Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

If you struggle to understand your feelings and don't know what to do with them, you're not alone. Most of us weren't ever taught how to identify what we're feeling, let alone manage those feelings. That's why so many people try to avoid feeling anything at all. Author Jennie Allen knows a thing or two about avoiding emotions. She says for much of her life, she tried to fix everything to avoid fee...

Whether you're reaching for personal or professional goals, there are some tiny changes you can make that will have big results. These small changes can have a significant impact on your ability to build mental strength, stay motivated, and achieve your goals. Some of the things I share are how to create a good goal, how to build momentum that helps you stay on track, and the tiny changes that wil...

There are a lot of societal pressures for women to act a certain way. Some of these pressures are subtle while others are more obvious. But the messages women start receiving at a young age can take a toll on their self-worth. When Kara Loewentheil became an Ivy League graduate turned women's rights lawyer, she realized the reason she still didn't feel good enough was because she had bought into s...

Whether you're tempted to judge if someone is a good person based on whether they return their shopping cart or you judge music and movies, judgments aren't facts. And they're surprisingly bad for your mental health. This one simple shift in the way you word something makes a big difference to your psychological well-being. In fact, it's a common strategy used in the therapy office that can help p...

How much time do you spend in nature? Most of us spend far more time indoors than outdoors. And we're more likely to be surrounded by electronics than trees. Craig Foster, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind My Octopus Teacher, says we've lost touch with our wild side. Not only is that bad for our psychological well-being, but it's harmful to the ecosystem. He's written a book called Amphib...

There are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to be mentally stronger and how to know when you are gaining strength. Unfortunately, society often rewards us for acting tough while not actually being strong. This can lead to confusion and frustration about whether you are getting better and growing stronger. As a therapist, I want everyone to know that if you are doing any of these 10 thing...

Panic attacks and anxiety are common. But almost no one talks about how to deal with them. For years, Matt Gutman, the Chief National Correspondent for ABC News, kept his panic attacks secret. He worried what people would think if he revealed his mental health struggles. After years of suffering in silence, followed by years of searching for help, he's written a book to help others learn how to co...

It's probably second nature to get some physical distance from something stressing you out when you can. But what about those times when you can't? You can't run away from a traffic jam or physically escape bad news. Fortunately, you can always get psychological distance. Some things you'll learn are strategies for gaining psychological distance, when to use this tool, and how to make it most effe...

Improving your communication skills could improve your life in many ways. From deeper relationships to healthier conflict resolution, your communication skills play a large part in the overall quality of your life. Bestselling author Charles Duhigg says we all have the ability to sharpen our communication skills and become what he calls "supercommunicators." Some of the things he shares today are...

What are some sentimental items you keep despite the fact that they really serve no practical purpose? Whether you keep clothes that no longer fit or you have a collection of birthday cards from childhood, the items you keep could reveal a lot about you. Here's what the research says about sentimental items, what your keepsakes reveal about you, and the link between emotional attachment to your it...

The fear of the unknown can cause us to over-plan, micromanage, and worry about things that are beyond our control. But coping with uncertainty feels uncomfortable. According to author/professor Brian Klaas, many of the things that shape our lives aren't really within our control. A chance meeting at the grocery store might have a much more profound effect on your life than where you went to colle...

From job rejections to health problems, bad news is part of life. But the way you respond to bad news can make all the difference in how you feel as you move forward. Staying mentally strong in the face of bad news can help you solve a problem, cope better, and manage your stress. Here are seven strategies that can help you cope with whatever challenges life throws your way. Resources 7Cups.com Of...

Although everyone experiences grief sometimes, no one talks about how to grieve. Not knowing what to do when you're experiencing serious emotional pain can compound the hurt. And if you're not careful, you might unknowingly do things that worsen the pain. Fortunately, Meghan Jarvis has studied the concrete strategies that heal. She's a psychotherapist who, after losing both of her parents, realize...

Mental strength is built with exercise, the same way physical strength is built. However, mental strength exercises don't have to be painful or complicated to be effective. There are many small things you can do every day to grow mentally stronger. Sometimes, slight shifts in the way you think, manage your emotions, or take action can make a huge difference to your mindset. Here are five simple bu...

Do you ever feel bored or stuck in a rut? If so, you're not alone. It's easy to go through life on autopilot. But inventor, author, and Harvard professor Jeff Karp says it doesn't have to be that way. Jeff is a biomedical engineer who has invented many interesting things. He's also the author of a new book called LIT: Life Ignition Tools. Some of the things he shares today are how to spark new ide...

It's tough to find a therapist sometimes. The last thing you want to do when you're stressed out or battling a mental health issue is research how to find someone you can talk to. But if you just go with the first therapist you find, you might find they're not the best match for you. Research shows the number one factor that determines the effectiveness of your treatment is your relationship with...

Kindness isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. But too many people worry that they'll be taken advantage of or that they'll finish last if they're kind. James Rhee says kindness is what will help you succeed in life. James is a Harvard Law graduate, high school teacher, and private equity investor who was tasked with saving a women's clothing company from liquidation. He's also the au...

Venting actually fuels anger and keeps you stuck in a negative mindset. But many people have bought into the idea that you have to vent your frustrations so you don't explode. Research shows there are much more effective ways to manage your anger. Some of the things I share are why venting is bad for your mental health, how to process your emotions more healthily, and how to manage your emotions e...

The way you think affects everything from the way you feel to the way you perform. It also affects your physical health. There's plenty of research that shows your thought patterns influence your body in some interesting ways. Dr. Josh Axe learned this firsthand when he was diagnosed with a serious illness. While he used to think nutrition could heal almost anything, he now realizes mindset is the...

Do you dwell on the negative? If so, you're not alone. Our brains are hardwired to look for negative things in life so we will be aware of danger. But it's important for your mental health to also notice good things in life. And it's possible to do so without crossing the line into toxic positivity. Some of the things I share are why it's hard to look for good news, why it's so important to proact...

It's well known that physical activity can improve your mental health. But how much exercise do you really need? What exercise is best for your psychological well-being? Can going for a walk really combat depression? Those are just some of the questions we'll cover with neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola. Louisa founded Neuro Athletics, a consulting firm that provides scientific strategies to help at...

Mental health advice on social media can be downright dangerous. Research has shown that many of the tips and much of the advice on managing mental health just aren't credible, even though they are popular. So I decided to call out some of the most popular, yet awful advice I've seen being shared on social media lately. Here are 10 pieces of unhealthy mental health advice that are often shared by...

While there's a lot of information about improving your physical health, there's much less information about improving your brain health. Improving your brain health isn't just about doing puzzles to improve your memory. There are lots of other ways to improve your brain health. Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a physician who studies brain health and decision-making. Some of the things he talks about tod...

Journaling provides a long list of mental health benefits. But staring at a blank page feels intimidating. Fortunately, the Three-Minute Mental Makeover prompts give you the structure you need. Research shows it's an effective, quick strategy that can reduce your stress fast. Some of the things I share are how this quick writing exercise helped doctors and families reduce their stress, how to cond...

Narcissists are everywhere. And whether your boss is a narcissist, or you're in a relationship with one, their behavior can take a toll on you if you're not prepared. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stay mentally strong when they're trying to manipulate you, they're blaming you, and they're acting out. Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a licensed psychologist who has authored several books on n...