The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
The Rectangle β€’ 113 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  1. Avoid looking at your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night to resist the urge of always being on it.
  2. Limit social media usage to around 30 minutes a day to balance benefits like information and connection without negative effects like depression or anxiety.
  3. Using features like Screen Time on Apple devices can help manage screen time by setting daily limits on specific apps, fostering better usage habits.
Castalia β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 26 Nov 22
  1. Todd's story highlights the struggles many veterans face after returning home. They often deal with trauma, addiction, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life.
  2. During a visit, Todd expresses his feelings of pain and hopelessness, showing how deep his struggles run. Despite attempts to improve his life, he often feels overwhelmed and alone.
  3. The support system for veterans, like the friends at Ft. Endurance, plays a crucial role in their recovery. However, the challenges they face can make it hard for them to hold onto their progress.
QUALITY BOSS β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Dec 23
  1. A 30-day self-care challenge starts on January 1, 2024, with small tips that take 5 minutes or less. It's an easy way to make self-care a daily habit.
  2. The goal is to encourage people to focus on things they enjoy rather than what they feel they should do. Enjoying life more can help reduce burnout.
  3. Besides self-care tips, other content like Quality Engineering Basics will continue in February. This shows that even while focusing on self-care, other interests can still be pursued.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 22
  1. Diet culture can perpetuate eating disorders, making recovery more difficult.
  2. Weight stigma and fat-shaming, especially among girls, can lead to unhealthy behaviors and eating disorders.
  3. Promoting a weight-inclusive approach and moving away from weight-centric models can help prevent eating disorders and support full recovery.
Neuro Athletics β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 25
  1. Lowering LDL cholesterol is important for both heart health and brain health. Keeping your cholesterol low can help protect you from dementia.
  2. There is a lot of strong evidence showing that high cholesterol in midlife increases the risk of dementia later in life. It's crucial to manage cholesterol levels before it becomes a serious issue.
  3. While some people fear the side effects of statins, most do not experience significant issues. Statins can be an effective way to lower cholesterol and may actually help maintain cognitive function.
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Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 134 implied HN points β€’ 04 Nov 23
  1. Cutting out seed oils can lead to improved skin health and reduced sunburn sensitivity.
  2. Seed oils can easily oxidize and negatively impact cell membranes, potentially causing health issues.
  3. The body can regenerate various cells impacted by seed oils within days to years, leading to potential health improvements over time.
10x your mind β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 22
  1. The optimism bias is when we tend to overestimate good things happening to us and underestimate bad things.
  2. Optimists tend to overestimate their abilities and the role of their capabilities in success, and they hate the feeling of not being in control.
  3. Understanding the optimism bias can help us make better decisions, stay motivated during tough times, and be more realistic about our plans.
Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 01 Aug 25
  1. AI has the potential to really change our lives, but it also poses big risks. We need to talk about how to benefit from AI without getting hurt by it.
  2. Creating a Universal Basic Income could help everyone adapt to job changes caused by AI. This way, people can focus on improving their skills without the fear of losing everything.
  3. We should form groups of everyday people to discuss and oversee AI's use and effects. This helps ensure that decisions about AI work for everyone, not just a few powerful companies.
Castalia β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 08 Aug 22
  1. Recent revelations have shown that some Alzheimer's studies used falsified data, calling into question the direction of research and funding in this area.
  2. A new study suggests there is no link between serotonin levels and depression, challenging long-held beliefs about mental health and undermining the pharmaceutical industry's influence.
  3. There's a lack of balanced discussion on climate change, with many voices pushing for extreme positions instead of seeking a middle ground that acknowledges the reality of the problem without inducing panic.
I have thoughts β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 22
  1. Every person deserves the right to live their life as they choose, free from restrictions or forcible actions against their will.
  2. Parenting is a deeply personal journey that can be all-consuming, requiring support, resources, and respect for individual choices and challenges.
  3. Advocacy for human rights, bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom is crucial, highlighting the importance of empathy, understanding, and support for diverse experiences and choices.
Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts β€’ 201 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 23
  1. Different individuals have varied opinions and behaviors regarding masking and COVID precautions.
  2. Some people continue to wear masks diligently while others do not see the need.
  3. Views on COVID precautions, like masking and taking medication, vary among different individuals.
The Takeoff β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 23
  1. Meditation helps to de-stigmatize mental health by making it more accessible and reframing the issue.
  2. Headspace Health has partnered with major healthcare providers like Cigna and Kaiser Permanente to expand access to mental health services.
  3. Creating a platform that combines mindfulness, therapy, and medication can provide significant value to employers and drive engagement.
Ben’s Blog πŸ‰ πŸ§ πŸ§‘β€πŸ’» β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 25
  1. It's important to seek help when you're struggling. Waiting too long can lead to deeper issues like depression.
  2. Talking to a professional can help you see unhelpful thinking patterns that drain your energy.
  3. Finding the right support is tough but necessary. It's better to address your struggles early rather than suffer in silence.
Are You Okay? β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 19 Sep 22
  1. Acceptance of the realities of aging is key to redirecting energy to things we can control.
  2. Prioritize strength training to maintain muscle mass, essential for various daily activities.
  3. Optimize cognitive health through exercise, diet, sleep, mental stimulation; prioritize social connections for overall well-being.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 23
  1. Gratitude has a significant negative relationship with perceived stress and fatigue in software engineers - more gratitude means less stress and fatigue.
  2. Women software engineers reported higher levels of stress and fatigue on average compared to men in the study.
  3. Showing gratitude in software engineering teams can reduce stress, increase happiness, and boost productivity - leaders should prioritize cultivating a culture of gratitude.
Sex and the State β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jul 25
  1. Losing weight can be seen as empowering for women in a society that often discriminates against them based on their size. Slimming down might lead to fewer stigmas and better opportunities for women.
  2. However, choosing to lose weight should not be framed as the only way to fight sexism. Individual choices about body size have little effect on larger societal issues like misogyny or fatphobia.
  3. It's important for women to make choices that work for them personally, even if those choices don't directly challenge societal norms. Feminism can include various ways to address sexism without just focusing on body image.
Skeptic β€’ 89 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
  1. Pseudoscientific beliefs can have dangerous consequences in medical care decisions, like those seen in transgender care and attachment therapy.
  2. Many psychological theories throughout history have been debunked as quackery, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based practices in the field.
  3. The tragic case of Candace Newmaker serves as a reminder of the risks of pseudoscientific practices in therapy and the critical need for ethical, evidence-based psychological interventions.
David Spinks' Newsletter β€’ 44 implied HN points β€’ 13 Nov 24
  1. Success can feel like a mountain made of layers, built from our experiences and beliefs about love and acceptance. Many people work hard because they feel they have to earn their worth.
  2. Realizing that you are already enough can be a powerful shift. It allows you to stop chasing external validation and allows a more authentic relationship with work.
  3. Working should bring you life and joy, not just security or status. It's important to focus on what truly fulfills you and aligns with your values.
Brain Blast β€’ 3 HN points β€’ 18 Jun 24
  1. Elephants have been found to have 'names' for each other, implying a form of abstract representation and potentially more complex communication abilities than previously thought.
  2. A new potential PTSD treatment involves affect labeling where patients associate emotions with images, engaging brain circuits related to emotion regulation and inhibition.
  3. Engaging in affect labeling can help activate neural circuits that protect from extreme emotional responses and offer control over reactions to emotions, supporting mental health treatment efforts.
Running Probably β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 23
  1. Motivation for running can be challenging and fluctuates due to various factors like lack of sleep, stress, or weather.
  2. Listening to your body is important - if you're sick, tired, or sore, it's okay to take a break and prioritize rest.
  3. Establishing a solid pre-run routine can help combat lack of motivation and make it easier to get out the door.
OK Doomer β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 25
  1. Silence can be very beneficial for our mental health and focus. Taking time to enjoy quiet moments helps our brain work better.
