The Self-Healing Mind: An Essential Five-Step Practice for Overcoming Anxiety and Depression, and Revitalizing Your Life

Self-care is a powerful, evidence-based medicine for the mind.

Mental health is the driving force behind every decision we make—how we live, work, and love. Many of us suffer from depression and anxiety, which impede our choices and quality of life, and despite the proliferation of prescription drugs, the numbers are growing across the globe. But there is another, proven way to achieve mental wellness, beyond antidepressants and talk therapy. Practicing psychiatrist Gregory Scott Brown believes that mental health begins with actionable self-care.

The Self-Healing Mind is a holistic approach to emotional and psychological healing that focuses on how evidence-based self-care strategies can be used to improve and sustain mental health. Dr. Brown challenges the current state of mental health care and the messaging around it, showing us how to move past outdated notions of “broken” brains and chemical imbalances. While he agrees that prescription drugs and talk therapy in many cases are important for healing, his personal and professional experience has taught him that lifestyle interventions are also key to sustainable mental wellness.

Dr. Brown’s clinical philosophy supports an integrative approach that combines conventional treatments (medication and psychotherapy) with what he calls the Five Pillars of Self-Care: breathing mindfully, sleep, spirituality, nutrition, and movement. These purposeful lifestyle practices, backed by science and proven in his clinical practice, can be adopted by everyone. Dr. Brown’s advice and insight put the power of healing back in your control.

Gregory Scott Brown, MD (@gregorysbrownmd) is a board-certified psychiatrist and mental health writer. His writing and commentary have appeared in the New York Times, the Huffington Post, Psychology Today, on the Today Show, and on NPR. He is an advisory board member for Men's Health magazine, where he regularly contributes content for mental health stories. He co-hosts an Instagram Live Series for Men's Health with fellow psychiatrist and writer Dr. Drew Ramsey called Friday Session that focuses on candid conversations about mental health. Some of his guests have included Dan Harris, Ant Anstead, Dr. Christine Moutier, and Coach Shaka Smart. He has also interviewed Common, Don Lemon, and Lisa Ling about topics related to mental health. Learn more at gregoryscottbrown.com