Doomscrolling, Group Chats, and Burnout: Dr. Elisha Goldstein on Breaking the Stress Cycle

Jan 28, 2026

Dr. Elisha Goldstein, clinical psychologist and author focused on mindfulness and resilience, shares practical tools like the 4R method and ideas from Tiny Shifts. The conversation covers doomscrolling and chronic low-grade stress. It explores somatic release, refocusing attention, making skillful requests in relationships, and how tiny emotional pivots build long-term resilience.

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INSIGHT

Chronic Stress Is The New Normal

We now swim in a low-grade chronic stress 'water' created by constant media, alerts, and social engagement.
That sustained stress alters physiology, sleep, and long-term health, making small moments crucial intervention points.

ADVICE

Use The 4R Method

Use the 4R method: Recognize, Release, Refocus, Reinforce to interrupt emotional loops.
Start by naming the specific loop (e.g., "self-doubt loop") to create a small choice point.

ADVICE

Release Stress Through The Body

Meet stress in the body and release tension somatically (lower shoulders, exhale, shake, or quick brain dump).
These brief physical releases widen space for more deliberate responses and re-engage calmer brain networks.

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We call it "normal life."

But for most of us, it's a low-grade chronic stress loop.

News alerts. Group chats. Doomscrolling. Constant urgency.

In this episode of Dealing With Feeling, Dr. Marc Brackett sits down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Elisha Goldstein to explore how tiny emotional shifts can interrupt stress patterns, strengthen relationships, and change the trajectory of our health over time.

This is a conversation about emotional longevity — and what it means to stop living in permanent survival mode.

In this conversation:

Why anxiety is not your identity, but a reinforced loop
How low-grade stress becomes "the water we swim in"
Elisha's 4R method: Recognize, Release, Refocus, Reinforce
Moving from blame into skillful emotional requests in relationships
How small shifts in real moments create long-term change

About the guest:

Dr. Elisha Goldstein is a clinical psychologist, teacher, and author whose work focuses on mindfulness, resilience, and emotional health.

Guest links:

Website: https://elishagoldstein.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/drelishagoldstein

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.