What do challenges as diverse as addiction, perfectionism, narcissism, and masochism have in common? They’re driven by a family of emotions that share “a painful awareness of self,” otherwise known as shame. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks with psychologist Dr. Joseph Burgo about the often-misunderstood experience of shame, and most importantly, how to overcome it. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/how-to-overcome-...
Oct 26, 2018•21 min•Ep. 219
Are you harder on yourself than 40-grit sandpaper? Do you feel like you’re falling short, no matter how high you’ve climbed? Are you tough as nails on yourself, but soft as mashed potatoes with others? Welcome to the esteemed yet insecure club of the highly self-critical. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 signs it’s time to release the pressure. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/5-signs-youre-too-self-critical Che...
Oct 19, 2018•9 min•Ep. 218
From a child who needs a bribe to make it through an errand to the colleague who expects you to rescue him from his poor planning, entitled individuals are more demanding than The Rock’s workout schedule. Sometimes entitlement sparks national conversation—“I got into Yale”—but more often it’s subtle: a double take and an, “Are you serious?” This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen uncovers 4 more ways to deal with people so pushy you’d think the last lifeboat was almost full. Read the ...
Oct 12, 2018•11 min•Ep. 217
What makes you feel insecure (besides trying on swimwear under fluorescent lighting?) Surprise! The culprit is your very own mind. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals three toxic thinking habits that keep you feeling insecure, plus offers three ways to feel more confident.
Oct 05, 2018•11 min•Ep. 153
It’s intuitive that getting out in nature is rejuvenating, but why? What is it about going over the river and through the woods that helps us clear our heads? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen dives into why our minds love to go green. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/why-getting-away-in-nature-is-good-for-your-mental-health Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW SAV...
Sep 28, 2018•10 min•Ep. 216
Like forms of procrastination—binge-watching GLOW, shopping for dog raincoats online, or stalking your middle school friends on social media—procrastinators themselves come in many shapes and sizes. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen profiles 3 classic types of procrastinators and offers 5 ways to change today! (Or tomorrow…) Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/3-types-of-procrastinators-which-one-are-you Check out all the Qu...
Sep 21, 2018•14 min•Ep. 215
When should you stick to your high standards? And when should you accept yourself as “enough”? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles whether self-improvement and self-compassion can be two great tastes that taste great together, or if they’re more like toothpaste and orange juice. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/self-improvement-vs-self-compassion-finding-the-balance Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http...
Sep 14, 2018•7 min•Ep. 214
Anyone who’s ever tried to help a friend in an abusive relationship has likely uttered the following two words: “Just leave.” But what seems so simple from the outside is much more complicated from the inside. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen dives into why victims of relationship violence return to their abusers, and exactly how abusers manipulate their partners not only into staying, but even defending them. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health...
Sep 07, 2018•11 min•Ep. 213
Mindfulness is the biggest thing since indoor plumbing. But as the mindfulness movement rolls on, myths and misinformation have popped up, like sweets in your grocery cart when shopping with a toddler. Therefore, this week Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen busts the 5 biggest myths of mindfulness. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/the-5-biggest-myths-of-mindfulness Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirt...
Aug 31, 2018•8 min•Ep. 212
Are your political views getting you unfriended on Facebook? Do you find yourself retreating to your particular bubble, even at the expense of relationships? Well, imagine being married to your political opposite. Now, imagine it actually working. Today’s guest, psychologist Dr. Jeanne Safer, has accomplished just that for 40 years. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen and Dr. Safer discuss political mixing and how to make it work. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddi...
Aug 17, 2018•25 min•Ep. 211
It happens to everyone. You’re supposed to go out, work out, or otherwise be active, but your energy is lower than a three-watt bulb. Are you actually tired? Or just being lazy or avoidant? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 ways to tell when you should push and when you should rest. Read the full transcript at https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/should-i-keep-pushing-myself-or-rest-4-simple-solutions Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: h...
Aug 10, 2018•9 min•Ep. 210
Sometimes guilt is appropriate: it links us to our moral compass and spurs us to right our wrongs. But too often, guilt crosses the line into inappropriate. It keeps us stuck, ruminating about the past, and, unchecked, can lead to depression. So what should you do if you feel as guilty as a teenage boy with a freshly erased browser history? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 7 ways to let go of guilt. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fit...
Aug 03, 2018•10 min•Ep. 209
Inequality, privilege, and injustice blare from the headlines. When faced with an unjust world, how do you cope? Do you dwell on unfairness? Or do you stay out of the fray? This week, by request from Melissa in San Francisco, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals the surprising truth about how each of us is wired for justice and revenge. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/does-revenge-work-our-minds-on-vengeance Check out all the ...
Jul 27, 2018•10 min•Ep. 208
We all find our soulmate, are successful in our chosen field, fulfill our dreams, and live happily ever after, right? No so much. Occasionally life is a bed of roses, but often it’s a briar patch. What to do when life inevitably lets you down? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to deal with life’s disappointments. Read the full transcript at Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW SAVVY PSYCHOLOGIST Order Ellen's book HOW ...
Jul 20, 2018•9 min•Ep. 207
The #metoo movement has shed much-needed light on sexual assault and harassment. But sexual abuse of another kind remains hidden even today. In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 6 men was sexually abused as a child, which means that in the U.S. alone, more than 25 million men are survivors, living with and trying to heal from the effects of childhood sexual abuse. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen and comedian Paul Gilmartin discuss the myths shrouding sexual abuse an...
Jul 13, 2018•29 min•Ep. 206
Comparing yourself to others inevitably leads you to feel bad about yourself. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to stop pining for that greener grass. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/stop-comparing-yourself-to-others-with-these-5-tips Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW SAVVY PSYCHOLOGIST Order Ellen's book HOW TO BE YOURSELF: https://us.macmillan.com/howtobeyourself/ellenhendri...
Jul 06, 2018•10 min•Ep. 205
Almost everybody struggles with it. But no one talks about it. What is it? How to discreetly sniff your own armpits in public? How not to buy the free sample after you just ate three of them? Not quite; it’s the mysterious process of making friends as an adult. This week, in a twist on the usual episode, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen presents an audio excerpt from her debut book, How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety. Read the full transcript at http...
Jun 29, 2018•41 min•Ep. 204
Usually, awkwardness gets thrown around as a personality trait,as in, "I hate parties because I'm so awkward." Or, "I have a hard time meeting new people because I'm awkward." But this week, This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen discovers that Melissa Dahl, journalist and author of Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness, looks at awkwardness in a different way: as an emotion. And that’s a feeling we can all relate to, whether we’re Sheldon Cooper, Michael Scott, or you or me. Read th...
Jun 22, 2018•21 min•Ep. 203
The recent tragedy of Robin Williams's suicide—and the ensuing media storm—raised awareness of suicide as a mental health issue, but also generated a lot of misinformation. This week, the Savvy Psychologist cleans up after the headlines. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1u8Rnmi
Jun 14, 2018•10 min•Ep. 34
They may not be lions and tigers and bears, but they are dogs and cats and bunnies, not to mention all sorts of other critters. Who are they? Emotional Support Animals, and they’re becoming more and more common on planes, in college dorms, in restaurants, and elsewhere in public life. This week, by request from an anonymous listener, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains what exactly emotional support animals are, and whether or not you really have to sit next to one at your favorite ...
Jun 08, 2018•9 min•Ep. 128
Heartbreak hurts, plus it affects our judgment. Suddenly, driving by our ex’s house “just to see,” posting overwrought poetry on our blog, and a six-pack nightcap all seem like good ideas. Is there a quicker and healthier way to make it through the heartache? Fear not. This week, by request from listener Thy, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles 4 ways to heal a broken heart. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/4-ways-to-heal-your...
Jun 01, 2018•9 min•Ep. 202
The introvert revolution has revolutionized how we view our personalities. But lifting up introverts has had unintentional side effects for extroverts, too often painting them as mouth-breathing party animals dancing on the bar. Is it true that extroverts have shallow relationships and draw energy from others like a vampire? Not so fast. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen concludes our two-part series by busting 4 myths of extroversion. Read the full transcript at Check out all t...
May 25, 2018•9 min•Ep. 201
To celebrate our 200th episode, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen gives a much needed makeover to 5 pieces of classic happiness advice. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/the-science-behind-5-classic-happiness-clich-s Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW SAVVY PSYCHOLOGIST Order Ellen's book HOW TO BE YOURSELF: https://us.macmillan.com/howtobeyourself/ellenhendriksen/9781250161...
May 18, 2018•11 min•Ep. 200
Some myths about introverts and extroverts stick around longer than gum on a city sidewalk: introverts are people-haters. Extroverts won’t shut up. Introverts are neurotic. Extroverts are shallow. Therefore, in this two-part series, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen dismantles the stereotypes. First up: three myths about introverts. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/busting-3-persistent-myths-about-introverts Check out all the Quick ...
May 11, 2018•10 min•Ep. 199
“I should probably get back to work,” we say, as we scroll through our Facebook page from 2012 or plan our wedding while still single. We all procrastinate, even at times we know better. How to stop? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers reasons we procrastinate, plus how to get back on task (right after this movie trailer on YouTube). Read the full transcript of Why We Procrastinate and 5 Ways to Stop Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows FOLLOW SAVVY PSYCHOLOGIST Ord...
May 04, 2018•11 min•Ep. 198
From a wet diaper to a skinned knee to a broken heart, our reasons for crying evolve as we grow. But as adults, sometimes the waterworks start for no apparent reason, or in an inconvenient place (during a work meeting, anyone?) This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen questions everything we know about crying, reveals why we sometimes burst into tears at seemingly random times, and offers 3 ways to stop. Except maybe while reading The Velveteen Rabbit. There, you’re on your own. Read t...
Apr 27, 2018•10 min•Ep. 197
As a family member, encouraging a loved one to seek mental health treatment is one of the thinnest tightropes we can walk. The stakes are high, the subject is touchy, and years of stressful family dynamics inevitably come into play. What to do? This week, by request from an anonymous listener, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen gets some great advice from mental health advocate Gabe Howard about a family member’s role in a loved one’s mental health recovery. Read the transcript at https://w...
Apr 20, 2018•18 min•Ep. 196
Studies show people who forgive have less depression, use less medicine, have more energy, and are more satisfied with life. All that sounds appealing, but forgiveness can be hard, especially when a transgressor doesn’t apologize. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen weighs in on how to let go of old hurts. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/5-ways-to-forgive-people-even-those-who-don-t-apologize Check out all the Quick and Dirty T...
Apr 13, 2018•14 min•Ep. 195
Turns out “gut feeling” is more than just a fancy name for intuition. Our small and large intestine, and the trillions of bacteria that call it home, are more important than ever imagined for influencing our mood, our anxiety, our choices, and even our personalities. This week Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen goes straight for the gut with 3 surprising mind-gut connections. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2imO7Fa
Apr 06, 2018•12 min•Ep. 136
What do a medieval fortress, a balled-up porcupine, and a lymphocyte have in common? They’re all pros at getting defensive. If your defensiveness gives a linebacker a run for his money, you’re in luck. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 tips to hear feedback while keeping your cool. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/how-to-stop-getting-defensive Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/pod...
Mar 30, 2018•12 min•Ep. 194
