Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

Do you struggle to set boundaries that stick? You're not alone. Boundaries protect your time, energy, and mental well-being, yet many of us feel guilty or back down when faced with pushback. Fortunately, boundary setting is a skill, and just like any skill, you can get better with practice. This episode is all about helping you create boundaries you can feel good about. By the end of the episode, you'll know how to identify, communicate, and stick to your boundaries—with zero guilt. Some of the things I share are: Why boundaries are essential for your mental and emotional wellbeing How unclear boundaries drain your energy and create resentment A simple 3-step formula for building boundaries that last How boundaries can transform your relationships for the better Words and strategies to clearly and kindly communicate your limits Why “showing” your boundaries can work better than just “telling” people How to handle pushback without backing down Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like bonus episodes, signed books, and 30-day challenges that will keep you growing stronger. Connect with the Show Buy a copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit my website — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors Quince — Get free shipping and 365-day returns at Quince.com/stronger OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ZocDoc — Go to ⁠⁠Zocdoc.com/STRONGER⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today! Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ⁠⁠⁠MentallyStrong.Downpat.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel heard when you talk to people? Have you struggled to connect deeply with others in challenging moments? Validation could help you build trust, strengthen your relationships, and prevent miscommunications. But validation is often misunderstood. You don't have to agree with someone to validate them. No one knows this better than Dr. Caroline Fleck, a clinical psychologist and validation expert. In this episode, we discuss how the power of validation can strengthen connections and foster mental strength. Some of the things we discuss are: How validation is different from praise. Why validation is just as important as love and compassion in relationships. How validation can de-escalate conflicts and strengthen communication. Simple skills like mirroring emotions and the “mindfulness, understanding, and empathy” framework. The role of validation in self-compassion and mental strength. The exact steps you can take to ensure someone feels heard and understood. What happens when people don't feel validated. What you can do if you aren't feeling validated by other people. Want more tips for building mental strength? Subscribe to ⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠ and get weekly AMA episodes and monthly bonuses to help you grow mentally stronger! Links & Resources Follow Dr. Fleck on Instagram - @CarolineFleckphd DrCarolineFleck.com Validation Connect with the Show Buy Amy's ⁠⁠⁠books on mental strength⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com ⁠⁠ Sponsors Quince - Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠⁠Quince.com/stronger⁠ OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #oneskinpod Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ZocDoc — Go to ⁠Zocdoc.com/STRONGER⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today! Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ⁠MentallyStrong.Downpait.Ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Research shows 70% of us will experience trauma at least once in our lives, but many won’t seek therapy to work through it. Whether it’s because therapy doesn’t feel right for you, it’s not accessible, or you want to supplement it with additional strategies, there are many ways to recover from a traumatic experience. From drum circles to spending time in nature, research shows you don't have to talk about trauma to heal from it. There are practical and effective ways to help you regulate your emotions, calm your nervous system, and work through the pain in your own way. Some of the things I discuss today are: Why traditional talk therapy isn’t the only path to healing (and sometimes, not the best one). How drumming or theater can help release buried emotions. The surprising ways caring for animals or gardening can soothe your nervous system and promote healing. The specific physical activities that release trauma. The creative outlets that can open up paths to recovery. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like bonus episodes, signed books, and 30-day challenges that will keep you growing stronger. Connect with the Show Buy a copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit my website — ⁠⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠  ZocDoc - Go to ⁠Zocdoc.com/STRONGER⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today! Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠ Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ⁠⁠MentallyStrong.Downpat.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Kimmel Jr., a Yale researcher and author of The Science of Revenge, dives into the addictive nature of revenge. He explains how our brains crave retribution and shares personal stories that reveal the psychological roots of this urge. The conversation emphasizes the powerful benefits of forgiveness over resentment. Kimmel offers practical mental exercises to help listeners break free from toxic cycles and build resilience. Discover how letting go can lead to emotional healing and a stronger mindset!

Self-care often gets hailed as the ultimate fix for stress, burnout, and every mental health issue. But self-care is frequently misunderstood. Sometimes, it can be like putting a Band-Aid on a deeper wound. So if self-care isn't the cure-all answer, what really helps for long-term change? That's what I'm talking about today. Some of the things I share are: Why self-care isn’t designed to fix issues like negative thinking patterns or toxic relationships. The problem with quick fixes like bubble baths when your stress is rooted elsewhere. The psychology behind building mental strength and why it’s more important than pampering yourself. How to figure out if you need to fix the problem or fix how you feel about it. The five practical steps that will help you strengthen your mind. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like bonus episodes, signed books, and 30-day challenges that will keep you growing stronger. Connect with the Show Buy a copy of ⁠⁠⁠13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠ Visit my website — ⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠  Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠ Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ⁠MentallyStrong.Downpat.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Mentally Strong! My new program provides feedback, advice, and mental strength-building tools at any time you need them. I've spent over a year working on this, and I can't wait for you to try it! Mentally Strong gives you access to 16 specialized AI mental strength coaches. Whether you want help creating a script to say no to someone or you want clarity on how you're feeling, Mentally Strong can help. In today's episode, I break down how it works and what it can do for you. Sign up for your free 7-day trial — MentallyStrong.Downpat.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

High-functioning depression often goes unnoticed as people hide their struggles behind busy schedules and impressive achievements. But understanding and addressing these hidden challenges can help you find more joy and live a mentally stronger life. My guest is Dr. Judith Joseph, a Columbia-trained psychiatrist, clinical assistant professor, and leading voice on high-functioning depression. She is also the author of High Functioning. Some of the things we discuss are: The key warning signs of high-functioning depression How unresolved emotional trauma can lead to avoidance and overworking as coping mechanisms The differences between perfectionism as healthy striving versus harmful overachieving Simple, actionable strategies to create small moments of joy throughout the day and why they matter The importance of acknowledging your feelings and taking small steps to process and heal Strategies that can help you overcome high-functioning depression Want more tips for building mental strength? Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium and get weekly AMA episodes and monthly bonuses to help you grow mentally stronger! Links & Resources ⁠DrJudithJoseph.com High Functioning Connect with the Show Buy Amy's ⁠books on mental strength⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠ AmyMorinLCSW.com Sponsors OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠ #oneskinpod Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠ Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at MentallyStrong.Downpait.Ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are you feeding your brain? The podcast delves into the concept of a 'mental diet,' emphasizing how daily mental consumption influences emotional health. Just 14 minutes of negativity can heighten anxiety. Discover the signs you might be on a diet of 'mental junk food.' Social media's dopamine trap leaves you craving more yet feeling worse. Learn three actionable steps to refresh your mental diet and enhance clarity. Small changes in your consumption can yield significant benefits for your overall well-being.

Dr. Tiffany Moon, an anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and author of Joy Prescriptions, shares her insights on the transformative power of joy. She differentiates joy from mere happiness, emphasizing its depth and importance for mental resilience. Tiffany offers five practical strategies to infuse joy into daily life, highlights the link between creativity and fulfillment, and discusses how taking risks can lead to unexpected rewards. Through humor and intentional living, she encourages listeners to savor the journey of life instead of merely chasing goals.

Your mindset can actually reverse aging! Discover how something as simple as covering gray hair could even lower blood pressure. Learn about the fascinating Counterclockwise Experiment that demonstrated physical changes in one week. Explore links between beliefs about aging, eyesight improvement, and even prostate cancer risks. Plus, uncover six actionable strategies to rejuvenate your mind and body, and cultivate a vibrant, youthful approach to life that defies societal stereotypes about growing older.