. Gaslighters are good at convincing you that you’ve lost touch with reality.Whether they lie about your behavior, insist your feelings are irrational, or say your thoughts are distorted, their goal is to cause you to feel as though you’re losing your mind.While gaslighting is most often discussed in terms of romantic relationships, it can occur in other relationships too. Your boss, friends, extended family, or even your doctor may gaslight you. It’s tough to know what’s real and what isn’t when someone gaslights you. So on today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share four strategies that can help you stay mentally strong when someone is gaslighting you. I explain how to recognize gaslighting and what to do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices