EP159: Brain Health: The Power of Psychological Flexibility with Dr. Carrie Johansson

<p dir="ltr">People experience the benefits of aging gracefully when they hold onto positive beliefs and manage 'stinking thinking.'</p> <p dir="ltr">—Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Did you know that anxiety and depression are two major mental health problems affecting older adults today, according to the World Health Organization? What's even more intriguing is how they often go hand in hand, making their impact even more overwhelming. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It's only natural for us to wish these feelings away and strive for a happier state of mind all the time. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">However, our guest expert, Dr. Carrie Johansson, introduces us to the concept of psychological flexibility, which is essentially about accepting reality as it is (rather than how we want it to be) and effectively managing our emotional responses. Doing so can determine our next best steps toward a better state of mind.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join us in this week's episode as we delve into brain health, The Power of Psychological Flexibility, and more!  ▶️ </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">✔️Feeling anxious? No need to fight it!</p> <p dir="ltr">When you experience anxiety or feel down, resisting the feeling only makes it stronger. So, the first step is not to force yourself to relax; instead, it's just the opposite. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Carrie recommends paying attention to the fact that you're feeling low or extremely nervous about something. Acknowledging our emotions has a powerful impact, often reducing their intensity by about half. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">✔️Imagine your emotions are like little kids having tantrums inside your body</p> <p dir="ltr">Just by labeling the emotion you're experiencing, it's like giving attention to a child. Ignoring them only leads to more dramatic behavior. However, when you acknowledge them, gently reassure them, and let th