The Verywell Mind Podcast

Latest Episodes:

227 - Friday Fix: How to Stop Procrastinating Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

We all put things off sometimes — even when we know there will be negative consequences for doing it. Whether we avoid doing household chores, making appointments, or paying our bills, procrastination can become a real problem.

And while some people seem to think it’s a time management issue, procrastination is more likely to stem from an emotional regulation issue. We put off things that will cause us to feel uncomfortable emotions like boredom, anxiety, or frustration.

Unfortunately, our attempts to avoid feeling uncomfortable don’t actually work. In fact, it can backfire and cause us to experience even more long-term distress as we face the consequences of our procrastination.

Fortunately, there are some science-backed strategies that can help you break the procrastination habit. When you start checking those tasks off your to-do list, you’ll experience a sense of relief and accomplishment — which can motivate you to keep going and get even more things done.

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226 - Encore: 5 New Year's Resolutions That Will Make You Mentally Stronger Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

I released this episode in 2021. But the strategies are still effective (and perhaps even more relevant now). So we decided to re-release it so you can make 2023 your best year yet!

Most resolutions don’t work. In fact, most are abandoned by mid-January.

Yet most people continue to establish resolutions year after year hoping that, somehow, this will be the year that they actually create change.

That's not to say you shouldn't create a goal for next year. You should. But it's important to do so in a healthy way.

Today, I’m sharing an encore performance of a new year's resolution episode from a couple of years ago. These strategies to build mental strength in the new year might be even more relevant now than they were back then.

Some of the things I talk about in today’s episode:

What a new survey reveals about how the pandemic has affected the types of resolutions people were making in 2021
The biggest reasons most resolutions fail
The 3 things your resolution needs if you want it to stick
5 resolutions that will help you build mental strength

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225 - Friday Fix: Top 10 Biggest Podcast Moments of 2022 Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

It’s been a great year hosting The Verywell Mind Podcast. We’ve talked to so many mentally strong people who have been brave enough and kind enough to share their strategies for staying mentally strong and their struggles along the way.

I’ve also had a lot of fun creating the Friday Fix episodes to share some of my favorite strategies straight from the therapy office. I use them in my everyday life and I hope you find them helpful too.

One of the best parts of being the host of a podcast is hearing from the audience. I’ve heard from a lot of listeners who have shared the steps they’re taking to build mental strength too.

Here are the most popular episodes and the lessons we've learned from them in 2022.

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224 - Healing From Trauma With EMDR Therapy With Authors Michael Baldwin and Deborah Korn, PsyD Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

Michael Baldwin says EMDR saved his life. Deborah Korn, PsyD uses EMDR to help people overcome trauma. Together, they wrote a book called Every Memory Deserves Respect.

Some of the things they talk about are how EMDR works, why it is so effective in addressing PTSD, what to expect from an EMDR session, and the symptoms that tend to improve with treatment.

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223 - Friday Fix: Everything You Need to Know About Online Therapy Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

A decade ago, the idea of meeting with a therapist online seemed a bit too far-fetched for many people. There were concerns about everything from privacy to credibility.

But online therapy has become mainstream over the past few years. In fact, the abundance of online therapy sites and additional services being offered over the past few years has left many people feeling overwhelmed by all the choices.

And it’s no wonder why. Some online therapy sites take insurance. Others offer subscription services. Some sites allow you to message a therapist throughout the day while others offer video appointments only.

Fortunately, there are many reputable providers who can treat a variety of mental health issues effectively online. Depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and even relationship problems can be addressed with online treatment now.

It’s tough to sort through all the options, however, (especially when you’re stressed out, battling depression, or feeling extremely anxious). It can also be difficult to know whether online therapy is a good fit for you.

So here's everything you need to know about online therapy.

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222 - Make Space for Happiness with Decluttering Expert Tracy McCubbin Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Tracy McCubbin has always loved to create clutter-free spaces. So she turned her organizational skills into a full-time business called dClutterfly where she helps people organize their homes.

She’s also the author of two books. Her first book, Making Space, Clutter Free, teaches readers how to get rid of the clutter once and for all. Her newest book, Make Space for Happiness, describes the link between clutter and emotional wellness.

Some of the things she talks about today are how clutter affects our well-being, how to decide when we have too much stuff, and a step-by-step guide to decluttering your home one space at a time.

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221 - Friday Fix: 10 Ways to Stay Mentally Strong During the Holidays Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, the holidays aren’t joy-filled. In fact, this time of year can be extra tough in many ways.

The holidays can amplify existing issues, like loneliness. They create a lot of stress, including financial strain, for many people. Sprinkle in some family tension, grief, and end of the year deadlines, and it’s a recipe for higher rates of distress.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to stay mentally strong throughout the holidays. Here are 10 things you can do this year to manage your mental health and reduce your stress.

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220 - How to Deal with Difficult People with Psychotherapist Andrea Bonior Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

Andrea Bonior is a psychologist who spent fifteen years turning what she’d learned in the therapy office into a mental health column for The Washington Post called “Baggage Check.”

She’s also the author of three books, including Detox Your Thoughts. She writes for Psychology Today and is the host of a new podcast called Baggage Check.

Some of the things Andrea shares are how to deal with people who cancel plans at the last minute, what to do when someone always points out the negative, and how to respond to unsolicited advice.

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219 - Friday Fix: How to Ask for Help Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Whether you want an extra hand moving furniture or you need professional help for depression, asking for help can be tough.

It can feel scary too. We don’t want people to reject us, judge us, or feel more powerful than us.

But the sooner we ask for help and make our needs known, the sooner we can get some relief.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make asking for help feel a little less uncomfortable. With each successful request, you might build the courage to ask for help again. And with a little help from those around you, life often becomes much more manageable and enjoyable.

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218 - Living With Bipolar Disorder With Emmy-Winning Actor Maurice Benard Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Since 1993, Maurice Benard has been playing Sonny Corinthos on the ABC soap opera General Hospital.

Maurice has made his battle with bipolar disorder public. The writers at General Hospital have even made his on-screen character bipolar so that he can depict what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder.

Maurice’s book, Nothing General About It, reveals how he’s learned to live with bipolar and how he’s managing his symptoms. He also started a YouTube show called State of Mind, where he shares information on mental health.

Some of the things he talks about today are what it was like to have a 'nervous breakdown,' how to recognize when you need medication for a mental health issue, and how to start recognizing the things that trigger mental health problems in your life.

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