Author: microcomp

The email lands at 4:47 on a Tuesday. Subject line: “Quarterly Team Dinner, Friday at 7, attendance encouraged.” Daniel reads it twice, and his chest tightens before he finishes the second line. His jaw sets, his shoulders climb, his heart speeds up. Read more

What is the Cognitive Shuffle? The Cognitive Shuffle is a simple sleep-onset technique developed by Dr. Luc P. Beaudoin, a cognitive scientist who studies the brain’s transition from wakefulness into sleep. Beaudoin first described the technique, which he originally termed serial diverse imagining, in a 2013 paper at Simon Fraser University. Read more

Overthinking and negative self-talk can quickly spiral into anxiety and rumination. When thoughts feel repetitive, self-critical, or urgent, it can seem as though your mind is working against you. Learning evidence-based strategies to create psychological distance can help calm anxiety and restore perspective. Read more

Jason sits in a meeting, half-listening as a coworker presents. Out of nowhere, his chest tightens. His heart races, pounding so loudly he’s sure others can hear it. A wave of heat rushes through his body, and his hands begin to tremble under the table. Read more

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are behaviors people repeatedly perform involving their hair, skin, lips, cheeks, or nails. These behaviors, like skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting, or cheek chewing, can cause physical damage and emotional distress. What makes them particularly challenging is that even when someone wants to stop, it can feel nearly impossible to do so (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Read more

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious and complex mental health disorder. It was first described in the late 1800s by Italian psychiatrist Enrico Morselli, who called it dysmorphophobia (“fear of ugliness”). Today, BDD is categorized in the DSM-5 as an Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder. Read more

OCD isn’t about being overly clean or organized; it’s about a brain that triggers unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and urges. It’s a brain that misfires false alarms and often targets the things you care about most. In this article, we’ll explore why OCD feels so real, how compulsions keep the cycle alive, and the proven strategies that bring lasting relief. Read more

Understanding Why Some Minds Focus on What’s Wrong, and How to Shift It Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Why do I always zero in on what’s going wrong?” Even when life is going relatively well, your mind might zoom in on what you said wrong, what might fall apart, or what others could be thinking about you. Read more

What Is Self-Compassion? Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness, care, and understanding you’d offer a good friend in a difficult moment. Instead of criticizing yourself when you suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, you respond with warmth and support. How Does It Help Mental Health? Read more

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by anxiety, panic, or stress, chances are your amygdala has been working overtime. But what if instead of fearing your amygdala or trying to silence it, you learned to befriend it? This article explores how to build a compassionate relationship with this small but powerful part of your brain—and how doing so can help you regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and live more peacefully. Read more