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 effective. Offers From Our Sponsors ZocDoc — Go to ZocDoc.com/stronger and download the app for...

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 how to have conversations with strangers, how to avoid the common communication mistakes most of...

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 items and your self-worth. Offers From Our Sponsors BetterHelp — Go to...

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 college. His book Fluke explains the role chance and chaos play in our lives. But he says everything...

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 Offers From Our Sponsors BetterHelp — Go to BetterHelp.com/MENTALLYSTRONG today to get 10% off...

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, realized that the information about grief is inadequate. She's since written a book, launched a...

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 but effective ways you can start building mental strength today. And you can do all these exercises...

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 ideas, solve problems creatively, and find new things to do. Links &...

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 your therapist. If you find someone you trust and respect, your mental health is much more...

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 author of Red Helicopter, where he shares his operating system of life, money, and joy. Some of the...

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 effectively. Offers From Our Sponsors Shopify — Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period...

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 key to healing your body. Some of the things he talks about are the mind/body connection, how to...

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 proactively look for good things, and a simple strategy you can use every day to remind yourself of the...

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 athletes and investors achieve peak performance. She's also the host of The Neuro Experience...

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 influencers. Offers From Our Sponsors Shopify — Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period...

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 today are the everyday things that can take a toll on your brain, the biggest dangers to your brain...

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 conduct the Three-Minute Mental Makeover on yourself, and what the research reveals about why it's so...

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 narcissism, including It's Not You. Her work focuses on studying the impact that narcissism and...

Mental toughness serves a purpose in some circumstances. A tough exterior can help you get through a crisis. But mental strength is what is really needed to grow, learn, and thrive in life. The two things are often confused. Some of the things I share today are the six key differences between mental strength and mental toughness, how to develop more strength, and the dangers of acting tough. Offers From Our Sponsors Babbel — Get 50% off on a one-time payment for a lifetime Babbel...

Your memory and your mental health form a two-way street. Remembering only negative things can worsen your mental health. But poor mental health can also cause your brain to only focus on negative memories. Learning more about how your mind filters your memories could help you build mental strength. Dr. Charan Ranganath, a memory researcher at the University of California Davis and the author of Why We Remember, studies how our brains store and retrieve memories. Some of the things he talks...

Whether you want to change an eating habit, or you're trying to change a relationship, there's a series of stages you're going to go through along the way. The stages don't necessarily happen in a nice, neat order, however. Progress rarely comes in a straight line. Understanding the stages of change can help you create and stick to change better. When you learn to recognize where other people are in their transformation, you'll then be able to know how to support them best. Some of the things...

Narcissists and psychopaths are just a few examples of "pathological lovers." Their charm often lures people in and their partners often develop what's known as "trauma bonds." They're tough to escape, but once you do, the healing can begin. No one knows this better than Dr. Nadine Macaluso. She was married to the man known as "The Wolf of Wall Street." After years of abuse, she broke free from the trauma bond and became a therapist so she could help other people. Some of the things she...

Acting "as if" is a therapy strategy that helps people change their habits, their emotions, and their lives. It's a simple but effective way to start creating positive change right now. And the good news is, it works for many different problems. Some of the things I share are how "acting as if" works, what issues you can target, and what sort of results you can expect. Offers From Our Sponsors Babbel - Get 50% off on a one-time payment for a lifetime Babbel subscription at...

James Altucher interviews Amy about what it's like to be a therapist, her experience becoming an author, and her newest book, 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do. Links & Resources The James Altucher Show 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do Offers From Our Sponsors Factor - Head to FACTORMEALS.com/mentallystronger50 and use code mentallystronger50 to get 50% off. Babbel - Get 50% off on a one-time payment for a lifetime Babbel subscription at Babbel.com/STRONGER Shopify -...