  2. Life is becoming increasingly chaotic and normal seems far away. We need to adapt to these changes and find ways to cope with the new reality.
  3. Rest is important and shouldn't feel like a luxury. We all need to prioritize taking breaks for our well-being.
Who is Robert Malone β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jun 25
  1. When you lose weight, your fat cells change but don't go back to how they were before you were overweight. They remember being obese and can make it hard to keep the weight off.
  2. Even after losing weight, your fat cells can still act like they're starving, which makes you feel hungrier and can lead you to gain weight back.
  3. It takes a long time for your body to fully recover from obesity, so staying at a lower weight can require more effort and self-control than for someone who has always been slim.
Taipology β€’ 38 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 24
  1. A civil servant in Taiwan took his own life after working long hours and experiencing pressure at work. His situation raised serious concerns about workplace bullying and mental health.
  2. The response from management was troubling, with a boss denying any bullying occurred and shouting at staff to avoid discussing the issue. This shows a lack of accountability and support for employees.
  3. The public outcry has sparked calls for reform to protect workers from abuse and create a safer work environment. It's clear that many people feel there needs to be more transparency and support in the workplace.
My Home Office Hacks β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jul 25
  1. Taking care of your knees and hips is really important if you sit a lot during the day. There are helpful exercises on TikTok that you can try.
  2. Some specific exercises for knees and hips can make a big difference in how you feel. It’s worth checking out videos that show these movements.
  3. TikTok can be a distraction, so it's smart to download useful videos instead of just bookmarking them. This way, you won’t get sucked into scrolling for too long.
Castles in the Sky β€’ 41 implied HN points β€’ 06 Nov 24
  1. Training for a half marathon has shifted my view on what's possible. I used to think certain goals were unreachable, but now I'm running regularly and feeling empowered.
  2. Reflecting on my past goal-setting has shown me the value of having big goals. It's interesting how I used to see myself as driven by small goals, but I might shift back to aiming higher.
  3. Understanding ADHD has been a journey filled with mixed feelings. During testing, I felt shame for past behaviors, highlighting the need to see these challenges in a more compassionate light.
Ben’s Blog πŸ‰ πŸ§ πŸ§‘β€πŸ’» β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jan 25
  1. Being kind to yourself is really important. It helps you feel proud just for being you, not just for what you achieve.
  2. Self-compassion can improve personal growth. Accepting where you are in life brings a sense of peace.
  3. Taking a more relaxed approach to your career can lead to better results. Stop forcing things and let them happen naturally.
The Leadership Lab β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 22
  1. Funks happen, and it's important to accept and be in them. Avoid having an avoidance mindset and shift towards an approach mindset.
  2. Navigate through a funk by focusing on balancing stress and rest cycles rather than overworking or completely avoiding work.
  3. Practice awareness, acceptance, and letting go to move through a funk. Embrace the journey of being in a funk instead of trying to escape it.
Chasing Melody β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 23
  1. Calmness makes everybody around you better by leading to better thinking and decision-making.
  2. Calmness is valuable in every single situation, whether it's a crisis, a big opportunity, or a significant life event.
  3. Calmness quiets the lizard brain, allowing for creative thinking and exploration of different perspectives.
About to Learn β€’ 156 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 23
  1. Urge surfing is a technique to manage impulses by visualizing them as ocean waves and letting them pass without giving in.
  2. Short mindfulness exercises can be as effective as longer, more intensive treatments for mental health.
  3. Consistency in mindfulness practice is key, and even short sessions can provide significant benefits over time.
Anxiety Addiction & Ascension β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jun 22
  1. Labels like 'alcoholic' can oversimplify complex issues and may not fully capture individual circumstances and nuances.
  2. Admitting and recognizing a problem is the crucial first step towards recovery and change.
  3. Having a personalized system to track progress and set goals can help in controlling addictive behaviors and staying motivated in sobriety.