Can money buy happiness? Well, it depends on how you spend that money. Most things we buy don't bring lasting happiness. In fact, most purchases might bring about feelings of regret, disappointment, and guilt. However, research shows there are seven things you can spend money on if you want to become a happier person. Some of the things I share are: What purchases my Instagram audience says has made them happier What scientific studies have found about purchases and happiness The 7 things...

Manifesting works, and there is plenty of science behind it. But the concept is often misused. It's not about attracting wealth and material possessions. Instead, it's about opening your mind to new possibilities and being ready to take action. Dr. James Doty is a professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University. He's also the best-selling author of Mind Magic and an expert on the topic of manifesting. Some of the things we discuss are: The biggest misconceptions about manifesting Why it's...

Journaling provides a long list of benefits to your brain and your body. Research shows that following a specific writing protocol can rewire your brain in just 15 to 20 minutes of writing for four days. This journaling exercise is equally effective as therapy for some people in managing symptoms associated with depression and PTSD. Some of the things I share are: Why expressive writing is so beneficial How it contributes to the neuroplasticity of your brain The structured approach to...

Open-mindedness is linked to better psychological health, increased happiness, and enhanced problem-solving abilities. But it can be tough to be open-minded sometimes in today's world. My guest is A. J. Jacobs, a journalist, lecturer, and New York Times Best-Selling author. His newest book, A Year of Living Constitutionally, explores how being open-minded used to be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Some of the things he talks about are: The profound benefits of gratitude How humility and...

Whether you launch a 30-day fitness challenge or you want to dedicate one month to decluttering your house, a concentrated short-term effort can create lasting change. But it's important to design a challenge that aligns with your personality and your objects so you can make your month a success. Some of the things I share are: How centering on one goal for 30 days can lead to significant progress How a 30-day challenge makes ongoing maintenance easier Examples of 30-day challenges that...

It's easy to feel like you're just going through life on autopilot sometimes without making every day count. That's why it's important to design the kind of life you want to live. Positive psychologist Jodi Wellman says we can take control of our time and design the kind of lives we want to live. She's the author of a new book called You Only Die Once. Some of the things we talk about are: Why you should count your Mondays and how this can motivate you to make the most of your time. How to...

Do you ever wonder why you do the things you do? My therapy office is filled with people who want to better understand their behavior and habits, so I teach them how to trace the emotional thread. From overeating to overthinking, there's a reason you engage in your behavior. In this episode, I'll help you quickly discover why you've formed certain habits or how you've developed patterns that are holding you back. Once you better understand why you do these things, creating positive change is...

Choosing hope over fear isn't easy, but it's possible when you know how. Cultivating hope can help you get through tough times, even during crises or after receiving bad news. Dr. William Miller is a psychologist and a psychology professor at the University of New Mexico. He's written over 65 books and authored over 400 articles, making him one of the most cited scientists ever. Now, he's written a book called 8 Ways to Hope. Some of the things we talk about are: Why hope is...

This single but profound question can create significant improvements in your life. Your answer, which will only take a minute to develop, will help you clarify your ideal future and give you the steps that will help you achieve it. Solution-focused therapists ask this question to help people start living the kind of life that they really want to live. The good news is you don't have to wait until a therapist asks you this question. You can answer it today. By the time you're done with this...

You've heard people say you should step outside your comfort zone. But you may have underestimated just how important that is. Staying too comfortable might actually be killing you. The fear of discomfort might cause you to eat too much because you don't want to feel hungry. Or you might stop exercising the minute you start to feel uncomfortable. And, of course, you might do hard things because you fear you can't tolerate the discomfort. While eating healthy, exercising, and exposing yourself...

You have about 60,000 thoughts every day. But many of those thoughts aren't helpful. Whether you put yourself down, rehash a conversation that happened in the past, or worry about something that could happen in the future, your thoughts affect how you feel and behave. While you can't control all the thoughts that pop into your head, you can control how you respond to them. In this episode, I share five ways to deal with negative thoughts. These strategies can improve your mental health and...

Do you struggle with good judgment? If so, you're not alone. We all lack good judgment sometimes and often, it involves our struggle to identify someone's true character. Fortunately, organizational psychologist Richard Davis says we can improve our judgment once we better understand personality. He assesses personality for a living and he's written a new book called Good Judgment to help us better understand the skills and strategies we can use to become a better judge of character. Some of...

Choice overload can lead to decision deadlock. Whether you're trying to decide what kind of car to buy or what color to paint your wall, the overwhelming number of options make it challenging to make a decision. Studies show endless options can take a toll on our mental health. Fortunately, these seven strategies can simplify your decision-making process and prevent you from experiencing regret that you made the wrong choice. Some of the things I share are: The science behind choice overload...

