

CLEANING UP YOUR MENTAL MESS with Dr. Caroline Leaf
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 17, 2023 • 54min
How to reinvent yourself when you’re stuck in life
Discover how to reinvent yourself and unlock your full potential with top podcast host Craig Siegel. Learn about setting intentions, embracing authenticity, overcoming limiting beliefs, and building a supportive community for personal growth. Explore the transformative power of taking action, reframing failure, and aligning enjoyment in work for true success. Dive into the science of memories and thoughts while finding inspiration to upgrade your mindset and design a fulfilling life.

Aug 14, 2023 • 16min
How extreme heat affects the brain + how to prevent any damage
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about keeping our brains and bodies healthy when it’s extremely hot outside. Although there still needs to be more research on how extreme temperatures affect the brain, they definitely have a negative impact with prolonged periods of heat exposure. Why? Temperature is one the main driver of chemical reactions, so changes in temperature affect the biochemistry of the brain and body. Read the blog here:https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-extreme-heat-affects-the-brain-how-to-prevent-any-damageSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf OFFERS 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:0:15 Extreme temperatures & the brain 1:00 What extreme heat can do to the brain & body1:28 Ways to keep cool during a heat wave 4:30 What happens in the brain when we are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time 7:00 Ways you & your children can cool down in the summertime 10:29 How to keep your child’s brain stimulated while spending time indoors 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.

Aug 10, 2023 • 22min
How to deal with bullies (advice for adults & kids)
Order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about an incredibly important subject: bullying, and what we can do as parents, educators and caregivers to help our children. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-help-your-child-if-they-are-being-bulliedOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -MUD\WTR: Just go to mudwtr.com/drleaf to support the show and use code DRLEAF for 15% off your order! -BetterHelp: Let therapy be your map, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/drleaf today to get 10% off your first month.Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:0:29 Bullying is a global issue 1:00 How bullying affects children mentally & physically 2:00 Some signs your child is being bullied 2:35 Bullying doesn’t just happen at school 3:10, 6:22 Ways we can be proactive & preventive against bullying 8:13 Preventing & stopping bullying requires community effort 13:25 How to help your child deal with the trauma of being bullied 16:55 How we can combat bullying at home, at school & in our communitiesADDITIONAL 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.

Aug 7, 2023 • 29min
The one thing to never say when setting boundaries
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com +Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about the importance of teaching your child about boundaries. This is part 2 of my series on parenting, boundaries, and mental health. Part one can be found here.Whenever you, as a parent or caregiver, set a boundary, make sure that you always explain why in a way that your child will understand. Use the moment to model healthy boundaries for your child and teach them what a healthy boundary looks like, using language that encourages your child to think about the situation and what it means. Avoid using language that shuts them down such as saying “because I said so”, which will make the boundary feel more like a punishment than a teaching opportunity. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-set-boundaries-while-still-respecting-validating-emotionsOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -AquaTru: 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Just go to https://AquaTru.com and enter code DRLEAF at checkout. Plus AquaTru comes with a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee so if you don’t like it just send it back for a refund, minus shipping. Turn back time on the appearance of your skin with Purity Woods’s Age-Defying Dream Cream! Go to puritywoods.com/DRLEAF or enter code DRLEAF at checkout for 10% off your first order. Just go to Zocdoc.com/LEAF and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:1:00, 5:00 How to help your child clean up their mental mess7:25 How to set boundaries with your child8:20 Why it is always important to explain the “why” behind a boundary9:40 Why we should avoid “Because I said so!” statements12:00, 17:48 How to use boundaries as a learning experience for your child 19:00 What happens when we don’t set boundaries with our children22:45, 25:02 How to validate what your child is feeling while setting boundaries 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.

Aug 3, 2023 • 21min
How to help your child clean up their mental mess: The ultimate guide for parents & teachers
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com +Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I share the first chapter of my new book How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess. The full audiobook is narrated by me! Sign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -NextEvo: Leave summer stress behind and upgrade your CBD. Go to NextEvo.com/DRLEAF to get 25% off + a FREE bottle of Premium Pure CBD ($50 value, limit 1 use per customer). -Nutrafol: Take the first step to visibly thicker, healthier hair. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code DRLEAF. 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.

Jul 31, 2023 • 35min
How to teach your kids about boundaries
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com +Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about the importance of teaching your child about boundaries. This is part 1 of a 2-part series on parenting, boundaries, and mental health. From the moment children are born, they are tied to their environment and the people within their environment. They are born into a community which they both shape and are shaped by. A child’s identity is closely tied to their community – their family, friends, and other acquaintances. Children develop a sense of who they are in relation to who they are with. This has both a huge potential for growth and connection and a huge potential for harm, which is why teaching your child how to have healthy relationships from a young age is so important for their mental and physical wellbeing. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/the-importance-of-teaching-children-boundariesSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -Qualia Senolytic: If you’re in your late 20’s or older, adding Qualia Senolytic to your diet can play a CRUCIAL role in combating negative aging symptoms. Go to neurohacker.com/LEAF for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic, and as a listener of Cleaning Up the Mental Mess use code LEAF at checkout for an extra 15% off your first purchase.-Babbel: So, if you want to learn a new language, try Babble today! Here's a special, limited time deal for my listeners to get you started RIGHT NOW - get 55% off your Babbel subscription - but only for my listeners - at Babbel.com/LEAF. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:2:00 How to help your child clean up their mental mess 8:20 Why it is important to teach your child about boundaries 11:20 Why we need to model boundaries for our children & teach them what boundaries look like in their own lives 14:20 Why it is important to create a safe space at home for our children 15:45 What boundaries are & why they are an important part of raising resilient children 18:16 Boundaries are for everyone, even young children! 22:40, 25:14 What it means to respect your child’s boundaries 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.

