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Would you wake up at 5 a.m. to meditate and take an ice bath? Or, less extreme, have you sipped your way through every permutation of matcha, coffee, and hard-to-pronounce adaptogen stimulants on offer in an attempt to find the best shortcut to intense mental focus?
Productivity hacks like these are ubiquitous, filling up social media feeds as people try to find the solution to staying on task in a world often determined to distract us.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur whose efforts equal your income or a salaried employee working remotely and fighting off the siren call of YouTube videos or the annoying necessity of household chores, you’ve probably hoped for a hack that would grant you the ability to get your work done efficiently and effectively.
In the most recent podcast episode of Mental Health Bites with Dr. Judy (you can listen right here in substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube), I dive even deeper into productivity hacks than I do here to help you get more done—whether it’s for work or personal projects. Here, however, I want to debunk three productivity myths and share with you a technique to help you focus on what truly matters.
Three Productivity Myths
If productivity is by definition the ability to produce effectively, our first thought may be to expend more effort, time, and mental energy to try and increase output. But cutting through the morass of methods means first determining what productivity is and isn’t. Unfortunately, much of the advice geared toward increasing productivity circulating online is built on myths that keep us from our full potential. So, let’s dismantle a few of the biggest myths, and talk about what actually works.
Myth #1: "To be productive, you need to work harder and longer."
This is one of the most pervasive myths, and one that feels true. The more hours you put in, the more you’ll accomplish, yes?
But the truth is, productivity isn’t about working longer or harder—it’s about working more efficiently.
Research shows that our brains can only focus intensely for about 90 minutes at a time before we start to lose energy and make more mistakes.
What actually works is focusing on quality over quantity. Instead of working through exhaustion, try to work in focused bursts and take regular breaks. Studies show that frequent short breaks actually increase your overall output, improve creativity, and keep you energized.
Myth #2: "Busy equals productive."
Have you ever had a day where you felt like you were constantly on the go, but by the end of it, you realized you hadn’t accomplished anything meaningful? That’s because being busy doesn’t mean being productive. It’s easy to fill your day with low-value tasks that feel urgent, like checking emails or responding to messages, but that doesn’t necessarily move you closer to your bigger goals.
What actually works is prioritizing your tasks by importance, not urgency.
The most productive people focus on tasks that have a high impact, rather than those that simply fill up their time. One great method for this is using Eisenhower’s Urgent-Important Matrix, which helps you categorize tasks based on how urgent and important they are, so you can spend your time on what really matters.
Myth #3: "The more you plan, the more productive you’ll be."
Planning is definitely important, but it can easily become over-planning, where you spend more time organizing and scheduling than actually doing the work. This is a trap known as analysis paralysis, where overthinking and over-planning prevent you from taking action.
What actually works is using a flexible plan with clear, actionable steps. Give yourself room to adjust as things come up, but don’t spend too much time planning out every detail. At the end of the day, execution is what matters.
How to Focus on What Truly Matters
The Daily Highlight is a fantastic way to simplify your productivity by focusing on what truly matters. Here’s how it works:
* Choose Your Highlight. At the start of each day, ask yourself, “What’s the most important thing I want to accomplish today?” It could be something work-related, like finishing a report, or something personal, like getting a workout in or spending quality time with family. The key is to pick just one thing that, if done, will make your day feel productive.
* Time It. Once you’ve chosen your highlight, block off time for it in your schedule. This helps you make it a priority, and it prevents other tasks from taking over your day. Whether it’s 30 minutes or a full hour, commit to dedicating that time to your highlight.
* Eliminate Distractions. When it’s time to focus on your daily highlight, create an environment where you can fully concentrate. This means turning off notifications, closing unnecessary browser tabs, and setting boundaries to make sure you don’t get interrupted.
* Celebrate the Win. At the end of the day, reflect on your highlight. Did you accomplish it? If so, take a moment to celebrate that win. Even if your day didn’t go perfectly, completing your highlight can give you a sense of achievement and progress.
Focusing on one key task each day is a simple but powerful way to boost productivity without feeling overwhelmed by a huge to-do list. Over time, this habit can help you make consistent progress on your goals, whether they’re related to work, personal projects, or self-care.
If you found value in our episode today, chances are your friends will too. Just hit the share button and send it to someone who would appreciate it as much as you did.
Let me know how these tips work for you, and whether you have any productivity tips of your own I didn’t mention!
Productively yours,
Dr. Judy
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Many people tend to think of therapy as a dialogue. However, as I’m sure you’ve experienced, sometimes it can be difficult to put what you’re feeling into words.
This is what expressive therapies are for.
Expressive therapies are therapeutic practices that use creative acts that involve the likes of the arts, music, theater, and movement to improve mental wellness. They’re rooted in a rich therapeutic tradition that began in the early 20th century, emerging from a growing understanding that people express themselves in ways beyond their words.
Art therapy, for instance, took off in the 1940s when pioneering therapists like Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer found that artistic expression could reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings. There’s also music therapy, which has roots that reach back to World War II. Musicians of the era observed that their music assisted in the mental and emotional recovery of wounded soldiers.
To learn more about the specific expressive therapies, be sure to give the latest episode of my podcast, Mental Health Bites, a listen right here in substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
While expressive therapies have continued to evolve—incorporating dance, drama, poetry, and other forms of creativity—some people still write them off without understanding their purpose and methods. Here are some of the most common misconceptions - and the truth about expressive therapies.
Misconception 1: “Expressive therapies require artistic talent to produce something meaningful.”
Many people—especially those who feel self-conscious about their creative abilities—assume that expressive therapies require artistic talent or creativity, leading them to dismiss it.
Expressive therapies are not about producing beautiful or polished works of art; they’re about the process, not the product.
The act of creating—whether it’s drawing, writing, dancing, or making music—helps you access emotions and thoughts that might be hard to express verbally. Engaging in the creative process without worrying about the finished product can help you connect with your inner self in ways you might not have anticipated.
Misconception 2: "Expressive therapy is not evidence-based."
Some may think that expressive therapies lack scientific backing or that they aren’t as “serious” or “effective” as traditional talk therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy.
While expressive therapies may feel unconventional, there’s a growing body of research showing their effectiveness for various mental health conditions, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Art therapy, for example, has been shown to help trauma survivors process difficult emotions, and music therapy can enhance mood and emotional regulation in people with depression. Adding expressive therapies to your toolbox can complement traditional therapies, offering a more holistic approach to healing.
Misconception 3: “Expressive therapy is just for kids.”
Expressive therapies are often associated with children, especially because play therapy, art therapy, and dance therapy are frequently used to help children who can’t easily express their feelings with words.
Expressive therapies are highly effective for adults as well.
Expressive therapies can be tailored to the needs of adults and are increasingly used in treating PTSD, chronic pain, addiction, and other serious conditions. In fact, many adults who struggle with verbal communication, have experienced trauma, or feel emotionally “blocked” find that expressive therapies help them process complex feelings in a non-verbal, intuitive way.
Misconception 4: “Expressive therapies are just too ‘out there’ and ‘woo-woo’.”
Some people dismiss expressive therapies as being too alternative or “woo-woo,” lumping them in with practices they perceive as lacking credibility or rooted in spirituality rather than science.
While expressive therapies may feel unconventional, they offer practical, real-world benefits.
Engaging in creative expression can help people bypass intellectual defenses, allowing them to explore their emotions in a different, often deeper, way. Expression is about connecting with your body, emotions, and intuition, which can foster insights and emotional breakthroughs that traditional talk therapy may not always access.
Misconception 5: “Expressive therapy wouldn’t help me with my problems.”
If someone is dealing with concrete, pressing problems like stress at work, relationship issues, or anxiety, they might feel that expressive therapies are irrelevant or too abstract to address their practical needs.
Expressive therapies are versatile. They can help with emotional regulation, reduce stress, and provide relief from mental health challenges.
More importantly, expressive therapies can help you process difficult emotions or situations indirectly, allowing you to gain perspective on your problems in a safe and creative way.
For example, drawing or journaling about how anxiety feels can help externalize those feelings, giving you more clarity on how to manage them. It’s about broadening your coping skills repertoire so you have more tools available when dealing with life’s challenges.
Exploring Expressive Therapy: Your Emotion Map
Now, I’d like to encourage you to give an expressive therapy a try. Here’s something you can do to help you visually express and process your emotions using color, shapes, and simple forms.
Remember: it's not about making beautiful art, but about gaining insight into your emotional state and increasing emotional awareness.
It’ll take about 15-20 minutes, and all you’ll need is a large sheet of paper (any size works, but bigger gives more space to express), some colored pencils/markers/crayons, and a quiet, comfortable space to work. Once you’re settled, it’s time to begin.
* Prepare Your Space. Find a quiet place where you can relax and focus. Lay out your paper and coloring tools in front of you. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself before starting.
* Divide Your Paper. Take your paper and draw a large “+” sign, dividing the sheet into four quadrants. Each quadrant will represent one emotion.
* Assign Emotions to Each Quadrant. Choose four emotions that resonate with you at this moment. You could choose from common emotions like joy, sadness, anger, and peace, or you could pick emotions that are more specific to your current experience—such as anxiety, hope, frustration, or excitement.
* Map Your Emotions. In each quadrant, express the chosen emotion using colors, shapes, or abstract forms. You can do this any way that feels right to you. For joy, you might choose bright, warm colors like yellow or orange. Maybe you draw spirals, circles, or playful, flowing lines. For sadness, you might choose darker or cooler colors like blue or gray. Perhaps you use drooping lines or raindrop shapes to convey the heaviness of sadness. For anger, you might choose red, sharp, jagged shapes or intense scribbles might come to mind. Anger can feel sharp and energetic, so don’t be afraid to really let your pen move aggressively if that’s how you’re feeling. For peace, you might pick soft greens or blues, using smooth, even lines, waves, or gentle curves to capture the feeling of calmness.
* Take Your Time Expressing Yourself. Spend about 3-5 minutes on each quadrant. There’s no rush, and there’s no right or wrong way to do this. If you feel a certain emotion more strongly, you can spend more time on that quadrant.
* Add Words If You Wish. If you feel inclined, you can add single words or phrases within the quadrants that capture the essence of the emotion. For example, under sadness, you might write “heavy,” “tired,” or “lonely.” For joy, you could write “light,” “warm,” or “free.”
Once you’ve finished, take a few minutes to observe your emotion map and respond to the following questions.
* What stands out to you?
* Do certain colors or shapes feel more prominent?
* Are there emotions that took up more space than others?
* Can you identify any patterns? Ask yourself if the way you expressed these emotions visually tells you something about how you’re experiencing them internally.
You might notice that your anger section feels really intense with jagged red lines, while sadness is more subdued, almost overshadowed. This could reflect that you’re feeling more connected to your anger than your sadness at the moment.
If you tried the emotional mapping exercise and found it helpful, please share this with a friend or family member who could also benefit from a little self-expression.
P.S. If you want to dive deeper, you can take 5-10 minutes to journal about what you noticed in your emotion map and consider these additional questions.
* Does one emotion feel more dominant?
* Were you surprised by how an emotion showed up visually?
* How does seeing your emotions on paper shift your understanding of how you’re feeling?
If you found value in this newsletter, feel free to share with a friend using the button below.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
Follow me on TikTok
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
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There's a lot of information out there about mental illness, but much of it is shrouded in myths that only increase the stigma around mental health.
Here, we’re going to cut through the noise by discussing the real facts alongside some of the biggest myths.
Myths surrounding mental illness are harmful. They can discourage people from seeking help, perpetuate stigma, and, in some cases, they can lead to worsening symptoms.
It’s essential that we debunk the myths that surround mental illness. In doing so, we can empower individuals to help themselves and others, foster widespread compassion, and increase the amount of people with an accurate understanding of issues that, in some way or another, affect us all.
Four Mental Health Myths
Now, let’s dive into four mental health myths. To learn about even more, be sure to check out the most recent episode of Mental Health Bites with Dr. Judy Ho right here in substack, Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube, where I’ll also teach you how to get through to a friend who is completely closed off but clearly needs help.
Myth 1: Mental Illness is Rare. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Mental illness is not rare—it’s common. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. That’s over 25% of the global population.
Fact 1: Mental Illness is Common. To put that in perspective, mental illness is more common than diabetes or heart disease. In fact, mental illnesses like anxiety and depression are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, even outpacing many well-known physical illnesses. So the next time you think, 'mental illness could never affect me or the people I know,' consider that you or someone in your close circle probably already has faced or is facing a mental health challenge. By knowing this, we can start normalizing conversations about mental health.
Myth 2: Mental Illness is a Sign of Weakness. This myth is one of the most damaging. Mental illness is a health condition, not a personal flaw. Can you imagine telling someone with cancer or diabetes that they’re just not trying hard enough? Of course not! So why would we say this about mental illness?
Fact 2: Mental Illness is a Health Condition—Not Weakness. The truth is, mental illness is just as legitimate as physical illness. And seeking help for your mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows you’re willing to take control of your well-being and make a positive change.
It’s also important to note that certain cultural values or professions may be more likely to see mental illness as a sign of weakness. For example, in some cultures that highly value stoicism or emotional resilience, talking about mental health struggles can be seen as shameful. Similarly, high-pressure professions like law enforcement or military service often reinforce the idea that asking for help is a sign of vulnerability. But these beliefs are outdated and harmful. We need to shift the narrative and encourage everyone—regardless of background or profession—to prioritize mental health.
Myth 3: Mental Health Conditions are Permanent. While some mental health conditions are chronic, most people can recover or manage their symptoms with the right treatment. Mental illness is not a life sentence, and with early intervention and ongoing care, people can live full, meaningful lives.
Fact 3: Mental Illnesses are Treatable, and Many People Recover. Whether it’s through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or peer support, there is hope. It’s not a one-size-fits-all journey, but with help, people can and do recover.
Myth 4: You Can 'Snap Out of It. There’s this idea that mental illness can be overcome if you just think positively or try hard enough. This is a classic example of toxic positivity—the belief that you can simply will yourself out of your struggles with a good attitude. But mental illness doesn’t work that way. Telling someone to just ‘snap out of it’ minimizes the real biological and psychological factors involved.
Fact 4: Mental Illness Requires Treatment, Just Like Physical Illness. Mental illness isn’t something you can just think your way out of. It requires proper treatment, whether that’s therapy, medication, or a combination of approaches. So let’s stop telling people to ‘just be positive,’ because it’s not that simple.
Practical Tips for Supporting Someone with Mental Illness
I cover this topic more in depth in my podcast (you can listen right here in substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube), but one of the best ways to be supportive to a friend struggling with mental illness to:
* listen without judgment,
* offer your presence,
* encourage professional help, and
* be patient.
It’s also important to educate yourself. Knowledge is power. And the more you know about mental illness, the better you’ll be able to support your loved one (Check out MedCircle, which is a great platform for evidence-based psychoeducation).
But to be of service to someone else, you must also take care of yourself.
How to Take Care of Your Own Mental Health in Less Than 5 Minutes
Even taking five minutes each day to meditate, practice deep breathing, or write down three things you're grateful for can make a huge impact on your own mental well-being. (Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.)
So, I want to share a simple but effective 5-minute mental wellness routine you can implement every day.
The best part?
You only need to spend 1 minute on each of these evidence-supported activities to boost your mood and well-being. Here’s how you can make each minute count: In just 5 minutes a day, you can significantly improve your mental well-being by incorporating these 5 elements into those 5 minutes:
* Deep Breathing: 10 deep breaths to calm your mind.
* Gratitude Journal: Write 3 things you're grateful for.
* Stretching & Movement: Release tension with a full-body stretch.
* Mindful Minute: Observe your surroundings with all five senses.
* Inspirational Quote: Uplift your spirit with a positive thought.
This routine is quick, actionable, and can be done anywhere, anytime—whether you're at home, at work, or even on the go. By taking just 5 minutes each day to focus on your mental wellness, you'll begin to notice improvements in your mood, mindset, and overall well-being! Here are the detailed steps on how to do it - and you can customize it so that it works best for you.
Step 1. Take 10 Deep Breaths to Calm Your Mind and Body (1 minute)
This works because deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and calms your mind and body.
To do this exercise:
* Sit or stand in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a slow breath in through your nose for a count of 4.
* Hold the breath for 4 seconds, then exhale through your mouth for a count of 6.
* Repeat this cycle 10 times during the minute.
If you’re feeling anxious during the workday, take a 1-minute breathing break to calm down and regain focus. You can do this at your desk, in the car, or anywhere.
Step 2. Write Down 3 Things You’re Grateful For in a Gratitude Journal (1 minute)
This works because focusing on gratitude helps shift your mindset away from stress or negativity, fostering a positive outlook on life.
To do this exercise:
* Grab a notebook, or use your phone’s notes app.
* Quickly jot down 3 things you are grateful for today. They can be big or small—anything from good health, to a conversation with a friend, to enjoying your favorite meal. For example, In just 60 seconds, you could write: grateful for the sunny weather today, grateful for a supportive conversation with a friend, and grateful for the fresh coffee I had this morning.
To help with this habit, keep a small notebook on your nightstand and use this practice as a part of your morning or bedtime routine.
Step 3. Stretch and Move Your Body to Release Tension (1 minute)
This works because physical movement releases endorphins, improves circulation, and relieves muscle tension, which can improve both your physical and mental state.
To do this exercise:
* Stand up and do a quick full-body stretch. Reach your arms overhead and stretch upward, then bend forward to touch your toes.
* Do a few gentle neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and arm swings.
* You can also add 10 jumping jacks or jog in place for 30 seconds to get your heart rate up.
If you’ve been sitting at your desk for a while, this 1-minute movement break will help wake up your body and energize your mind.
Step 4. Take a Mindful Minute to Observe Something in Your Environment Using All Five Senses (1 minute)
This works because mindfulness helps ground you in the present moment, which reduces stress and anxiety while improving focus and emotional regulation.
To do this exercise:
* Pick something in your environment to focus on—a tree outside, a cup of tea, or even the feeling of your feet on the floor.
* Take a deep breath and engage all five senses: What do you see? Notice the colors and shapes around you. What do you hear? Focus on the background sounds, like birds or distant traffic. What do you smell? Is there a subtle scent in the air, like fresh coffee or flowers? What do you feel? Focus on sensations like warmth from the sun or the texture of your clothing. What do you taste? If you're drinking water or tea, notice the flavor and temperature.
During a lunch break, take a mindful moment to observe your surroundings—whether it’s nature outside your window or the taste of your meal.
Step 5. Read an Inspirational Quote to Uplift Your Spirit (1 minute)
This works because reading positive, inspirational quotes can help shift your mindset, offering new perspectives or encouragement in tough times.
To do this exercise:
* Find a quote that resonates with you. You can keep a collection of quotes in a notebook or use a daily quote app on your phone.
* Read the quote slowly, let its meaning sink in, and reflect on how it applies to your life today.
One thing I like to do is to set a daily reminder on your phone to read a quote first thing in the morning or whenever you need a little inspiration. Three quotes I love are:
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
“Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de La Gruyère
Give this routine a try, and let me know how it goes.
If you found this helpful, chances are your friends and family will too. If you did, please share this newsletter with someone you know.
P.S. Here are some additional resources that may be helpful to have on hand.
* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
* Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
* NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org
Psychology Today (Therapist Finder): psychologytoday.com
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
Follow me on TikTok
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Are you a healthy skeptic? If so, you need to read this.
There are those out there who when they hear the phrase “positive psychology,” will roll their eyes and say, “that sounds like it’s a little too ‘pie in the sky.’ ”
I was one of those people.
Over the years, what was initially designed to embrace strengths and to combat the disease-based, deficits and problems-based approach that the field of psychology modeled itself after (i.e., medicine) in order to establish itself as a “hard” science” went a bit off the rails. It seemed proponents of positive psychology were saying that you should be positive at all times, against all odds - and that is not what Positive Psychology was designed to preach.
Thankfully, it’s more than possible to course correct. It is possible to experience positive psychology’s intended benefits without all toxic positivity - and I am a huge fan of using positive psychology in ways that will actually help rather than shame or discourage progress.
To learn how positive psychology can, well, positively impact your life, check out my most recent podcast episode right here in substack, on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
The Origin of Positive Psychology
At its core, positive psychology is about unearthing what makes life worth living. It focuses not just on what can go wrong with us, but also on what can go right. It asks questions like: How can we cultivate more happiness? How can we thrive, not just survive?
Questions like these represented a huge shift from the traditional focus of psychology, which primarily looked at mental illness, distress, and dysfunction. Positive psychology doesn't replace that important work, it complements it.
However, positive psychology isn't just about being happy all the time. Positive psychology is about cultivating strengths like resilience, gratitude, and mindfulness to help you navigate life's challenges. It's about understanding that well-being involves both positive emotions and the ability to deal with negative ones.
Where Positive Psychology Went Off the Rails
Somewhere along the way, the core message of positive psychology started to get warped, and toxic positivity entered the room.
Toxic positivity is the belief that you should always look on the bright side, no matter how bad things are. When the oversimplification that “only positive vibes” can solve everything becomes the expectation, it's not only unrealistic, but also harmful. It dismisses real emotions, real challenges, and real suffering. And pushing this constant positivity where sadness, anger, or frustration are all seen as weaknesses can actually increase shame and guilt because, guess what, life is hard. There are ups and downs, and trying to force constant positivity can make people feel like they're failing when they're not.
If you're going through something really rough, like the loss of a loved one, being told to just think positive can feel dismissive and alienating. It makes it seem like your pain isn't valid. And that's not helpful. In fact, research shows that denying or suppressing negative emotions can actually make them stronger, leading to more anxiety or even depression.
So, how do we fix this?
The key is balance. It's about embracing the full human experience. Positive psychology, when used correctly, acknowledges both the highs and the lows. It's not about ignoring the hard stuff. It's about recognizing that negative emotions serve a function. They alert us to problems. They push us to grow. They help us to survive. They're what makes us human.
Positive psychology is not about plastering a smile over a difficult situation. It's about developing resilience. Positive psychology can help give us the tools and develop the habits needed to navigate these challenges and bounce back, even when things are tough.
How to Use Positive Psychology in a Way that Works for You
One great way to use positive psychology as it was intended is to take small, manageable steps that fit your reality. One way to do this is through one of my favorite exercises, “Develop a Virtue.” This is a core practice in positive psychology that can make a real tangible difference in your life.
Step 1 | Choose a Virtue. Choose one of the following virtues that positive psychology research has identified can improve an area of your life. Pick one virtue that resonates with you and feels the most meaningful. Here are some examples.
* Wisdom and Knowledge. This virtue involves cognitive strengths that center around the acquisition and use of knowledge. It emphasizes the thoughtful application of intelligence, experience, and learning in practical and meaningful ways.
* Courage. Courage is a virtue that focuses on emotional strengths that help individuals exercise willpower to achieve goals in the face of challenges. It involves the ability to persist despite adversity, fear, or difficulty.
* Humanity. Humanity encompasses interpersonal strengths that focus on caring relationships and tending to others. This virtue is about compassion, love, and kindness directed toward others, fostering strong, positive connections.
* Justice. Justice focuses on civic strengths that underlie healthy community or group dynamics. It’s about promoting fairness, equity, and working toward the common good, ensuring that everyone is treated with respect.
* Temperance. Temperance is about strengths that protect against excess. This virtue promotes self-regulation and control, helping individuals manage their emotions, behaviors, and desires to live in balance and moderation.
* Transcendence. Transcendence refers to strengths that connect individuals to something larger than themselves, promoting a sense of purpose, meaning, and a deeper appreciation of life’s experiences.
Step 2 | Set a small, specific goal. Think about a small goal that you can work on around this selected virtue. Whatever virtue you choose, your goal should be small enough that it feels doable, but meaningful enough that it challenges you to grow. The idea is to start simply. You're not going to master a virtue overnight. If your virtue is kindness, for example, make it a goal to perform one small act of kindness each day. It could be something as simple as sending a thoughtful text to a friend, holding the door for someone, or giving a compliment.
Step 3 | Reflect and adjust. After you've set your goal, take the time at the end of each week to reflect. Ask yourself: Did I stick to my goal most days? How did practicing this virtue affect my mood, relationships, or work? What felt challenging? What felt rewarding?
It’s okay if things didn’t go as planned. Just adjust your goal if needed. Maybe doing one act of kindness every day was too much, so maybe you'll decide to scale it back to three times a week. You can even switch to a different virtue if you’d like. The important thing is to keep going and not to judge yourself if you sometimes fall short, because that’s something all of us do.
If you found this helpful, I hope you share it with someone who you think will benefit from it. And if you want to learn about even more activities you can try to help develop your chosen virtue, give my most recent podcast a watch.
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
All of us are prone to sabotaging our lives in various ways—whether it’s our career, our personal and professional goals, or our romantic relationships, friendships, or family relations.
This is because we’re all biologically wired to be scanning for threats. That, of course, is the key to our psychological and physical survival, but there also has to be a balance between threats and rewards. When that balance is kept in check, everything goes swimmingly. However, when something causes that threat to become amplified, you're much more prone to self-sabotaging as a form of protection because (oddly enough) your brain is trying to protect you from the potential harms that it sees.
This is a topic I delved into in my book, Stop Self-Sabotage. My book delved into the six steps to unlock your true motivation, harness your willpower, and get out of your own way. Today, we are going to explore how to identify and overcome self-sabotage. For an in-depth overview of this topic be sure to check out my most recent podcast episode right here in substack. You can also listen on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
L.I.F.E. Happens
So why do we sometimes overestimate threat and allow it to stop us from continuing on our path toward our goal? The answer is L.I.F.E. happens. In my research and through my experience in working with clients, I’ve found time and again that there are four elements that fuel the conflict between going for what you want and being held back by perceived threats that won’t harm you. These four influences represent aspects of your personality and how you relate to the world. You can take the free quiz yourself here.
* L stands for low self-esteem. When you have a shakier self-esteem, you may not believe you deserve good things, and so when you do get closer and closer to a good outcome in some area of your life,you're more likely to self sabotage unconsciously.
* I stands for internalized beliefs. These are ideas from your childhood where perhaps you've learned a certain way of coping that's not very adaptive by watching your parents cope with different stressors. Maybe your parents were “nervous nellies” and were always watching out for fears, and so, as an adult, you’ve developed some of those same predispositions.
* F stands for fear of change. As humans, we all like familiarity because when we can predict our environment, we feel safer. But there are certain personality types that tend to fear change or the unknown a little bit more than the average person. And if so, that might predispose you to self sabotage.
* E stands for excessive need for control. This is for all of my go-getters, perfectionists, type A individuals out there. Oftentimes these individuals do admirable things. Their perfectionist equalities get them really far in life. But also when a situation involves another person, another person's feelings, another person's actions, it’s harder for them to let go of control and manage their emotions when someone else is in the pilot’s (or co-pilot’s) seat.
Your Self-Sabotage Triggers
Once you’ve developed an awareness of the potential roots of your self-sabotage, it’s time for the next piece of the puzzle: understanding the six forms of self-sabotage triggers (also known as negative automatic thoughts) that can lead to cycles of self-sabotaging behavior. Self-sabotage triggers are like the termites that invade a house. They can seem tiny and inconsequential individually, but when there are many of them, they can ultimately devastate the foundation and mess with the structure of the entire building. Similarly, negative thoughts can wear at you over time and because they lurk in the background, you don’t see the effects until you are in the midst of a fraught relationship or health crisis, or experiencing job trauma.
I talk about an easy way to uncover your thought patterns, and it’s a quick exercise you can do in under 3 minutes a day. Check out my podcast at the 7 minute mark (here on substack, Apple, Spotify, or YouTube) for instructions on how to do this. Once you start to pay attention to your thoughts more, you’ll notice patterns in how you tend to respond to stressful situations. These responses often present as one or more of these six thought triggers:
* Overgeneralizing/catastrophizing, which means taking one fact and jumping to conclusions, usually bad ones. For example, have you ever thought a friend was upset with you simply because they hadn’t returned a text?
* Shoulds-based thinking, which means relying too much on your own rules and expectations about how things should go. Like that friend you texted should have gotten back to you by now, regardless of what they may have going on.
* Black-and-white thinking, which allows for only two possibilities and no in-between. Perhaps a colleague passed you in the hallway without greeting you, so you firmly conclude they’re a rude person.
* Mind reading, which is simply thinking you actually know the thoughts or intentions of others. Maybe you didn’t get a promotion and you think that’s because your boss doesn’t care about your efforts.
* Discounting the positive, which usually plays out in downplaying what’s good about yourself or things you’ve done. For instance, have you ever turned down a compliment instead of just giving a simple “Thank you?”
* Personalization, which refers to any thinking in which you measure yourself against other people. In other words, when was the last time you scrolled social media?
Knowing that these triggers exists in the first place (and which apply most to you) is an important piece of the puzzle, but the problem with some of your most triggering thoughts is that they can run rampant and exert power over your feelings and behaviors. So, we need to learn to routinely question, transform, and deemphasize the impact of these types of self-sabotaging thoughts.
How to Deemphasize the Impact of Self-Sabotaging Thoughts
I want to share one practical tip to quiet the negative internal dialogue you might find yourself experiencing, especially during times that are particularly stressful. Thoughts are just mental events - nothing more. But often, we allow negative thoughts to color our world view and attitude. When we do that, we inadvertently make that negativity synonymous with ourselves. We identify ourselves by our negative self-talk.
Sometimes, it can be easy to forget in our daily lives that our thoughts are something we have rather than something we are.
Cognitive Defusion (a concept coined by Steven Hayes) refers to the practice of observing and distancing from your mind. Its associated techniques are helpful for a variety of difficulties, and it can help to break the progression of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and to create space between thoughts and feelings.
It is essential to understand that thoughts do not always have to lead to feelings and then progress to behaviors. In fact, in some cases, there does not have to be a direct relationship to feelings or behaviors at all! Just because you experience a self-sabotage trigger does not mean that self-sabotage is inevitable.
Defusion is an effective way to break that chain of events before it starts that downward spiral toward self-sabotage. It helps you to spend more time seeing thoughts for exactly what they are—merely mental events and not literal truths. It allows you to separate from your thoughts and break the usual sequence of self-sabotage triggers to intense feelings to self-sabotage behaviors.
Exercise: Try Labeling Your Thoughts
Labeling is a technique that uses language to identify what a thought truly is—a mental event that you have. This exercise is good for any time a negative thought emerges and repeats itself in your mind and you feel the immediate need to create some space before you begin taking any self-sabotaging actions.
The next time you notice a negative thought, try adding the phrase “I’m having the thought that” in front of it. For example, “I will never get another job,” becomes “I am having the thought that… I will never get another job.”This technique not only helps to change the way in which you think about your thoughts as separate events from you, but also it provides distance, both physical and mental, from a self-sabotage trigger. It reminds you that a thought is a mental event, not who you are, nor does it necessarily represent the truth.
You can take this exercise a step further by adding another short phrase: I notice that. Now the phrase now becomes: “I notice that…I’m having the thought that…I will never get another job.” This additional simple phrase brings to the forefront that you are the active agent doing the noticing of your thoughts. You are the one who is spotting a negative thought, and then labeling it as just that—a mental event and nothing more.
Try this the next time you have a negative thought that you find it hard to disengage from, and let me know how it goes.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Research shows that up to 20-30% of individuals might feel well-known treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), SSRIs, or other psychotropic medications, while helpful, haven’t really eradicated their symptoms in the way they’d like.
This is where often controversial alternatives like ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and other emerging therapies come in.
In my newest podcast episode, I explore some of the alternative treatments and give you a guide to the pros, cons, and the major controversies concerning each of them. Take a listen right here in Substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch the video podcast on YouTube.
As with all things concerning your health, it’s important to be able to make informed decisions about the treatment options available to you. So, let’s dive in and be sure to talk with your mental health or medical professional before you start any new treatment.
Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine treatment has been getting a ton of media coverage lately. Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has recently been repurposed for depression treatment, particularly for those who haven't responded well to other medications.
* Pros. One of the biggest advantages is its rapid onset. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to show effects, ketamine can start to work within hours. It's been especially promising for treatment-resistant depression, offering relief when other options have failed. Ketamine infusions, given in low and controlled doses, have shown remarkable results in many cases.
* Cons. Given its history as a recreational drug, ketamine has the potential for abuse. There can be side effects, like dissociation, dizziness, or increased blood pressure. Many of the long-term effects of ketamine treatment are still not fully understood.
* Controversies. There's some debate about keatamine’s use due to its side effects, concerns about its accessibility, and the ethical considerations of its off-label use, as ketamine treatment is not FDA approved. Ultimately, there is much that we don’t know about ketamine treatment.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively new treatment for treatment-resistant depression. TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It should only be used when other treatment options haven’t been effective.
* Pros. TMS is a non-invasive procedure with minimal side effects that is done in an outpatient setting. TMS has proven efficacy for those with treatment-resistant depression, and is FDA approved for depression. You don't need anesthesia, and you can return to your normal activities right after a session.
* Cons. TMS requires a significant time commitment—typically daily sessions over several weeks. It can be expensive, and it is not always covered by insurance. And, like any treatment, it's not effective for everyone.
* Controversies. The controversies around TMS largely focus on accessibility and cost, as well as debates on its efficacy compared to other treatments. However, it’s generally considered a safe and effective option for many.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has a long and complex history, but it remains one of the most effective treatments for severe depression. It is often used as a last resort. ECT consists of brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. ECT's effectiveness in treating severe mental illnesses is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, the National Institute of mental health in many, many other similar organizations in other countries.
* Pros. ECT can be highly effective,especially for severe depression, suicidal ideation, or when other treatments have failed. It often works quickly, which is crucial in emergency situations.
* Cons. The most significant is the potential for memory loss, both short-term and sometimes long-term. ECT requires general anesthesia, and there’s still a stigma attached to it, partly due to its portrayal in media. It also doesn’t prevent a return of the illness in the future.
* Controversies. There are some ethical considerations around consent, especially when it comes to severe cases where a patient might not be fully capable of consenting due to a condition such as psychosis. There is also an ongoing debate about its safety and side effects.
Other Emerging Treatments
Psychedelic-assisted therapy, using substances like psilocybin or MDMA, has shown promise in recent studies for both depression and PTSD. However, these treatments are still in the experimental stages and come with their own sets of
* Pros and Cons: They can offer deep psychological insights and rapid improvements for some, but they also raise concerns about safety, legal status, and long-term effects.
Are Alternative Treatments Right for You?
When considering alternative treatment options, it is essential that you do not take a DIY approach. It is important to make sure that you really are a candidate for one of the above treatments, and that you find a credible provider you can have an honest conversation with. Listen to my podcast episode (here in Substack, or on Apple or Spotify) or watch the video podcast on YouTube for some key factors you should consider if you’re thinking about exploring alternative treatments.
There are also less invasive approaches you can take to help improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Here’s one that costs no money, takes just 10-20 minutes a day, and has been shown to improve mood, sleep, and emotion regulation.
Actionable Tip: Morning Light Exposure
Morning light exposure can boost your mood and energy levels throughout the day. This works because of your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Your internal clock regulates a wide range of biological processes, including your sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, and even your mood.
Morning sunlight is rich in blue light, which is especially effective at signaling to your brain that it's time to wake up and be alert. This helps regulate the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, so you feel more awake during the day and sleepier at night.
By getting natural light exposure in the morning, you’re essentially setting your body’s clock. This makes it easier to fall asleep at night and feel more energized and positive during the day. Several studies have shown that consistent exposure to morning light can reduce symptoms of depression, especially in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and improve overall mood and well-being.
Here are five ways you can incorporate morning light exposure into your daily routine:
* Step Outside First Thing in the Morning. Start your day by stepping outside for 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight exposure within the first hour after waking up. This could be as simple as walking your dog, enjoying your morning coffee on the porch, or doing a quick stretch routine in your backyard.
* Combine Light with Movement. Try to combine this light exposure with some gentle exercise or stretching. A brisk walk around your neighborhood or some light yoga in the garden can enhance the benefits, boosting your endorphins and getting your blood flowing.
* Create a Morning Sun Ritual. Make it a ritual! You could designate a specific time each morning to sit by a window or go outside, listen to your favorite podcast, do a quick meditation, or write in a journal. Creating a consistent routine around this practice can make it a sustainable habit.
* Maximize Indoor Light Exposure. If you can’t get outside, try to spend time by a window that gets plenty of morning light. Open the blinds as soon as you wake up, and consider moving your morning activities (like reading or eating breakfast) to a bright spot in your home. Even indirect natural light can help, although direct exposure is more effective.
* Use a Light Therapy Box in Winter Months or Cloudy Days. During the darker months or if you live in a place with limited sunlight, you might want to use a light therapy box. These devices mimic natural daylight and can be particularly helpful for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder or anyone looking to boost their mood when natural light isn’t readily available.
Remember, if you are considering alternative treatment options, it is essential to be informed and to find a provider you trust.
I hope this newsletter provides a solid jumping off point for further discussions with your doctor. If you found this to be helpful, click below and share this newsletter with a friend or family member.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
It’s no secret that we live in a time of heightened division.
Whether it’s politics, social issues, or even day-to-day matters, it feels like people are more polarized than ever.
According to a 2021 study from the Pew Research Center, nearly 80% of Americans feel the country is more divided than it was in the past.
And this isn’t just an American phenomenon—similar trends are seen globally.
The divide often creeps into our most personal spaces, affecting relationships with friends, family members, and colleagues.
These conflicts can be exhausting. Their emotional toll can be significant. They can make us feel anxious, frustrated, or even hopeless when we see our loved ones from such different perspectives. Family gatherings, holidays, or even simple social media interactions can feel like walking through a minefield.
According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, around 68% of Americans say that they feel significant stress about the future of the nation due to these divides, and about half of the people surveyed admitted to losing friendships or distancing themselves from family members because of political or ideological differences.
So, how do we navigate these situations without losing the people who matter most to us?
To understand why political and ideological differences spark such intense reactions, we need to first recognize what these beliefs represent for people. These aren’t just casual opinions; they often form a core part of a person's identity.
Political beliefs, for example, are frequently tied to deep-seated values, moral convictions, and a sense of belonging to a particular group or community. When someone’s values or core beliefs are challenged, it can feel like a personal attack. Our brains are wired to respond to threats—both physical and psychological—in similar ways.
Research from the University of Southern California found that when people read statements that contradict their deeply held beliefs, the brain regions associated with emotional regulation, like the amygdala, show heightened activity. This means that, neurologically, our bodies can respond to these situations as if they were genuine threats.
To further complicate matters, online platforms tend to amplify conflicts. People often feel emboldened to express their opinions without the filters they might use in face-to-face interactions. This can lead to misunderstandings and escalation, as it’s easy to misinterpret tone or intent in written communication. Social media algorithms also have a propensity to show us content that reinforces our existing beliefs, making it even harder to understand where the “other side” is coming from. This environment fosters an “us versus them” mentality, which is not conducive to constructive dialogue.
How to Navigate Difficult Conversations and Maintain Healthy Relationships
Active listening is a super technique that will work in the most difficult circumstances when you need or want to engage in a challenging discussion and you care about the person in front of you.
Active listening is a crucial skill for navigating difficult conversations and maintaining healthy relationships, especially when discussing emotionally charged topics or facing ideological differences.
Active listening is more than just hearing the words someone is saying; it’s about fully engaging with them to understand their perspective.
Here’s why active listening is so important:
* Active listening builds understanding and empathy. Active listening helps you genuinely understand the other person’s perspective, not just their words. When you listen actively, you’re more likely to grasp the emotions, values, and experiences underlying their viewpoint. This deeper understanding reduces misunderstandings and helps bridge gaps in communication.
* Active listening reduces defensive reactions. When people feel heard and understood, they’re less likely to become defensive or aggressive. Active listening can defuse anger or frustration by validating the other person’s experience, even when there is disagreement. It sends the message, “I respect you enough to hear you out,” which can calm emotions and create space for a more productive dialogue.
* Active listening enhances trust and connection. Trust in any relationship grows when people feel safe sharing their thoughts and feelings. Active listening demonstrates that you value what the other person has to say, strengthening trust and intimacy.
* Active listening encourages collaborative problem-solving. Active listening allows you to identify shared values or goals, even when you disagree on certain points. This can pave the way for finding common ground or at least understanding where the other person is coming from, making it easier to work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
* Active listening strengthens self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Active listening requires you to be present and mindful, which naturally leads to greater self-awareness. As you become more attuned to others, you also become more aware of your reactions, biases, and triggers, which helps in managing your emotions during difficult conversations.
Exercise: How to Practice Active Listening
Step 1: Be fully present.Put away distractions. This means no checking your phone or glancing at the TV while they’re speaking. Make eye contact and nod occasionally to show you’re engaged. Your body language communicates a lot about your willingness to listen.
Step 2: Reflect and paraphrase.After the other person has spoken, reflect back on what they said in your own words. For example, you could say, “So what I hear you saying is…” This shows them that you’re genuinely trying to understand their viewpoint, not just waiting for your turn to speak. Then ask, “Does that sound about right? Is there anything to add?” This way, they have an opportunity to reflect back to you and clear up any miscommunications before they occur.
Step 3: Ask open-ended questions.Encourage them to explain their viewpoint further. Instead of questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no,” ask things like, “Can you tell me more about why you feel that way?” or “What experiences have shaped your opinion on this?” This keeps the conversation open and allows for deeper understanding.
Step 4: Validate their feelings.Even if you disagree with what they’re saying, acknowledge the emotions behind their words. You might say something like, “I can see why you feel so strongly about this,” or “It sounds like this is really important to you.” Validation doesn’t mean agreement; it means recognizing the other person’s perspective as valid.
Step 5: Be aware of nonverbal cues.Pay attention to both your and their body language, tone, and facial expressions. Sometimes what’s not said is just as important as what is. For example, if you notice they’re crossing their arms or their voice is getting tense, it may be a sign that they’re feeling defensive or uncomfortable.
Give these a try in the coming weeks, and I’d be willing to bet that you see positive changes in how you communicate with others.
To learn more about active listening and tips on how to establish healthier habits, take a listen to my podcast episode this week right here in Substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend who you think would benefit from it.
Dr. Judy
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Have you ever wondered why you feel a rush of satisfaction after checking off a to-do list item or savoring a delicious meal?
That’s dopamine at work—one of the most important neurotransmitters in your brain, influencing your mood, motivation, and sense of reward. But dopamine is more than just a feel-good chemical; it plays a significant role in regulating many aspects of your mental health.
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that your brain uses to send signals between nerve cells. Produced in areas of the brain like the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra, dopamine plays a major role in the brain’s reward system. When you experience something pleasurable—like finishing a project, eating your favorite food, or getting a compliment—dopamine is released, creating feelings of satisfaction and motivating you to seek out similar rewards in the future.
Dopamine’s influence goes beyond just making you feel good. It also helps you learn, focus, and make decisions. By reinforcing behaviors that lead to rewards, dopamine encourages you to repeat positive actions. However, this drive to feel good can be a double-edged sword, as it can lead to unhealthy habits or compulsive behaviors when dopamine is artificially boosted through things like substance use or excessive social media scrolling.
Dopamine and Mood Regulation
So, how exactly does dopamine impact your mood?
Dopamine is crucial for maintaining motivation and emotional balance. It plays a key role in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making, emotion regulation, and higher-order thinking. It also directly influences the nucleus accumbens, the part of your brain’s reward system that creates feelings of pleasure. When dopamine is released in this pathway, you feel happy, satisfied, and motivated to continue.
On the flip side, low dopamine levels can make it hard to experience pleasure, a state known as anhedonia. This lack of reward signals can lead to feelings of apathy, low motivation, and difficulty finding joy in daily activities, which is why dopamine is so important for maintaining a healthy mood. When dopamine levels are out of balance—too high or too low—your mood can suffer, leading to mental health challenges.
Chronically low dopamine levels can contribute to several mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson’s Disease, and substance use disorders.
To learn more about the relationship between dopamine and specific mental health symptoms, take a listen to my podcast episode this week right here in Substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Non-Habit Forming Ways to Boost Dopamine
There’s a lot of information out there on how to boost dopamine, such as through the use of supplements, which have not been FDA approved or evaluated for this specific benefit. Before you try any supplements, make sure you speak with your health provider first.
Also, people often become addicted to alcohol, drugs, or other activities that unnaturally stimulate dopamine, but this lowers your brain’s own ability to boost dopamine naturally - which is why people end up needing more and more of the addictive substance or behavior to achieve the same “highs” they experienced in the past.
How can we boost our dopamine levels naturally, without turning to potentially harmful habits or substances? Here are a few proven methods:
* Physical exercise: Regular aerobic activities like running, cycling, or dancing are fantastic for releasing dopamine. Even a short walk can do wonders.
* Dietary choices: Eating foods rich in tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine, can help. Think almonds, bananas, avocados, and dairy products.
* Sunlight exposure: Did you know that just a bit of sunshine can boost your dopamine levels? Vitamin D plays a key role in the brain’s dopamine production.
* Mindfulness and meditation: Practices like mindfulness meditation can increase dopamine release by reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.
* Engage in creative activities: Activities like painting, writing, or even cooking something new can stimulate dopamine production. Learning a new skill or challenging yourself also gives your brain a dopamine boost.”
Dopamine Power Tip: Setting Small, Achievable Goals
Here’s a simple but powerful strategy to naturally boost your dopamine levels: setting small, achievable goals.
Why does this work? Well, whenever you accomplish a task—no matter how small—your brain releases dopamine. It’s like your brain’s way of giving you a little pat on the back, saying, ‘Great job! Keep going!’ This sense of accomplishment and reward can make you feel more motivated, happier, and ready to tackle the next challenge.
Here are the step by step instructions.
* Start Small: The key here is to start with something manageable. For example, begin with a goal that you can achieve in just 5 or 10 minutes. It could be something as simple as making your bed, doing a quick stretching routine, or drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. The idea is to pick something that’s easy to accomplish so you can feel that immediate sense of reward. Examples of small goals include:The key here is to start with something manageable. For example, begin with a goal that you can achieve in just 5 or 10 minutes. It could be something as simple as making your bed, doing a quick stretching routine, or drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. The idea is to pick something that’s easy to accomplish so you can feel that immediate sense of reward. Examples of small goals include the following.
* Physical Health Goals: Do 5 minutes of stretching every morning, take a 10-minute walk, or drink 8 ounces of water right after waking up.
* Mental Health Goals: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day, meditate for 5 minutes, or practice deep breathing exercises.
* Productivity Goals: Organize your desk, respond to one email, or declutter a small space in your home.
* Social Goals: Call or text a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, give someone a genuine compliment, or smile at a stranger.
* Self-Care Goals: Read a few pages of a book, take a relaxing bath, or spend a few minutes in nature.
* Be Specific: When you set your goal, make it specific. Instead of saying, ‘I’ll exercise today,’ say, ‘I’ll walk around the block for 10 minutes after lunch.’ This specificity gives your brain a clear target, making it easier to know when you’ve achieved it.
* Celebrate Your Success: Once you’ve completed the task, take a moment to acknowledge your accomplishment. Give yourself a little cheer, a fist pump, or even just a mental note of ‘Well done!’ This positive reinforcement is crucial because it encourages your brain to keep seeking that rewarding feeling.
* Gradually Increase Complexity: As you get into the habit of achieving these small goals, start to gradually increase their complexity or duration. For example, if your initial goal was to take a 5-minute walk, try extending it to 10 or 15 minutes. The gradual build-up keeps things interesting and continues to challenge your brain in a way that promotes sustained dopamine release.
* Create a Daily or Weekly Checklist: Consider creating a simple checklist of these small goals. This could be a note on your phone, a sticky note on your fridge, or even a dedicated journal. Each time you check off a task, your brain gets a dopamine boost. Plus, having a visual reminder helps keep you motivated and on track.
* Pair Goals with Enjoyable Activities: Another effective strategy is to pair your small goals with something you enjoy. For example, if your goal is to go for a walk, listen to your favorite podcast or playlist while you do it. This combination can help reinforce the behavior and make it more enjoyable, creating a double dopamine effect!
Putting it All Together
Let’s put this into practice. Say your goal for today is to ‘drink a glass of water right after waking up.’ You wake up, you pour yourself a glass of water, and you drink it. Then, take a moment to smile and acknowledge yourself for completing that task—simple, right? That’s all it takes!
Tomorrow, you might add another goal: ‘Stretch for 5 minutes after drinking water.’ As you start building these small, consistent habits, you’ll find your brain craves that sense of accomplishment more and more, making it easier to maintain these healthy behaviors over time.
My challenge for you today is to set one small, specific goal for yourself. Write it down, accomplish it, and then celebrate your success, no matter how small it may seem. Feel free to share your goal and how it felt to achieve it with us on social media or through our email! We’d love to hear how these little changes are making a difference in your day.
Remember, the journey to better mental health and well-being is made up of many small steps, and every little victory counts!
If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend who you think would benefit from it.
Dr. Judy
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
You might be addicted.
In our current world, there are addiction traps everywhere - activities that unnaturally spike your dopamine receptors and motivates you to seek more of those good feelings again and again.
I bet if you look around—and maybe even look at your own behaviors—you might notice that you (or some people you love) are doing some things that would put one at risk for a behavioral addiction.
Everyone’s heard of alcohol or drug addiction, and you’ve also likely heard of more common behavioral addictions like gambling or gaming.But there are some lesser known behavioral addictions, while not diagnoses, can wreak havoc on your life and take you away from your goals.
Lesser Known Addictions
Here are some examples of behavioral addictions:
* Workaholism is when individuals feel a constant need to be productive. They might derive their self-worth from their job performance. This addiction is often socially reinforced in cultures that prioritize success and productivity, like America. Over time, workaholism can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and physical health issues like chronic stress and sleep disorders.
* Exercise addiction occurs when someone feels compelled to exercise excessively, often to the detriment of their own physical health. It can be driven by a desire for control, a need to cope with emotions, or maybe an unhealthy body image. Exercise addiction can lead to overtraining injuries and an imbalance.
* Shopping addiction is compulsive buying. This is an uncontrollable urge to shop and purchase items often driven by emotional needs rather than practical ones.The act of buying provides a temporary emotional high, but then it's followed by guilt or shame. Shopping addiction can result in financial problems, strained relationships, and emotional distress because a person is struggling with their inability to control their spending.
* Obsessive-compulsive cleaning addiction is usually rooted in obsessive-compulsive disorder or obsessive-compulsive personality traits. This is a compulsive need to clean and organize. This behavior is often driven by an overwhelming anxiety about germs or some kind of messiness in your environment. Unlike typical cleaning, which is done, this leads to repetitive cleaning routines that interfere with daily life and also their relationships.
* News addiction involves an overwhelming compulsion to consume news constantly. It’s often driven by the fear of missing out, by anxiety, or the need for control in uncertain times. Essentially, this is a form of doom scrolling. This addiction is characterized by excessive time spent reading, watching, or listening to negative news, often to the detriment of the person's mental health and daily functioning.
* Food addiction is characterized by an intense and uncontrollable craving for certain types of food, typically those that are high in sugar, fat, and salt. People with food addiction may consume these foods compulsively, even when they are not hungry or when they know it could have negative effects on their health, well-being, or emotional state.
* Social media addiction is characterized by excessive time spent on platforms even though you know psychologically you're having a negative response. This type of addiction can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, and issues with self-esteem due to constant comparison with others.
To learn more about common behavioral addictions and tips on how to establish healthier habits, take a listen to my podcast episode this week right here in substack, on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Why Are Some Behaviors So Addictive?
There are a variety of psychological mechanisms behind behavioral addictions.
Like alcohol and substance addictions, behavioral addictions are linked to the brain's reward systems.
These are activities that quickly release dopamine at rates and amounts much higher than usual. These activities create that temporary feeling of pleasure or relief from discomfort. Dopamine is also a motivational neurotransmitter. That means when you do achieve those good feelings from higher levels of dopamine, your brain is also saying at the same time, “pay attention, and do this again next time.” In other words, your brain is telling you to remember this activity and seek out other opportunities to do it, just so that you can achieve those positive experiences again.
Over time, your brain begins to selectively prioritize activities that spike dopamine quickly in unnatural ways. It’s looking for that quick fix. And over time, it will need more and more of that activity in more intensive amounts in order to experience the same pleasurable sensations, because our brains and bodies acclimate and build tolerance to something we use or do over and over again.
This is how a seemingly innocuous behavior can become addictive.
Many behavioral addictions also serve as a coping mechanism for a person to deal with their negative emotions or to escape negative thinking.
The addictive behavior distracts them temporarily from these negative sensations and reinforces the compulsion to repeat it the next time you're struggling with negative feelings and thoughts.
Cultural norms and societal pressures can also reinforce certain behaviors, making it harder to recognize them as addictive. If you work with a lot of workaholics, for example, it all feels normative to all of you. It might even feel like a badge of honor.
The fact that many of these behaviors are often associated with activities that are generally considered beneficial or socially acceptable make it more difficult to identify when they have become compulsive and detrimental to your well-being.
Combating Behavioral Addictions and Finding B.A.L.A.N.C.E.
I want to share a simple yet effective strategy to help you maintain balance in your life, hobbies, and activities, ensuring you derive the most joy and health benefits from what you do.
With some of the above behavioral addictions, it’s not about doing away with the behavior completely. In moderation, these behaviors can add to your life and be a good part of your overall coping repertoire.
B.A.L.A.N.C.E is a good acronym for different activities that will help you to have more healthy living and to engage in activities in a more healthful way that isn't too excessive or problematic for the other areas of your life.
* B - Boundaries: Set clear boundaries for yourself to ensure activities like work, exercise, and social media do not take over your life. Recognize when to say no and when to take breaks.
* A - Awareness: Cultivate self-awareness to recognize when a behavior is becoming excessive. Regularly check in with yourself about your habits and their impact on your life.
* L - Lifestyle Variety: Engage in a diverse range of activities. Balance work with play, exercise with rest, and social interactions with alone time to prevent over-reliance on any one activity.
* A - Accountability: Have someone you trust to keep you accountable, whether it's a friend, family member, or therapist. This helps in maintaining perspective and keeping behaviors in check.
* N - Nourishment: Focus on nourishing your body and mind, not just through food but also through positive relationships, hobbies, and relaxation.
* C - Connection: Prioritize meaningful connections with others. Healthy relationships can act as a buffer against addictive behaviors and provide support when needed.
* E - Enjoyment: Make sure your activities bring you genuine enjoyment and fulfillment, rather than serving as mere distractions or coping mechanisms.
If you're honest with yourself and you follow this acronym of balance, you're going to be able to hone in on those healthy behaviors and activities to buffer up your mental wellness every single day.
Here’s to your mental health,
Dr. Judy
P.S. If you found this helpful, I hope you’ll forward it to a friend.
Help 2 Heal: Brain Health Event!
On September 13th, at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show, TEDxReno will be hosting a special Salon as part of a series entitled HELP 2 HEAL, which highlights organizations who are doing healing work in our community. This Salon is focused on Brain Health, and the panel is curated by EPIC Brain Centers in Reno. More info below and to grab your tickets, click here.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Have you heard of autosuggestion?
It’s less complex than it sounds and can be an instrumental tool to help you get to that next level in your relationship, career, and personal development.
I’ve personally seen autosuggestion work wonders for my patients, even those who have struggled with bad habits and negative vicious cycles for a very long time.
By consistently practicing autosuggestion, you can:
* transform your mindset,
* unlock your potential, and
* move confidently toward your best self.
What is Autosuggestion?
Autosuggestion is a psychological technique that involves the use of positive affirmations and self-directed statements to influence your subconscious mind.
You can think of it as a method to reprogram your mind to believe in your capabilities, focus on your goals, and cultivate a mindset that supports your growth and well-being.
Our minds are incredibly powerful, and the thoughts we entertain shape our reality. When we feed our minds with positive and constructive thoughts, we begin to align our actions, decisions, and behaviors with those thoughts.
The subconscious mind doesn’t distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined; it simply accepts the information it is given. By practicing auto-suggestion, you can effectively rewire your thought patterns, reduce self-doubt, and increase your confidence. This, in turn, empowers you to take action, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals.
If you consistently tell yourself, “I’m capable of achieving my dreams,” over time, you’ll start to believe it. This belief will influence your actions, leading you to take steps that bring you closer to your dreams.
You have the power to shape your reality—one thought, one affirmation, one step at a time.
Top 5 ways to incorporate autosuggestion into your daily routine
1. Gratitude Journaling
Keep a dedicated journal where you write down things you’re grateful for every day. This could be specific events, people in your life, or simple pleasures.
To build this routine, set aside time in the morning or before bed to write three to five things you’re grateful for. Try to focus on different aspects each day to keep your gratitude fresh. This practice helps shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant in your life.
2. Mirror Work
Mirror work involves standing in front of a mirror and speaking affirmations directly to yourself. This practice helps build self-esteem and reinforces positive beliefs.
To build this routine, stand in front of a mirror, make eye contact with yourself, and repeat affirmations like “I am worthy of love and respect” or “I believe in my ability to succeed.” Try doing this at least once a day, ideally in the morning or before bed, to reinforce self-worth and confidence.
3. Sleep Programming
Use the time before you drift off to sleep to influence your subconscious mind with positive affirmations or suggestions.
To build this routine, you can listen to pre-recorded affirmations or positive statements through a podcast, app, or a recording you create yourself. Play these affirmations quietly as you’re lying in bed, allowing them to be the last thoughts your mind absorbs before sleep. Your brain is particularly receptive during this time, making it a powerful moment for auto-suggestion.
4. Positive Environment
Surround yourself with visual and auditory cues that inspire positivity and growth.
To build this routine, decorate your living or working space with inspirational quotes, images that make you feel happy, and objects that remind you of your goals. You can also choose to listen to uplifting music or podcasts that keep your mindset positive throughout the day.
5. Empowering Music
Create a playlist of songs that uplift and inspire you, and listen to it during key moments.
To build this routine, choose songs with lyrics that resonate with your goals or simply tunes that make you feel powerful and motivated. Play this playlist during your morning routine, before important meetings, or anytime you need a boost of confidence and energy. Music has a strong influence on mood, so use it to your advantage.
To learn more about auto-suggestion, I encourage you to give my most recent podcast episode a listen here in substack, on Apple, or on Spotify. You can also watch the video podcast on YouTube. In just 10 minutes, you learn how this simple yet profound technique can transform your mental wellness and help you achieve your goals.
Here’s to your mental health,
Dr. Judy
P.S. If you found this helpful, I hope you’ll forward it to a friend.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
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Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Remember Inception?
Now, I’m not going to teach you how to execute a dream heist, but I am going to teach you about lucid dreaming.
Lucid dreaming is essentially when a dreamer becomes aware that they’re dreaming. You may have heard of people saying that they have lucid dreams. But did you know that with some practice, we can all have lucid dreams?
There are a couple of different types of lucid dreams.
When you have a full lucid dream, you have full awareness that you’re in a dream. You’ll have the ability to manipulate the dream environment, characters or narrative. There’s a sense of clarity and vividness that can sometimes surpass waking reality.
When you have a semi-lucid dream, you’ll have some awareness that you’re dreaming, but that awareness will be incomplete or less intense. You might recognize certain elements as part of a dream, but you may not be able to have full control over your actions during the dream.
One of the really interesting things about lucid dreaming is that they have some mental health benefits:
* Lucid dreaming has been associated with higher levels of creativity and enhanced creative problem solving, because it involves you consciously interacting with your dream environment. This gives you a unique space to think about ways to get out of a problem because you’re not bound by the laws of physics or constrained to the way you usually think. Lucid dreams can be a safe way to explore creative ideas without consequences. Because you’re in a dream, you can “try out” different options to see what makes the most sense and fits best, and then alter your best idea to be implemented in reality.
* Lucid dreams might allow you to delve deeper into thoughts and insights about yourself, which can help promote better mental wellness because you get access to subconscious material that you might otherwise not actually be aware of. During lucid dreaming, people can consciously confront and process difficult emotions in a safe, controlled environment. This can help them deal with unresolved emotional issues, leading to better emotional balance and mental health. Lucid dreaming can serve as an adjunct to exposure therapy, allowing individuals to face fears or anxieties in their dreams and practice coping mechanisms without real-world consequences.
* Lucid dreaming allows you to take control of their dreams, which can reduce the anxiety that often stems from feelings of helplessness or lack of control in waking life. For people who suffer from frequent nightmares, particularly those with PTSD or other anxiety disorders, lucid dreaming can be a therapeutic tool. It enables them to consciously alter the narrative of their nightmares, reducing their intensity or transforming them into more neutral or positive experiences.
* Lucid dreaming can boost confidence by giving you a sense of mastery over their dream world. This feeling of empowerment can carry over into waking life, helping people feel more capable of handling real-world challenges. For some people, lucid dreaming can provide a platform for spiritual or existential exploration, which can lead to a greater sense of purpose or meaning in life, contributing to overall mental well-being.
If you’re interested in exploring lucid dreaming, here are a few different techniques I recommend.
Technique #1: Reality testing
Reality testing involves regularly checking whether you're awake or dreaming.
The goal of this is to build the habit of questioning your reality, so this habit carries over into your dreams.Remember the top in inception? It’s just like that.
Another common reality check is to try to push one finger through the other hand’s palm or reading a piece of text, looking away, and then reading it again, since in dreams the text will sometimes change.
Technique #2: Mnemonic induction
The mnemonic method involves using a mantra, or an intention, to increase the likelihood of becoming lucid in a dream. This method leverages your intention and memory to help you recognize when you are in a dream state.
To do this, before going to sleep, repeat a phrase like I will realize I'm dreaming in your mind or out loud. Visualize yourself becoming lucid in a recent dream or in a desired dream scenario.
Technique #3: Wake back to bed
This is a method that involves waking up during the night and then returning to sleep after a short period of wakefulness.
To do this, set an alarm to wake up about five or six hours after you go to sleep, then try to stay awake for 20-60 minutes and engage in activities that might promote lucid dreaming, such as reading about lucid dreaming or repeating a mantra to yourself. Then go back to bed with the intention of becoming lucid in your next dream.
Technique #4: Dream journaling
Dream journaling is the practice of recording your dreams as soon as you wake up. It's a powerful tool with a lot of benefits. By consistently writing down your dreams, you become more familiar with the patterns and themes within your dreams. It makes it easier to recognize when you're dreaming and then ultimately to have control over those dreams. Here are some reasons why you might want to keep a dream journal and the advantages it offers:
* It improves dream recall. It helps you to remember your dreams more vividly and you can analyze the themes and understand yourself better.
* It increases self-awareness. Dream journaling is a way to encourage introspection and self-reflection. By analyzing your dreams, you can understand certain patterns that unfold in your thoughts, emotions, and subconscious mind.
* Dream journaling can enhance creativity. Dreams often contain symbolic or surreal elements that actually inspire creative ideas. Having a dream journal will allow you to have all these creative ideas in one place that you can reference when you're thinking about creative problem solving at a different time.
Here’s how to start dream journaling:
* Keep a journal nearby your bed. Place a notebook and a pen on the nightstand so you can write down your dreams immediately upon waking.
* Record as much detail as possible. Write down everything you remember, even if it's just fragments or emotions. Include descriptions of the setting, people, action, and feelings. Even if it's incomplete, just spend five minutes documenting everything you remember from the nights before.
* Date your entries. Make sure you include the date with the inch. Include the date with each entry as well as the time of your journaling so you can track patterns or themes.
* Be consistent. Make dream journaling a daily habit. Even if you don't remember a dream, note down any sensations or thoughts you have upon waking.
* Review regularly. Periodically, read through your journal to identify recurring themes, symbols, or emotions.
Try these techniques out and let me know if you’re able to get into lucid dreaming! I'd love to hear how it works for you.
To learn more about the history behind lucid dreaming, you can check out my most recent episode of Mental Health Bites by listening right here on substack (see audio player above), on Apple or Spotify. You can also watch the video podcast on YouTube.
Yours in health,
Dr. Judy
Special bonus: 30-Day Healing Insecure Attachment Calendar
If you’re looking for concrete, practical ways to heal your attachment style, I’ve created a 30-day attachment healing calendar that is free to download for my email subscribers. Just click on the link below and follow along on the daily activities. If you have any questions, comments or have an idea for what resource I should feature next, I’d love to hear from you! Comment on substack or you can send me a message on my social media.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
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About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
We all chase happiness.
But the pursuit of happiness doesn’t work, at least when we’re looking for it outside of ourselves.
We can’t control how others ultimately feel about us. We can try to impact it. We can try to shift it. But, at the end of the day, it’s not something we can force. So, if external approval is the end-all-be-all as your source of happiness, I have some bad news for you.
There are, however, several studies that have looked into the sources of happiness and how we can cultivate more of it in our lives.
One of the most well known studies is The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which is also known as the longest study on human happiness. Starting in 1938 with 724 participants (including JFK) has gone on to include three generations with over 1300 direct descendants of the original participants.
The current director of the study is Dr. Robert Waldinger. In his TED talk, which has over 26 million views, he shares some of the study’s main conclusions, namely that “Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives.”
Waldinger, unsurprisingly, isn’t the only person looking at human happiness. Researchers Sonja Lyubomirsky, Kennon M. Sheldon, and David Schkade proposed in 2005 paper the idea that there is a formula to human happiness:
40% actions + 50% genetics + 10% environment.
Now, this is not one-to-one. These percentages speak to the variation in the factors that impacted the studied population. How a factor impacts a group—as collective—does not necessarily mean it will impact one person in the same way. However, it can tell us something important.
It tells us that the choices we make and the actions we take matter. And what we decide to do can have a tangible impact on our happiness.
So, what can you do to achieve happiness?
One popular acronym to boost joy is "GREAT DREAM," which encompasses key components for happiness and well-being:
* Giving: Do things for others.
* Relating: Connect with people.
* Exercising: Take care of your body.
* Awareness: Live life mindfully.
* Trying Out: Keep learning new things.
* Direction: Have goals to look forward to.
* Resilience: Find ways to bounce back.
* Emotions: Look for what's good.
* Acceptance: Be comfortable with who you are.
* Meaning: Be part of something bigger.
You will notice that these are all actions. These are not things that are done to you. They are actions that you take.
You have power over how you feel.
If you want community, you can go out and take it, find it, and make it.
One of the biggest things they found was the power of good relationships.
To explore more about the science of happiness, you can listen to my recent podcast episode on Apple or Spotify, or watch it on YouTube.
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Have you ever wondered, “why am I here?” “what’s my purpose in life?” or “what happens after I die?”
If you’re being honest with yourself, you’ve likely thought about this at some point in time. Perhaps you’re even thinking that right now!
Existential anxiety is one of the most universal phenomenons that we go through as human beings.
It might manifest as the fear of death, where its inevitability can lead to anxiety. It might manifest as as an awareness of our mortality, which makes us worried about potential illnesses that could rob us of a longer life. It can also cause us to question why we do the things we do every day, and whether our activities, jobs, or relationships are “worth it.”
You may have found yourself questioning the purpose and meaning of life. At times, this can present as a sense of meaninglessness and even hopelessness.
The realization that we’re free to make choices in life, and thus are responsible for those choices, can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
And a sense of isolation or loneliness, particularly in the context of understanding oneself as an individual distinct from others, can contribute to existential anxiety.
These aren’t fun feelings, but they’re immensely human ones. They’re inevitable for all of us at some point in time.
Thankfully, it’s more than possible to buttress yourself and let these feelings of existential anxiety be no more than a passing bit of worry while you go about creating and living a fulfilling, purposeful life.
One direct way to do this is by living in greater alignment with your values.
To gain purpose and resolve existential anxiety, you don’t need more and more bucket list items, or things to check off a to-do list. You need to start with your values first and foremost, and let those guide your goal setting.
Values are deeply held beliefs or principles that guide a person’s actions and decisions. They represent what is most important to an individual and serve as a compass for behavior. Values are enduring and consistent over time; they are not something you achieve but rather something you continually live by.
In essence, values are the why behind our actions—our underlying reasons for pursuing certain paths—while goals are the what we aim to achieve along the way. Values provide direction, and goals mark the progress toward living out those values.
The following set of exercises can help you gain clarity on what matters most to you. This will help you make intentional choices that align with your values. By fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in life, you can reduce feelings of existential anxiety.
4 Ways to Live a Values-Centered Life
Step 1: Identify Core Values
* List Values: Write down a list of values that resonate with you. These can include things like compassion, honesty, creativity, family, personal growth, etc. If you're unsure, consider using a list of common values as a starting point.
* Reflect on Importance: Review the list and circle the 5-10 values that are most important to you.
Step 2: Reflect on Current Alignment
* Assess Alignment: For each of the values you've circled, rate on a scale of 1-10 how well you feel your current life aligns with these values (1 being not at all aligned, 10 being fully aligned).
* Identify Gaps: Note any discrepancies between your values and your current actions or lifestyle.
Step 3: Set Intentions and Goals
* Choose Areas for Growth: Choose one or two areas where you feel your actions are not aligning with your values.
* Set Specific Goals: Set specific, achievable goals that will help you align your actions more closely with these values. For example, if creativity is a core value, you might set a goal to engage in a creative activity, like painting or writing, at least once a week.
Step 4: Reflect and Revisit
* Regular Reflection: Take time regularly (e.g., weekly or monthly) to reflect on how well you are living in accordance with your values. Adjust your goals and actions as needed.
* Mindfulness Practice: Consider incorporating mindfulness practices to help stay present and aware of how your daily actions align with your values.
To learn more about understanding existential anxiety and how to navigate the unknown, I encourage you to give my most recent podcast a listen on Apple, Spotify, or watch it on YouTube. In just ten minutes, we’ll explore the concept of existential anxiety, what it looks like, why it occurs, and how you can effectively cope with it. I also answer a listener’s burning question about existential anxiety.
If you have questions about existential anxiety that you’d like me to answer, write a comment to me on substack or on any of my social media pages.
Here’s to your health,
Dr. Judy
SXSW Panel Picker! I need your votes!
Have you heard of South by Southwest (SXSW)? SXSW is known for its conference and festivals that aim to foster creative and professional growth alike. It is a destination for global professionals and features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities.
I submitted several ideas for talks, fireside chats and workshops for next year’s conference. 30% of the conference committee’s decisions are based on public vote, which shows interest in the topic and the speaker.
So if you’d like to hear me speak on any of the ideas below, please click on the links and VOTE! You have until August 18 to vote for your favorite talks before the committee decides who will be on the list of speakers.
* Goal Getter: Achieve Your Dreams with Attachment Healing (Fireside Chat)
* Beating Burnout: How to Promote Resilience (Workshop)
* The New Rules of Attachment (Book Reading)
* Get Out Of Your Own Way: How to Stop Self-Sabotage (Workshop)
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Simplicity can have a profound impact on mental health.
It can reduce stress, increase focus, and foster a sense of calm and control.
Our brains crave routines. The repetition of a routine allows you to quickly go from flight or fight into a mode of rest and relaxation. In these modes we can be more creative and expand our thinking and engage more deeply in tasks that matter us.
In a way, routines help declutter our brain. We don’t have to worry about what to do next because, well, it’s routine!
Simplifying your life can have a similar impact on our lives.
By decluttering, streamlining, and simplifying various aspects of our lives you can enhance your overall well-being.
Five Practical Steps to Simplify Your Life
1. Declutter Your Physical Space
How does this help? A clutter-free environment can reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress. It creates a sense of order and peace, making it easier for you to relax and focus.
Steps to Take:
* Start with one room or area at a time. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, recycle, or discard.
* Adopt a minimalist approach by keeping only items that are functional or bring you joy.
* Organize and store belongings in an orderly manner, using storage solutions to keep things tidy.
2. Streamline Your Digital Life
How does this help? Reducing digital clutter can minimize distractions, reduce decision fatigue, and improve your focus.
Steps to Take:
* Organize your email inbox by unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters and categorizing important emails.
* Limit social media use by setting specific times for checking platforms and unfollowing accounts that don't contribute positively to your life.
* Clean up your desktop and digital files, and use cloud storage or external drives to back up important documents.
3. Simplify Your Schedule
How does this help? A simplified schedule reduces the stress of juggling too many commitments and allows you more time for relaxation and self-care.
Steps to Take:
* Prioritize your commitments by identifying the most important tasks and activities. Learn to say no to additional responsibilities that don't align with your priorities.
* Block out time for rest and self-care in your schedule, and stick to these appointments as you would any other commitment.
* Use a calendar or planner to organize your time effectively, avoiding overbooking yourself.
4. Nurture Essential Relationships
How does this help? Focusing on meaningful relationships can provide you with emotional support and reduce the stress of maintaining numerous, less significant connections.
Steps to Take:
* Invest time and energy in relationships that are supportive and enriching. Schedule regular catch-ups with close friends and family.
* Set boundaries in relationships that drain your energy or cause stress, and consider distancing yourself from toxic interactions.
* Focus on quality over quantity in your social life, seeking deep, meaningful connections rather than a large number of acquaintances.
5. Create Routines and Habits
How does this help? Consistent routines reduce decision-making fatigue and create a sense of stability and predictability.
Steps to Take:
* Develop morning and evening routines that include activities like meditation, journaling, or reading to set a positive tone for your day and wind down at night.
* Incorporate regular mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing or yoga, into your daily routine to reduce stress and increase presence.
* Stick to regular sleep and wake times to regulate your body’s internal clock and improve sleep quality.
Bonus Tip: Using AI as a way to streamline your mental health game
Let’s talk about AI.
The current boom in artificial intelligence has had interesting effects on people’s mental health. Last year, the American Psychological Association’s Work in America Survey found that 38% of workers reported that they had concerns about AI making elements of their job obsolete in the future.
Now, these concerns are valid. But AI also presents new tools that we can use to improve our mental health - and can be used to create an easy routine to follow that ensures you’ll take key actions to improve your well-being.
You can check out this recent podcast episode I did, titled “AI Mental Health Takeover?” The audio is embedded in this newsletter (at the top), or you can listen to it on Apple Podcasts or watch the video version on YouTube.
In this episode, we delve into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health, exploring the potential benefits and risks of using AI for mental wellness.
So today, I want to leave with you one more practical tip on how you can utilize AI-powered mental health apps for daily check-ins.
AI-powered mental health apps, like Woebot, Wysa, or Youper, can offer personalized support and help you track your mental health over time. These apps use AI to provide real-time, evidence-based coping strategies, mood tracking, and mindfulness exercises. (Note: I am not personally endorsing any of these apps; but they are ones that my clients have found helpful).
How to Implement:
* Choose the Right App: Select an AI mental health app that aligns with your needs. Many of these apps offer free trials, so you can test a few before committing.
* Daily Check-Ins: Set aside a few minutes each day to check in with the app. Answer questions about your mood, stress levels, and any specific challenges you’re facing. The AI will use this information to tailor its responses and suggestions.
* Engage with Exercises: Follow the app’s recommendations for mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral techniques, or journaling prompts. These activities can help you manage stress and develop healthier thought patterns.
* Track Progress: Regularly review your mood and activity logs within the app to identify patterns and triggers. This can provide valuable insights and help you and your therapist make more informed decisions about your mental health care.
* Combine with Traditional Therapy: Use the app’s insights as a supplement to your regular therapy sessions. Share your app data with your therapist to give them a more comprehensive view of your mental health between sessions.
Here’s to your mental health,
Judy
SXSW Panel Picker! I need your votes!
Have you heard of South by Southwest (SXSW)? SXSW is known for its conference and festivals that aim to foster creative and professional growth alike. It is a destination for global professionals and features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities.
I submitted several ideas for talks, fireside chats and workshops for next year’s conference. 30% of the conference committee’s decisions are based on public vote, which shows interest in the topic and the speaker.
So if you’d like to hear me speak on any of the ideas below, please click on the links and VOTE! You have until August 18 to vote for your favorite talks before the committee decides who will be on the list of speakers.
* Goal Getter: Achieve Your Dreams with Attachment Healing (Fireside Chat)
* Beating Burnout: How to Promote Resilience (Workshop)
* The New Rules of Attachment (Book Reading)
* Get Out Of Your Own Way: How to Stop Self-Sabotage (Workshop)
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
You’ve probably heard of burnout, and you’ve probably felt it before.
When you’re burnt out you may feel emotionally drained and depleted of emotional resources.
You might start to develop a cynical attitude toward your job and the people associated with it.
You might feel incompetent and inadequate, leading to a reduced feeling of personal accomplishment.
These three components—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization [cynicism], and reduced personal accomplishment—collectively contribute to the overall experience of burnout.
The impact of burnout can be profound and far-reaching, affecting individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Burnout can lead to physical health problems, is closely linked to mental health issues, can impair cognitive functions, negatively impacts work performance, and can strain relationships.
The benefits of addressing and reducing burnout are immense. Addressing and reducing burnout can:
* protect your physical and mental health, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses and mental health disorders, leading to a healthier and more balanced life;
* help you maintain high levels of productivity, creativity, and innovation, enhancing job satisfaction and leading to better career outcomes;
* help organizations retain talented employees and foster a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported;
* improve interpersonal relationships, both at work and at home; and
* help you achieve a better work-life balance, leading to greater overall satisfaction and quality of life.
The Antidote to Burnout is Self-Care
Self-care is a holistic practice that encompasses various aspects of well-being.
To help combat burnout, there are six forms of self-care I like to rotate during the week (e.g., Physical Self-Care Monday, Emotional Self-Care Tuesday). The key is that each day you commit to at least one self-care activity intentionally. On busy days, an intentional act of self-care can take less than 5 minutes. I encourage you to designate one activity to do in a category for each day of week, and then on Sunday, repeat one area that you think you need most, or the area that is your favorite.
* Physical Self-Care helps improve energy levels, reduce stress, and enhance overall physical health. Activities include regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, proper hydration, and attending medical appointments.
* Emotional Self-Care helps in managing stress, improving mood, and fostering emotional resilience. Activities include expressing your feelings, practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, seeking therapy, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation.
* Mental Self-Care helps in maintaining mental sharpness, reducing anxiety, and promoting a sense of accomplishment. Activities include reading, solving puzzles, learning new skills, engaging in creative activities, and practicing mindfulness or meditation.
* Social Self-Care provides a sense of belonging, emotional support, and strengthens interpersonal relationships. Activities include spending time with loved ones, participating in social activities, seeking support from friends and family, and fostering meaningful connections.
* Spiritual Self-Care helps in finding inner peace, enhancing self-awareness, and fostering a deeper connection to the world around you. Activities include practices such as meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, reflecting on personal values, and participating in religious or spiritual activities.
* Professional Self-Care helps in preventing burnout, reducing work-related stress, and promoting career growth. Activities include setting boundaries at work, taking breaks, pursuing professional development, managing time effectively, and seeking a supportive work environment.
By incorporating these six forms of self-care into your routine, you can enhance your overall well-being and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
You can learn all about how to go from burnout to thriving in my latest podcast episode. Download here on Substack, listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch the video podcast on YouTube.
Want to Continue to Develop Tools for Self-Care, Improve Confidence and Foster Resilience?
Give these extraordinary TEDx talks a watch. I am so proud of my colleagues from the class of TEDxReno 2024. Each of them share such valuable experiences and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
Leadership in Challenging Times | Leif Babin | TEDxReno
youtube.com
How to recognize a master manipulator | Dan Jones | TEDxReno
youtube.com
Why you feel younger (or older) than your age | Tracey Gendron | TEDxReno
youtube.com
How to build trust in seconds | Adrienne Bankert | TEDxReno
youtube.com
How to ask for more—and get it | Alex Carter | TEDxReno
youtube.com
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
New Podcast Episode!
My latest podcast episode is out, and it's all about the summer blues (the lesser known counterpart to the winter blues). I'll give you the latest stats, give you a download on the common symptoms, and serve up an actionable tip to improve your mood daily (Try S.M.I.L.E.!). Listen now!
The Secret to Thriving
We all want to feel like we can thrive in our lives.
We want to believe that we can accomplish all the things that we set our eyes and hearts on.
But here’s the thing: We’ll only get as far in life as we believe we’re capable of going.
Insecure attachment and a negative or shaky self-concept puts limits on our dreams.
Together your attachment and self-concept impact what you believe is possible. These concepts (pun intended) are intertwined. They drive how you envision that your life will unfold.
Your self-concept influences whether you think you should reach for the stars or settle. It contributes to your beliefs about what you deserve out of life, and whether your believe your life is likely to improve if you put in your full effort at creating positive change.
Secure attachment leads to a strong, generally positive self-concept that propels you to dream big and believe that you can achieve what you put your mind to.
If you have insecure attachment, it’s as if there’s a program installed in you that’s running interference whenever you try to establish relationships (both romantic and platonic), find success at work, and reach your goals.
I want you to know that it is possible to heal your attachment style, build up your self-concept, and live the life of your dreams.
To aid in uncovering the ultimate picture of your hopes and desires it’s helpful to clarify what I like to call your “Life Vision.”
Your Life Vision is the:
* big picture of who you want to be,
* what you want to be known for, and
* what you want your life to look like.
Your Life Vision helps provide the rationale for your actions and decisions. It’ll help you clarify what you want out of life. It’s rooted in your most cherished values and helps determine how you go about your day-to-day activities in pursuit of this grand vision. It’s a roadmap that turns your dreams into reality and drives you to live life to the fullest—on your own terms.
Before, I wrap up this newsletter, I’d like to leave you with an exercise that can help you clarify your Life Vision:
* While in a comfortable position, gently close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths.
* Turn your attention to your thoughts. Observe them as if they’re clouds floating by. (Note: If your attention drifts, try not to judge yourself. Gently guide your attention back to observing your thoughts.)
* Imagine yourself slowly drifting to sleep. It’s peaceful and refreshing, and when you wake, you discover that everything you’ve ever wanted has materialized overnight. You have the life you’ve always desired. You have no fear of failure or regrets. People respect and cherish you, and rarely disappoint you. If you put your mind toward a goal, you can achieve it with time and effort. The wounds of the past have healed, which allows you to move forward in love and confidence. You are honoring your most important values and making significant strides toward self-actualization. You have achieved your ideal self, so that your self-image and your ideal self are completely aligned with one another.
* Allow your mind to wander and take in how you might feel if all of this has happened. Pay attention to the thoughts that you have in response to this vision. Think about what actions you might take upon discovering these changes. The following questions may help:
* What are some differences you might notice in the key areas of your life (family of origin relationships, current family relationships, physical health, mental health, work and career, romantic relationships, friendships, and self-image and self-esteem)?
* What is your job, and what does your day to day look like at work?
* Who are the most important people in your life—are they people from your family of origin, a romantic partner, or a couple of best friends?
* How do you feel about your physical and mental health?
* What are some ideas you have about your abilities to overcome challenges?
* What is your romantic partnership like if you have one?
* What is your relationship like with your child or children?
* What are some of the feelings you have as you consider who you are and how you feel about yourself?
* Return your attention to your breathing and take a few more deep breaths in and out. Gently open your eyes and bring your awareness back to the room.
That’s the exercise!
Once you complete the exercise, take a few minutes to record some of the thoughts and observations you had while reflecting on your Life Vision.
You might note how this vision made you feel, think, and the actions you might take if this really was your new life. How might things be different with family, relationships, and so on?
Next, read through your journal entry, pay attention to how you feel, and ask yourself these two questions (be honest):
* Do you believe that your Life Vision fully captures your potential, or did you limit your own wishes and dreams in any way?
* Do you believe that your Life Vision is achievable with time and effort, or do you think it’s just a pipe dream that will never come to pass?
Your answers to these questions will help guide you toward the steps you need to take to actualize your LIfe Vision. And by looking at the influence your attachment has had on your life, you can identify the areas where this interference has been the most powerful, and you can get started on the work of healing and pursuing the life of your dreams.
Here’s to your success and happiness,
Judy
Bonus Resource - My Nervous System Regulation Meditation Scripts!
Her are my nervous system regulation scripts if you haven't checked them out yet - to help manage stress and improve well-being. Try these out and let me know which one is your favorite!
Subscribe and download so you don’t miss these quick bites of mental health wisdom with me! 🌿
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Want to know the must-haves for a great start to your day every morning? It’s a morning routine that can take just a few minutes on your busiest days.
I have become a true fan of morning routines. It is so important to start your day off right so that you can be ready for any challenges you might encounter while maintaining a steadfast, calm, and resilient mindset.
Key Benefits of Morning Routines
* Sets a positive tone. Starting the day with positive and intentional activities sets a positive tone and helps cultivate a proactive mindset.
* Improves Productivity. A routine provides structure, helping you prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
* Mental Clarity and Stress Reduction. Morning routines can reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, and promote a sense of peace and balance.
* Builds Healthy Habits. Repeating positive actions every morning builds habits that contribute to long-term success and well-being and enhances your ability to stick to goals and commitments.
Over the years I’ve tried all kinds of activities to try to drill down on the best morning routine. And here are the ingredients to mine - I hope they help you too. On a busy day, each activity can take as little as 1 minute – and everyone has time for a 5 minute morning routine!
Dr. Judy’s Top 5 Ingredients for Morning Routine
* Respond to a journal prompt. Every morning, spent just a couple of minutes journaling to an idea or theme. My favorite is to journal on gratitude. I name 3 things I am grateful for and write them down. But you can journal to anything you’d like, a question, an idea, reflect on a book you read, an inspirational quote, the ideas are endless!
* Do a task mindfully. This can be any task at all as long as you approach it deliberately in a present-minded way without distraction. My absolute favorite mindful task to do in the morning is to make and sip my coffee mindfully. It is amazing how much more enjoyable everything is when you approach it with a mindful focus.
* Get moving. Do some type of movement in the morning to get your blood flowing and your muscles limber. This can be a few yoga poses, some nice relaxing stretches, or a heart pumping workout. My morning runs are everything to me.
* Breathwork. The benefits of breath work are endless, and really helps to calm anxieties and stresses. There are multitudes of ways you can approach this, but I like box breathing. Simply count to 4 while inhaling, then hold your breath for 4, then exhale for 4 counts, then hold your breath for 4. Repeat 5-10 times for a great breath work routine!
* Get connected. Start your day off right with what every human being needs - some social connectivity. This could be a quick text check in to a friend, a phone call to a family member, or even writing a card to someone you care about. This helps us to remember we are part of something bigger than ourselves, which contributes to meaningfulness and joy.
What’s your favorite morning routine activity?
NEW Episode of my Mental Health Bites Podcast!
Check out the 2nd episode of my new podcast! In this episode, we cover social media and mental health – and how you can build digital resilience for yourself!
Is Social Media Really Bad for Our Mental Health?
Welcome to another episode of Mental Health Bites with Dr. Judy! In this 10-minute episode, we delve into a timely and important topic, answer your pressing questions, and provide a practical tip to enhance your mental wellness. 🌟
Timely Topic Discussion: Is social media really bad for our mental health? With the rise of social platforms - many people experience increased anxiety and depression, and the surgeon general is calling for a black box warning on social apps. But is there more to this than meets the eye? Join Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, as she breaks down the latest research and offers insights into this pressing issue.
Q & A Segment: Today, one listener asks what to do if their elderly parent is struggling with social media addiction. This is a more common problem than you think! Tune in to hear Dr. Judy's expert answer and learn how to have difficult discussions about addiction with a loved one
Actionable Tip: Have you heard of social media fasting? There are huge benefits to your relationships, productivity, and overall well-being. Dr. Judy shares the keys to doing a social media fast and how to make it fun, too. Try this out and strengthen your resilience.
Subscribe and download so you don’t miss these quick bites of mental health wisdom with Dr. Judy! 🌿
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com -
Dear readers:
I’m so excited to share that I’ve launched a brand new podcast, which you can listen to or watch right here in substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
My podcast is called Mental Health Bites with Dr. Judy. In just 10 minutes, we dive into a hot topic, answer your burning questions, and leave you with a practical tip to improve your mental wellness. 🌟
I created this podcast for people who love to learn and improve themselves, but find they don’t have the time to listen to an entire podcast from beginning to end. Mental Health Bites is designed to be consumable while you’re on the go - you can get all the wellness information you need in just 10 minutes!
Here’s the details on my very first episode which you can watch here on YouTube, or listen to right here on Substack or any of your preferred podcast platforms!!
Timely Topic Discussion: Are we in an ADHD epidemic? With rising rates of ADHD diagnoses, it's crucial to understand if these increases are genuine or if other symptoms are being mistaken for ADHD. Join Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, as she breaks down the latest research and offers insights into this pressing issue.
Q & A Segment: Can a toddler have ADHD? This is a common concern for many parents. Tune in to hear Dr. Judy's expert answer and learn about the signs and considerations for diagnosing ADHD in very young children.
Actionable Tip: Want to become a focus superstar? Dr. Judy shares a simple yet effective technique to train your attention and enhance your focus every single day. Implement this tip and watch your productivity soar!
Don't forget to: 👍 Like this episode if you found it helpful 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast for more mental health tips and insights 💬 Leave a comment with your questions or topics you'd like us to cover next!
Follow Dr. Judy on Social Media:
* Instagram
* Twitter
* Facebook
Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:
* Dr. Judy YouTube
Subscribe to Dr. Judy’s newsletter:
* Newsletter
Subscribe and download so you don’t miss these quick bites of mental health wisdom with Dr. Judy! 🌿
SPECIAL WEBINAR!
🌟 Hey there, mental wellness warriors! 🌟
Ready to join me for an exclusive Zoom Q&A next week? Here's your chance!
I'm hosting a special webinar and want YOU there. All you need to do is choose one of the options below:
📚 Grab a copy of one of my latest books:
* "The New Rules of Attachment"
* "Stop Self Sabotage"
📩 DM me a screenshot of your receipt to @DrJudyHo on Instagram!
OR
🌟 Leave a glowing review for my newest book, “The New Rules of Attachment” on Amazon or Goodreads.
📸 Snap a screenshot and send it the same way @DrJudyHo!
PLUS
💌 I will choose some of my newest subscribers to my latest updates on SubStack to join us. You never know who may show up so get on it!
Your support means the world to me, and I can't wait to connect and hear what is on your minds.
Watch out for your invite and let's make this happen!
Order The New Rules of Attachment here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
Check out my TEDxReno talk
Visit my website!
Take my Attachment Styles Quiz!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on X
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage. An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drjudyho.substack.com
