The Mindful Self-Express

Gaslighting

How Gaslighters May Manipulate You Into Taking the Blame

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on March 12, 2024

Is gaslighting always intentional? What do gaslighters say to manipulate you?

Is gaslighting always intentional? What do gaslighters say to manipulate you?

Trauma

Understanding the Trauma Brain

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

Unprocessed trauma memories are stored in your brain in fixed, isolated neural networks. When triggered, you overreact or under-react. Neuroplasticity can help.

Unprocessed trauma memories are stored in your brain in fixed, isolated neural networks. When triggered, you overreact or under-react. Neuroplasticity can help.

Gaslighting

5 Go-To Tactics of Gaslighters, and How to Resist Them

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

Gaslighting occurs in the workplace, in politics, and in intimate relationships. But how do you spot it? Unlike overt bullying, gaslighting can be difficult to recognize.

Gaslighting occurs in the workplace, in politics, and in intimate relationships. But how do you spot it? Unlike overt bullying, gaslighting can be difficult to recognize.

Guilt

5 Thinking Errors that Underlie Guilt and Shame

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Guilt and shame are common reactions to trauma or valued aspects of everyday life, including work, health and relationships. Excessive guilt can result from cognitive biases.

Guilt and shame are common reactions to trauma or valued aspects of everyday life, including work, health and relationships. Excessive guilt can result from cognitive biases.

Stress

Why Your Brain Won't Let Go of Small Stressors

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on March 30, 2021

Do you hold onto small stressors for too long, prolonging their effect? An area of the brain called the amygdala plays a role. You can train your amygdala to let go and move on.

Do you hold onto small stressors for too long, prolonging their effect? An area of the brain called the amygdala plays a role. You can train your amygdala to let go and move on.

Narcissism

Are Narcissists Actually Covering Up Insecurity?

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

Narcissists act as if they are superior to you, but they may be covering up underlying insecurity and unstable self-esteem by seeking social status and validation.

Narcissists act as if they are superior to you, but they may be covering up underlying insecurity and unstable self-esteem by seeking social status and validation.

Stress

Stress in America: Life and Work Disrupted by the Pandemic

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

The 2020 Stress in America survey paints a picture of lives disrupted by the pandemic and worsening mental health, particularly for Generation Z.

The 2020 Stress in America survey paints a picture of lives disrupted by the pandemic and worsening mental health, particularly for Generation Z.

Motivation

Cultivating Hope to Boost Your Mental Health Under Stress

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

Research shows cultivating hope as an active resource (vs. passive, wishful thinking) can improve your mental health and resilience to stress. Find out how you can be more hopeful.

Research shows cultivating hope as an active resource (vs. passive, wishful thinking) can improve your mental health and resilience to stress. Find out how you can be more hopeful.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Why PTSD Is a Mind-Body Condition

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

We think of PTSD as a purely mental health disorder, but it actually is a mind-body condition. Chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation may be the reason.

We think of PTSD as a purely mental health disorder, but it actually is a mind-body condition. Chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation may be the reason.

Loneliness

Do Lonely People Have Different Brains?

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on December 27, 2020

Lonely people see themselves and others differently. New MRI research shows the brain's default mode network may contain a signature for loneliness.

Lonely people see themselves and others differently. New MRI research shows the brain's default mode network may contain a signature for loneliness.

Anxiety

6 Negative Mindsets That Increase Your Anxiety

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on September 24, 2020

You may not be able to stop being anxious, but you can stop your anxiety from taking you down a dark tunnel, wasting your energy, and causing you to make unwise choices.

You may not be able to stop being anxious, but you can stop your anxiety from taking you down a dark tunnel, wasting your energy, and causing you to make unwise choices.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Trauma, PTSD, and Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on July 27, 2020

People with PTSD are at higher risk for depression, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune conditions. Chronic, low-grade inflammation may be the reason why.

People with PTSD are at higher risk for depression, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune conditions. Chronic, low-grade inflammation may be the reason why.

Optimism

The Limits of Optimism and Pessimism

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on July 14, 2020

When it comes to finances, is optimism best or is it better to be more cautious? An 18-year study examined this issue. The answer may surprise you.

When it comes to finances, is optimism best or is it better to be more cautious? An 18-year study examined this issue. The answer may surprise you.

Stress

How the Stress of the COVID-19 Pandemic Scrambles Your Brain

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

The pandemic and current national crises create a sense of threat, uncertainty, and loneliness. But there are science-based strategies that can make you more resilient.

The pandemic and current national crises create a sense of threat, uncertainty, and loneliness. But there are science-based strategies that can make you more resilient.

Trauma

Post-Traumatic Growth During a Pandemic: Is That a Thing?

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on May 10, 2020

Post-traumatic growth is the process of coming to terms with trauma and changing your life in a more meaningful or positive direction. Can we do this in the age of COVID-19? How?

Post-traumatic growth is the process of coming to terms with trauma and changing your life in a more meaningful or positive direction. Can we do this in the age of COVID-19? How?

Media

Media Exposure to COVID-19: How Much Is Too Much?

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on April 1, 2020

The media play a vital role in informing us about COVID-19. But sitting glued to the TV all day can create stress and promote unwise behavior. How much media exposure is too much?

The media play a vital role in informing us about COVID-19. But sitting glued to the TV all day can create stress and promote unwise behavior. How much media exposure is too much?

Stress

5 Ways to Rewire Your Brain to Deal With Coronavirus Stress

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on March 15, 2020

Coronavirus creates the perfect storm to trigger automatic, primitive brain reactions to danger. It is life-threatening, unfamiliar, and unpredictable. Find out how to de-stress.

Coronavirus creates the perfect storm to trigger automatic, primitive brain reactions to danger. It is life-threatening, unfamiliar, and unpredictable. Find out how to de-stress.

Mindfulness

The Surprising Reason Mindfulness Makes You Happier

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on January 27, 2020

Some studies have shown that mindfulness interventions increase positive feelings, but we don’t really know why this happens. A recent research study sought to delve deeper.

Some studies have shown that mindfulness interventions increase positive feelings, but we don’t really know why this happens. A recent research study sought to delve deeper.

Friends

Does Being More Social Make Us Happier?

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on December 31, 2019

Are deeper conversations more satisfying than superficial ones—and are we happier when interacting with people that we like more?

Are deeper conversations more satisfying than superficial ones—and are we happier when interacting with people that we like more?

Health

How Married Couples Influence Each Other’s Physical Health

Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

Couples can influence each others’ stress levels, mood, and health behavior patterns. The gut may hold the key linking behavior in intimate relationships with long-term health.

Couples can influence each others’ stress levels, mood, and health behavior patterns. The gut may hold the key linking behavior in intimate relationships with long-term health.