It's tempting to put off dealing with a health issue until later. But time is our best weapon against illness. Sometimes, you have to speak up more than once to get your needs addressed. No one knows this better than Samantha Harris. She was at the top of her career as the host of shows like Dancing with the Stars, E! News Now, and the Emmy Awards when she developed a health issue. So, while it wasn't a convenient time to address her health, she knew she couldn't ignore it. Samantha was...

Why would a medical student who needs to ace an exam go out and party instead of study? Why would someone be mean to their new partner for no reason when they really like that person? The answer is self-sabotage. We all sabotage our goals sometimes. And there's interesting psychology behind why we do it. Here are the top seven reasons we sabotage our chances of success and three things you can do to stop. Offers From Our Sponsors BetterHelp — Go to BetterHelp.com/MENTALLYSTRONG today to get...

When we talk about grief, we often refer to the loss of a loved one. But this is not the only type of loss that causes emotional pain. Sometimes, our losses are invisible — like when someone criticizes our dream and we stop pursuing it. Christina Rasmussen is a grief educator and the best-selling author of several books, including Second Firsts. Her new book is Invisible Loss. Some of the things she talks about are how to identify our invisible losses, how to heal old wounds, and how to step...

Mental health is something we can work on daily. There are many small steps we can take to improve our psychological well-being but we have to be intentional about doing them. Something as simple as looking at a picture of nature could reduce your emotional and physical pain. And there are steps you can take to counteract negative thoughts and low motivation. Here are 10 strategies therapists often prescribe to help people improve their mental health. These strategies work whether you're...

There's a lot of pressure to ensure that we're helping kids have everything they need to become successful adults. But it's easy to overdo it and give them more help than they need, which prevents them from learning necessary life skills. Dr. Michele Borba, a psychologist and parenting expert, has researched what kids need to thrive in life. She has written a new book called Thrivers. Some of the things she shares today are what separates resilient kids from everyone else, the two things...

You might think you're doing a good thing when trying to make others happy. But people-pleasing comes with harmful consequences. In fact, studies show people-pleasers struggle with self-discipline, troubled relationships, higher rates of mental health issues, and higher levels of distress. Fortunately, these three strategies can help you stop people-pleasing today. With practice, you can reclaim your mental strength, empower yourself to be self-disciplined, and build healthier, more authentic...

Everyone goes through painful things. Grief and loss is part of life. But we all have choices with how we handle the pain. When rapper Juice WRLD passed away from an accidental overdose, his mother could have let his music be his legacy. But she decided to start an organization to help other people who are dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse problems. She says turning her pain into purpose is helping her heal. Some of the things she shares are why it's important to share...

There are some common struggles we experience when we have to do something we don't want to do — be it a mundane chore, an exhausting exercise routine, or a dreaded work meeting. But doing something you hate is part of life, and learning to do those things well can help you grow mentally stronger. These five strategies can help you tackle challenges head-on. Each one can help you build tolerance to discomfort and help you get through things you don't want to do. Offers From Our...

Whether you want to ask your ride share driver to adjust the temperature in the car or you want to say no to an invitation without sounding rude, it's tough to speak up sometimes. Fortunately, Elaine Lin Hering has some great guidance that can empower you to use your voice. Elaine is a communication skills expert and the author of Unlearning Silence. Some of the things she talks about are why we struggle to speak, strategies for finding the best words, and how to find the courage to get your...

Therapy speak terms are often misused in everyday conversations leading to misunderstandings and stigma. Today I'm shedding light on the seven most commonly misused mental health terms — including "narcissist," "gaslighting," and "high-functioning anxiety." Learn the impact of social media misinformation and why accurate mental health vocabulary matters. Empower yourself with factual information, and discover how proper usage can promote better understanding to reduce stigma. Here's how to...

Explore the art of living well with the new podcast Health Hacks, an OpenMind Original powered by PAVE Studios. Mark Hyman, M.D., wellness expert, brings you science-backed facts, breaks down myths and misinformation, and provides you with the tools you need to live a longer, healthier life. Join him every Tuesday for his unique perspectives, including information on the latest health trends and their impact on our well-being. Just search for “Health Hacks” — empowering you to live...

We spend a lot of our time rehashing what happened in the past and worrying about what might happen in the future. It's a skill to learn how to be present right in the moment. Michael Galyon is a mindfulness coach who coaches corporate clients in how to stay in the moment. Some of the things he talks about today are the benefits of mindfulness, the myths about mindfulness, about the exact exercises that can help you practice mindfulness today. Links & Resources MichaelGalyon.com Follow...