Jul 26, 2023 • 34min
How to heal after betrayal (with Lysa Terkeurst)
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com +Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to best-selling author, public figure and mother Lysa Terkeurst about healing after betrayal, how boundaries help us avoid extremes, finding resilience after a crisis, what healthy conflict looks like, and so much more! On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, Lysa found out that her husband of 30 years was having an affair and had a whole life outside of their marriage. Even after years of counseling and therapy, Lysa’s husband continued to live a life outside of their marriage, while Lysa was also experiencing a number of serious health issues, including breast cancer. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-heal-after-betrayal-with-lysa-terkeurstSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: To get your free bottle just go to magbreakthrough.com/drleaffree and enter coupon code drleaf10. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:1:38 Lysa’s story 6:10 Lysa’s amazing new book on boundaries & goodbyes 7:48 How healthy boundaries establish access & responsibility in a relationship 9:42 How to set healthy boundaries 10:50 Boundaries are not about changing other people 13:28 Examples of boundary conversations 17:00 The relationship between grief & boundaries 18:00 People pleasing & boundaries 22:22 How to avoid feeling guilt over setting boundaries 26:50 The difference between a difficult & destructive marriage 29:15 How a traumatic relationship can affect us mentally & physically 30:35 How boundaries help us avoid extremes 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.

Jul 24, 2023 • 42min
6 ways to develop your child’s self-esteem without encouraging narcissism
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com +Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this I talk about 6 ways to develop your child’s self-esteem without encouraging egotism or breeding narcissistic attitudes. As parents and guardians, we know that it is important to praise and compliment our children, especially when celebrating their achievements. However, we also need to avoid praising our children too much, which may encourage vanity and narcissistic-like behaviors. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/6-ways-to-develop-your-child-s-self-esteem-without-encouraging-narcissismSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -BetterHelp:Let therapy be your map, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/drleaf today to get 10% off your first month.-Purity Woods: Turn back time on the appearance of your skin with Purity Woods’s Age-Defying Dream Cream! Go to puritywoods.com/DRLEAF or enter code DRLEAF at checkout for 10% off your first order. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:4:20 The difference between building self-esteem & encouraging narcissism10:35 Why we as parents need to make time for ourselves as well 11:08 How we praise are kids is key to building healthy self-esteem 19:07 Why we need to let our children make mistakes & learn from their failures 22:40 How harsh criticism can impact your child’s self-esteem 31:48 Why we need to help our children see the value in their mistakes32:35 How team-building helps children develop healthy self-esteem 35:15 The connection between mind management, self-regulation & self-esteem 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.

Jul 20, 2023 • 46min
How to help sensitive children manage their emotions
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com+Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to Alicia, a concerned mother, about helping sensitive children manage their emotions. This is part of a series I am doing on questions you submitted for my new book on children’s mental health. This was Alicia’s question:“How do I help a sensitive seven-year-old move on after they make a mistake? I have a very sensitive seven year old girl. She likes to follow the rules. However, she does from time to time need some course correction. When I do so, she instantly withdraws, and becomes very quiet and sad, often for a long amount of time. I have a hunch that she’s beating herself up about whatever mistake she made, and I would love some help figuring out how to help her receive correction without being so hard on herself.”Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-help-sensitive-children-manage-their-emotionsSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-Chime: Start building your credit up. Open a Chime Checking account with at least a $200 qualifying direct deposit to get started. Get started at chime.com/drleaf. -ZBiotics: Go to zbiotics.com/DRLEAF to get 15% off your first order when you use DRLEAF at checkout. You can also sign up for a subscription using my code - so you can stay prepared no matter the time or occasion. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, they’ll refund your money, no questions asked. -MUD\WTR: Just go to mudwtr.com/drleaf to support the show and use code DRLEAF for 15% off your order!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 1:52 Alicia’s story & experiences as a parent3:45 Why we need to give ourselves permission to be messy parents6:32 Why we need to let our children know its okay to be a “mess”11:26, 14:00, 21:25 How to use mind management to help your child manage how they feel in the moment 38:10 How our experiences impact our minds, brains & bodies and tADDITIONAL 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.

Jul 17, 2023 • 38min
The difference between “safety net” parenting & “helicopter” parenting
Pre-order my new book HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD CLEAN UP THEIR MENTAL MESS here: https://www.mentallyresilientkids.com+Pre-order before August 8 to get access to bonus content! SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about the difference between “safety net” parenting and “helicopter” parenting. To help our children develop their sense of autonomy and build identity, we as parents and caregivers need to know how to get involved in our children’s lives without smothering them. I know this can be hard at times, especially when we feel the need to constantly protect our children from all the hard things in life. However, if we try to do this, we can end up impacting their growth and mental resilience, which will affect their ability to learn how to manage and deal with the challenges of life. Read the blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/the-difference-between-safety-net-parenting-helicopter-parentingSign up to Patreon to get access to full AD-FREE episodes, exclusive downloads, live Q&As, and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleafOFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:-Manukora Honey: head to https://MANUKORA.com/DRLEAF or use code DRLEAF, you’ll automatically get a free pack of honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. -ButcherBox: For a limited time, ButcherBox is giving us a special deal! Sign up today at https://butcherbox.com/DRLEAF and use code DRLEAF to get New York Strips for a year plus $20 off your first order.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 2:20, 9:10 What helicopter parenting is & how it impacts children14:35 How safety net parenting helps children build up mental resilience 19:00, 27:30 Using mind management & the Neurocycle to help your child clean up their mental mess 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.