Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

Neurochemicals not only contribute to the idea of "happy hormones" but also play specific roles related to motivation, connection, mood, and stress relief. Once you know how to regulate those hormones — and how to give yourself the right dose — you can grow mentally stronger. My guest is TJ Power, a neuroscientist and the author of The Dose Effect. Some of the things we discuss are: The four key b...

Conflict doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, arguments with your partner can make your relationship stronger — but only if you know how to have healthy disagreements. Some of the things I share in this episode are: The 3 crucial strategies for healthy disagreements How to use conflict to strengthen your relationship The counterproductive behaviors that make conflict worse Constructive conflic...

People are not born inspirational. Everyone has the ability to cultivate the skills necessary to inspire others. So whether you want to inspire your kids to change their behavior, inspire your friends to live out their dreams, or inspire your colleagues to take a risk, you have the power to do that once you know how. Adam Galinksy is a psychologist, professor at Columbia Business School, and the a...

Habits play a crucial role in mental strength. They influence how you manage stress, how well you focus, and how you make decisions. That's why it's so important to work on building helpful habits while eliminating the ones keeping you stuck. Some of the things I share today are: The most common misconceptions about habits The science behind habit loops and how understanding this is crucial to und...

Anxiety is one of the most treatable yet under-treated mental health issues. Most people struggle with it for years before getting help. But you don't have to live with anxiety forever. Dr. Nicole Cain is known for integrating holistic practices with cutting-edge neuroscience to heal anxiety from its roots. Some of the things we discuss are: The nine types of anxiety and their treatment approaches...

Have you been struggling to forgive someone who hurt you? You’re not alone. Forgiveness can feel heavy, confusing, and even impossible at times. But what if forgiveness isn’t just about the person who wronged you—it’s a gift you give to yourself? Fascinating psychological research reveals why letting go of anger and resentment is crucial for your mental and physical wellbeing. You don’t need to co...

Financial stress often has less to do with how much money you have and more to do with your mindset about money. Whether you're worried that you can't keep up with people in your life or you fear that you may not have enough later, addressing your financial anxiety begins when you understand the ties between money and psychology. My guest, Elizabeth Husserl, is a registered investment advisor and...

Physical and mental fitness are intertwined. Exercise can improve your mind in many ways, such as alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving creativity. Research shows that even minimal exercise can boost your mood and self-confidence. Some of the things I share: What the science says about the link between exercise and mental health The key benefits of strength training and how...

Niko Moon is a country pop singer known for upbeat and positive songs like "Good Time" and "Better Days." Behind those feel-good songs, though, are some tough times. He's struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, and he almost quit music when he couldn't break into the industry. But he found help with therapy, and now he establishes simple daily routines that help him build mental strength. Some o...

Small habits applied consistently over time can help you build unstoppable mental strength. A stronger mindset starts with easy-to-remember strategies that can be summed up by "TLC." Some of the things I share are: How to reframe unhelpful thoughts How to find positive things in life every single day Why it's important to challenge your brain's assumptions about your capabilities What it really me...

You probably grew up learning that compliance is a good thing. And you might assume you know when to break the rules — like if you're asked to do something unethical or immoral. However, research shows we often underestimate how likely we are to go with the flow or follow directions, even when those actions go against our values. Dr. Sunita Sah is an award-winning professor at Cornell University a...

Our early life lessons shape our beliefs and behaviors in adulthood. It's important to remember that childhood struggles are not indicative of character flaws but rather developmental imprints on us. Fortunately, you can learn to recognize the beliefs you've held since childhood that no longer serve you. And when you do, you can break free from ingrained patterns that hold you back in life. Some o...

If you've ever dieted to lose weight, this episode is for you. We'll discuss the risks of dieting, emotional eating, and cravings and how diet culture leads to unhealthy habits. Dr. Supatra Tovar is a clinical psychologist, registered dietitian, and accredited fitness expert. She's also the author of Deprogram Diet Culture. Some of the things she talks about are: The problems with diet culture Wha...

Whether you want your partner to quit eating so many sugary treats or your colleague to have a better attitude, you're in a powerful position to influence others. While lecturing or nagging doesn't work (and, in fact, can make things worse), there are proven strategies that can influence other people to change. Developing a clear plan can help you guide someone to change their behavior without ove...

We're counting down the most popular episodes of the year and sharing the number one mental strength tip from each show. Discover the top tips from our experts, guests, and most listened-to episodes to wrap up the 2024 season of Mentally Stronger. Some of the things I talk about are: How to quickly identify the emotional cause of your habits The link between memories and emotions Why venting makes...

Giant new year resolutions don't work. But a small daily habit could have a profound effect on your life when you engage in them consistently throughout the year. That's why I love the Joy Snapshot--not only is it fun to do but you'll be building mental strength throughout the year while you do it. Some of the things I discuss are: How to practice the Joy Snapshot every day The science behind why...

Do you ever wonder why it's so hard to change a habit? Even when we know something might make our lives better, we often get stuck in the same old patterns. But Dr. Ross Ellenhorn says there's good reason to stay the same. And until we acknowledge those reasons, we aren't likely to change our lives. Dr. Ellenhorn is a renowned psychotherapist and the author of How We Change (And 10 Reasons We Don'...

Most new year resolutions — whether centered on fitness, finances, or breaking bad habits like smoking — fail to last. That's why it's important to create resolutions that will help you grow mentally stronger. When you have more mental strength, you can reach your goals. Some of the things I share in this episode are: The importance of mindset over traditional resolution pitfalls How mental streng...

Do you want to get more done in fewer hours? Dr. Mithu Storoni can tell you how. She's an expert in stress and brain health, known for her research on optimizing cognitive performance and managing mental fatigue. She is the author of the book Hyperefficient, which delves into the neuroscience behind becoming more efficient with time and quality of work. Some of the things we talk about today are:...

Whether you're dealing with passive-aggressive comments or facing outright rudeness, these powerful scripts can transform these awkward or confrontational moments into opportunities for mental strength. When you have a word-for-word response to inappropriate questions or unsolicited criticism, you empower yourself to stay mentally strong. Some of the things I share are: How to maintain your person...

Whether you want to get better at sales calls or improve your public speaking skills, we all can improve our performance, even if we aren't professional athletes. There are psychological skills that can help us learn to manage our emotions better, cope with self-doubt, and deal with negative thoughts. Dr. Brook Choulet is a performance psychiatrist who works with some of the world's top athletes....

Bucket lists sometimes pressure people to start treating life like a checklist, and they stop enjoying the journey. A reverse bucket list is different. It reminds you of the amazing things you've already done and keeps you motivated to create an even brighter future. Some of the things I share are: What a reverse bucket list is What to include in your reverse bucket list The benefits of having a r...

Stress is a normal part of life. You can't escape it, but you can choose how you manage it. Dr. Jenny Taitz is a psychologist and expert in stress management. She's the author of a book called Stress Resets, and she offers actionable tips for building resilience. Some of the things we discuss are: The difference between stress and anxiety The most common stressors people experience How to engage i...

There are many common misconceptions about what contributes to genuine happiness. However, research is clear that there are small habits that we can all incorporate into our daily lives to become happier. Some of the things I share are: How to avoid the "hedonic treadmill" The three biggest myths about what will make you happy in life The seven things that will actually bring you happiness (and th...

There's a lot of pressure to be productive, and many people think they should be doing more or working more. But sometimes, all that work causes us to lose sight of our values. Ironically, the pressure to be productive can actually decrease our productivity. Joe Sanok is a psychotherapist, private practice consultant, and author of Thursday is the New Friday. Joe has studied the secrets of re-eval...