Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

Do you find the more you try to stop thinking about something unpleasant, the more those unwanted thoughts keep popping up in your brain? Whether you're trying to quit thinking about an ex after your breakup, or you want to quit rehashing that conversation that didn't go well earlier in the day, it's hard to get your brain to stop thinking about something.Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop ruminating and deal with intrusive thoughts. Today, I share how to change the channel in your brain so you can focus on more pleasant things. When you do, you'll feel better.Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength!Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't DoOffers From Our SponsorsBetterHelp — Visit BetterHelp.com/mentallystrong today to get 10% off your first month!Babbel — Get 50% off on a one-time payment for a lifetime Babbel subscription at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify — Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystronger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a lot of information about the mind/body connection and the ways exercise, in general, is good for mental health. But there's a lot less information about the specific exercises that can target certain aspects of emotional well-being. For example, running is just as effective in combating depression as antidepressants. And one of the best ways to reduce anxiety involves lifting weights. Swimming can even reduce the brain damage caused by stress.Some of the things I discuss today are the best exercises to combat seven specific mental health concerns, the science behind them, and the ways you can use movement to build mental strength.Sign up for Mentally Stronger Premium — Ask Amy questions, get exclusive bonus episodes, and access to the Mentally Stronger private community!Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't DoOffers From Our SponsorsBabbel - Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify - Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystronger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychotherapist Jessica Baum discusses anxious attachment in relationships, including coping strategies and healing techniques. Topics covered include understanding attachment styles, the challenges of self-abandonment and grief processing in breakups, and tips for finding secure love through recognizing attachment styles, taking a quiz, and seeking therapy.

Studies consistently show that kids are telling us they're academically prepared for life beyond high school but not emotionally prepared. Fortunately, we can change that. A few shifts in the way we support kids can make a big difference in their ability to build mental strength.In this episode, I explain how to play an active role in helping your children develop the skills necessary to navigate life's challenges. I share practical exercises that teach kids how to manage their feelings healthily and deal with unhelpful thoughts. These small interventions can give kids the tools they need to become stronger, healthier people.Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength!Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't DoOffers From Our SponsorsLMNT - Get your electrolytes in balance with LMNT. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/stronger and get a free sample pack with any purchase!EveryPlate - Get a meal for $1.49 PLUS $1 steaks for life by going to EveryPlate.com/podcast and entering code 49mentallystronger Subscription must be active to qualify and redeem $1 steak.Babbel - Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify - Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystronger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a preview of the 10th "Ask Me Anything (AMA)" episode, which is part of Mentally Stronger Premium. Today, I'm responding to a listener who finds himself in a sticky situation. He wasn't honest with his therapist, and now he's not sure how to come clean.Listeners who subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium get weekly bonus episodes, opportunities to ask questions, and exclusive monthly bonuses that include my signed books, advanced mental strength exercises, and tools to help you unlock your greatest potential.If you aren't a member yet, join me today and you'll get this month's bonus gift sent to you! Sign up for Mentally Stronger Premium and get full access to previous episodes and all future bonuses.Current subscribers can log in and listen to the full episode as well as all other episodes.Become a Premium SubscriberSign up at MentallyStronger.Supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quest is different from a goal. But a quest doesn't need to be lifelong. Instead, you could create lots of short, fun quests that add value to your life.Best-selling author James Altucher has created lots of quests for himself — from becoming a standup comedian to trying to buy a foreign country. Some of the things he talks about today are how to develop a fun quest, what you'll gain from it, and how your adventure can help you grow mentally stronger.ResourcesJamesAltucherShow.comOffers From Our SponsorsLMNT - Get your electrolytes in balance with LMNT. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/stronger, and get a free sample pack with any purchase.EveryPlate - Get a meal for $1.49 PLUS $1 steaks for life by going to EveryPlate.com/podcast and entering code 49mentallystronger. Subscription must be active to qualify and redeem $1 steak.Babbel - Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify - Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystrongerSubscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength.Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While calming music and meditation may work for mild anxiety, these may not be effective for intense anxiety. Fortunately, there's a simple and fast strategy that can help you cope with serious anxiety. By utilizing the mammalian dive reflex, the body's panic response is halted right away, and you'll experience a calming effect. You can get the reflex to kick in within 30 seconds to slow your heart rate and reduce your anxiety fast. Some of the things I share are why traditional coping skills don't work for intense anxiety, how to trigger the mammalian dive reflex, and the science behind why it works so well.Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength.Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't DoOffers From Our SponsorsLMNT — Get your electrolytes in balance with LMNT. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/stronger and get a free sample pack with any purchase.Every Plate - Get a meal for $1.49 PLUS $1 steaks for life by going to EveryPlate.com/podcast and entering code 49mentallystronger Subscription must be active to qualify and redeem $1 steak.Babbel — Learn a new language fast. Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERPaired - Connect with your partner every day using Paired. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/STRONGER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Magnesium is being touted as a powerful solution to anxiety, depression, insomnia, memory problems, and attention span. But is the hype realistic?Dr. Jennifer Gu is a researcher who studies how Magnesium affects the brain and the body. She explains why so many people are magnesium deficient, how adding a supplement could benefit you, and why Magtein may be a better option than a general magnesium supplement.Here are a few things she discusses: How magnesium can help improve cognitive function, attention, and memory. Why Magtein, a specific type of magnesium supplement, can have positive effects on mental health. How magnesium can improve sleep quality and reduce restlessness at night. How magnesium supplements can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and increase concentration. Why magnesium may have potential benefits for conditions such as Alzheimer's and ADHD. ResourcesLearn more about MagteinOffers From Our SponsorsGreen Chef - Go to greenchef.com/60mentallystronger and use code 60mentallystronger to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months.Paired - Connect with your partner every day using Paired. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/STRONGERBabbel - Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify - Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystrongerSubscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength.Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you say to a loved one who predicts the worst-case scenario? Or how do you help someone who is convinced everything is going to go wrong? Your response could either add fuel to the fire or help them extinguish their anxious thoughts.It's tough to know how to help someone deal with anxious thoughts. Some of the things I share today are how to listen so they can calm themselves down, the best questions to ask, and the phrases that can help them discover their inner strength.Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength.Connect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't DoOffers From Our SponsorsLMNT — Get your electrolytes in balance with LMNT. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/stronger and get a free sample pack with any purchase.Every Plate - Get a meal for $1.49 PLUS $1 steaks for life by going to EveryPlate.com/podcast and entering code 49mentallystronger. Subscription must be active to qualify and redeem $1 steak.Babbel — Get 55% off at Babbel.com/STRONGERShopify — Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/mentallystronger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trauma is not solely determined by the severity of an event but rather by its impact on an individual's perception of themselves and the world. "Tiny t" traumas are cumulative, low-grade traumas that build up over time and can have a profound effect on mental health.Dr. Meg Arroll, the author of Tiny Traumas: When You Don't Know What's Wrong, But Nothing Feels Quite Right, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating these experiences, as they can often be dismissed or minimized. She introduces her AAA approach to coping with "tiny t" traumas, which involves awareness, acceptance, and action.Some of the things she talks about are how "tiny t" traumas might be taking a toll on you, what sort of events are considered "tiny t" traumas, and the steps you can take to recover from them.Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get exclusive bonus episodes, access to the Mentally Stronger community, and answers to your questions about mental strength.Links & ResourcesVisit Dr. Meg's website - DrMegArroll.comCheck out her book - Tiny TraumasConnect with the ShowBuy Amy's books on mental strengthConnect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthorEmail the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.comOrder 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do.Offers From Our SponsorsLMNT - Get your electrolytes in balance with LMNT. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/stronger, and get a free sample pack with any purchase.Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/stronger and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices