The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The point of perspiration

Jeff Giesea • 219 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The point of perspiration is a moment when effort shifts to a flow state, making tasks feel easier and more natural. It's like finding a groove where you forget about your worries and enjoy what you're doing.
  2. We often experience this point in different areas of life, like parenting or work, where after a struggle, we get into a rhythm and just go with the flow.
  3. Instead of dreading the tough moments, we should embrace them as a chance to find our flow. Anticipating the sweat can lead to greater acceptance and joy in our activities.

How Are You Crazy?

What's Important? • 36 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Understand your partner's cognitive strengths and their matching weaknesses — a trait that feels like a superpower in one setting can be a curse at home, and recognising that breeds compassion.
  2. Speak about feelings instead of blaming — saying how something makes you feel (not what they did wrong) lowers arguments and invites cooperative problem-solving.
  3. Invest in self-awareness and couples work — therapy and deliberate inner growth build resilience and help marriages survive big crises.

The Whole of the Moon

The Joyous Struggle • 651 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mental health
  1. Mark's life, though marked by schizophrenia, was celebrated and remembered for his unique spirit and experiences.
  2. The relationship between Mark and his brother Jonathan was deep and influential, guiding Jonathan's growth and shaping his life.
  3. Despite the challenges Mark faced due to his illness, his family and friends, especially his mother, provided unwavering support and care throughout his life.

The alarm hurt today

My Home Office Hacks • 2 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Daylight savings makes mornings lighter, so it's a good opportunity to try getting up earlier. Starting at 6am during the transition can feel more manageable than jumping straight to 5am.
  2. An early-morning routine can boost solitude, mood, and productivity, but forcing a 5am wake-up can create anxiety and even make you wake up too early.
  3. If a newsletter stops arriving and it’s not in spam, your Gmail might be full or marking mail undeliverable; deleting unnecessary messages and freeing up space can restore delivery.
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Your brain 🧠 on exercise: How movement fuels you

Brain Pizza • 1059 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Aerobic exercise is great for your brain. It helps improve mood, increases brain volume, and boosts cognitive function.
  2. Resistance training is also important. Regular strength workouts can help maintain brain health, especially as we age.
  3. Metabolism is more complex than just calories in and out. Regular exercise and what we eat play big roles in how our body burns energy.

Joy

Lessons • 393 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Joy at work is doing something you love even if no one paid you for it.
  2. Finding joy in work comes from aligning your strengths with what you love doing.
  3. Prioritizing joy at work can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.

What Happens When You Stop Doomscrolling

OK Doomer • 347 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Doomscrolling can feel like aimlessly consuming bad news, but really it's about trying to find information to stay safe in tough times.
  2. Many people avoid discussing serious issues like climate change or politics, which leads to a reliance on uplifting content that ignores real problems.
  3. When you stop doomscrolling, you can find better communities that help you face anxieties and encourage real conversations about important issues.

You can just not do things...

David Spinks' Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. You don’t have to keep doing more to find meaning or calm; choosing not to do things can create real spaciousness and a sense of enoughness.
  2. When you feel pressured to start something, pause and ask what that urge is really looking for or afraid of, and allow yourself to feel those emotions instead of instantly acting.
  3. Let action come from ease and joy — if it feels like being rather than doing, it’s worth doing; for unavoidable tasks, surrender to them but still check whether you truly must do them.

Unstable women will stop at nothing

Disaffected Newsletter • 1258 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. Some women with specific mental health issues can make false claims about violence and abuse. It's a serious problem that affects many people.
  2. There are cases where therapists avoid female clients due to concerns about false accusations. This makes it hard for some women to get the help they need.
  3. It's important to speak out about these issues and not dismiss them as exaggeration. Sharing experiences can help others understand the risks involved.

Will AI Erotica Make Us Less Lonely, or More?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 92 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Mental health
  1. People can now build highly customizable AI companions and steer interactive erotic stories by feeding prompts and flipping an NSFW switch.
  2. These platforms can scale extremely fast and attract millions of users, showing strong demand for virtual intimacy.
  3. The technology promises to fight loneliness but also raises ethical and social concerns, since virtual relationships might deepen isolation or enable troubling fantasies involving vulnerable people.

Flaws in a Recent Lancet Study on Phone Use in Schools

After Babel • 853 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🚌 Education Mental health
  1. The study compared schools with only slight differences in phone policies, making it hard to see if phone restrictions really help students.
  2. The research didn't truly prove which phone policies caused changes in student mental health or grades, since it mainly showed correlations.
  3. There were issues with how they measured students' academic performance and phone use, which could affect the study's conclusions.

Is Dry January a Good Idea?

Are You Okay? • 1078 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Alcohol use can have negative effects on our bodies and minds, even if it seems pleasurable in the moment.
  2. The appropriate amount of alcohol to drink varies for each person, and self-awareness is crucial in evaluating alcohol consumption.
  3. Identifying and addressing the underlying reasons for drinking, such as uncomfortable emotions or bodily sensations, is important to develop healthier habits.

10x happiness increases are possible, and this is an underrated fact

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 2454 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Happiness is not a fixed state; significant increases in happiness are achievable through various factors like medication, career growth, physical activities, and personal growth.
  2. Factors contributing to increased happiness include therapy, meditation, improved social connections, financial stability, and positive life changes.
  3. Belief in static happiness levels may limit people from realizing their potential for significant happiness increases, preventing them from actively working towards a happier life.

The Truth About Courage

Play Permissionless • 139 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Internal barriers to courage often find support in the world around us, such as fear of damaging our ego or social status.
  2. Overcoming these barriers involves understanding and reframing the opinions of those who mock failure - their views may not align with our values or goals.
  3. Many fears lose their power when we make them specific, evaluate them objectively, and question the worst-case scenarios, revealing that the risks are often not as severe as perceived.

Intentional Consumption

Chronicles and Meditations • 59 implied HN points • 09 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Differentiate between consumption and production in your daily activities to make intentional choices.
  2. Recognize harmful consumption habits like unintentional, excessive consumption, and consumption disguised as production.
  3. Practice self-awareness to identify consumptive acts in your life and strive for intentional consumption.

From the outside in

City Quitters • 639 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Living in big cities can be really stressful and overwhelming. Many people are finding it harder to keep up with costs and expectations, leading to anxiety and burnout.
  2. Smaller towns and rural areas might offer a better chance for creativity and community. People are starting to move away from crowded cities to find space and balance in their lives.
  3. The idea of constant urban growth is being challenged. As cities struggle to provide basic living conditions, it's time to rethink how we value urban living and explore alternatives.

Some links

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. Mental health influences political views more than we think, especially among women. When people feel stressed or anxious, they tend to lean more towards liberal beliefs.
  2. The drop in birth rates is tied to fewer people forming relationships. It’s not just that people are choosing not to have kids, but they are also not getting together as couples to start families.
  3. More older writers are using AI tools, but most are doing it to help with research and editing rather than writing entire pieces. It shows how technology is shaping how we create content.

What is this Substack even about?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1338 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎙 Podcasts Mental health
  1. The podcast, Disaffected, explores how extreme personalities, like narcissism, affect public conversations today. It's about understanding these big feelings and behaviors that often go unnoticed.
  2. The host has personal experience with these issues, having grown up in a tough home environment. This background helps shape the discussions in the podcast.
  3. The show aims to provide insights and support for listeners who relate to the topics of emotional instability and personal struggles. There's a mix of articles and videos to help people dive deeper into the discussions.

Everything’s not awful: moving beyond Negativity Bias

Everything is Light • 687 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Negativity bias influences us to focus on bad news over good news, shaping our worldview.
  2. Young people face mental health challenges due to factors like heavy smartphone use, social media, and lockdowns.
  3. It's important to recognize the progress and positive advancements happening in the world, rather than solely focusing on negative narratives.

Patient Quick Guide To Talking About Weight with Healthcare Providers

Weight and Healthcare • 718 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Weight stigma in healthcare can be a common issue for higher-weight patients.
  2. Healthcare providers may focus excessively on weight loss even when it may not be relevant to the patient's health concerns.
  3. Patients have the right to refuse weight-focused care and can navigate discussions with their healthcare providers by explaining their reasoning or bypassing weight discussions.

Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?

News from Those Nerdy Girls • 373 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Puberty blockers are reversible and help improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the need for future surgeries.
  2. Using puberty blockers gives trans youth time to explore interventions and prevents irreversible physical changes.
  3. Research shows that puberty blockers are safe and beneficial for trans youth, improving well-being and decreasing mental health risks.

Living in a Cluster B world

Disaffected Newsletter • 879 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. The modern mental health industry often encourages harmful behaviors rather than helping people heal. This shift affects how society views mental health issues.
  2. There is a concern about the influence of Cluster B personality traits in culture, which may lead to a disregard for accountability and emotional manipulation.
  3. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing cognitive distortions and advocating for more effective therapeutic approaches.

Is Beachbody's Rebrand Really About Honoring All Shapes and Sizes? Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 678 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Beachbody's rebrand to 'BODi' does not truly represent a commitment to weight-neutral fitness, despite efforts to suggest otherwise.
  2. Their promotional materials and programs still heavily focus on weight loss and diet culture, with no substantial evidence provided for long-term weight loss efficacy.
  3. The rebranding claims to honor all shapes and sizes but seems to continue promoting weight loss and thin bodies as the ideal, lacking true fat-affirming or weight-neutral approaches.

BLINDSIGHT IS 2020

COVID Reason • 1348 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Some individuals faced harsh criticism for questioning Covid policies.
  2. Questioning the lockdown orthodoxy led to finding like-minded individuals.
  3. Managing a pandemic involves balancing public safety with human rights and freedoms.

Befriending the void

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 2844 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mental health
  1. We are often afraid of experiencing unmediated, raw existence without constantly asserting our identity.
  2. By learning to befriend the void through contemplative practice, we can find a sense of peace and acceptance.
  3. Being comfortable with the void can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and a sense of gratitude for existence.

Improve your focus, productivity and mood by recreating the sun

Metabolic Repair • 19 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Bright lighting can help you focus and feel more alert. If your workspace is too dark, try adding more light to boost your mood and productivity.
  2. Sunlight has a specific lighting quality, so using bright, focused lights can mimic that effect. Using movie spotlights is a great way to simulate sunlight indoors.
  3. The best setup involves placing a strong light behind you to mimic the sun's position. This will help light up your workspace without glaring on your screens.

Old Dog + New Tricks = Life Hack

Ladyparts • 798 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Society often pushes us to constantly achieve, but sometimes it's okay to do things just for the joy of doing them.
  2. Engaging in new activities, like improv classes or learning to play an instrument, can bring unexpected joy and purpose, even if you're not aiming to be a pro.
  3. Taking a chance on trying something new in times of despair can lead to life-changing experiences and discoveries.

Beyond Psychobabble

Deep Fix • 668 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Interpreting life over experiencing it directly can be exhausting
  2. Using frameworks and ideas to explain experiences can create barriers in relationships
  3. Moving away from overthinking and embracing genuine expression can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life

The long history of Psilocybe’s evolution; New bills in Indiana, California, and New Jersey; and COMPASS partners with a healthcare non-profit

The Microdose • 373 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Psilocybe mushrooms have a long evolutionary history dating back 67 million years.
  2. New bills in Indiana, California, and New Jersey focus on studying psilocybin for various mental health conditions.
  3. COMPASS partners with a healthcare non-profit in New Jersey to research psilocybin treatment for FDA approval.

Friday Q&A: assessing COVID risk; Ozempic/Mounjaro; booster shots; & CBD gummies for sleep

Are You Okay? • 459 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. It's important to balance the risks associated with COVID-19 with the desire for social interaction and living a fulfilling life.
  2. Protecting against serious COVID outcomes involves getting vaccinated and optimizing health, while preventing infection means avoiding sick individuals and wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces.
  3. Decisions regarding COVID risk mitigation should be personalized, taking into account individual vulnerabilities and risk tolerance, and it's advised to consult with a healthcare provider for tailored advice.

Don't Let The Vampire In

Reactionary Feminist • 30 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Engagement-driven algorithms reward strong emotions—especially anger, fear, or sex—which makes addictive, attention-seeking content spread fastest.
  2. Getting pulled into online fights or drama gives a quick ego hit but drains your focus, joy, and peace, so replying often costs more than it’s worth.
  3. Prevention is better than cure: set personal rules and stay grounded in real life (regular routines, physical activity, quiet or spiritual practices) to avoid getting sucked in.

Today's the day

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1169 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Election day is important for public health in the U.S. It can greatly affect how health policies are shaped and implemented.
  2. Open conversations between different political groups are crucial for building trust in public health. Everyone needs to work together to improve health outcomes.
  3. No matter the election result, those in public health will keep fighting for better health for everyone. The commitment to serve the public remains strong.