What Stoicism Can Teach Us About Mental Health

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There are moments where things are so bad it can seem like they’ll never get better. Perhaps we’re young and being bullied. Or we’re in the midst of some massive rush of negative publicity-maybe we’re being canceled, or as the Stoics often were, exiled. Or the political situation seems to deteriorate each day. Or we’re just so sick or in pain that we can’t get out of bed.
In this video Ryan Holiday talks about how Stoicism has improved his mental health and how it can improve yours too.
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[@kirodezno12]

As Seneca said, let stoicism be like a balm for the wounds of life and the destructive passions like anger and grief. And to everyone that's going through a rough patch, keep going and remember that it gets darker just before dawn.

[@deanodog3667]

Seneca was a charlatan though!

[@gabrielacurti9678]

Thank you for that last sentence..!

[@deanodog3667]

@@gabrielacurti9678 no problem

[@NicholasDunbar]

It doesn't matter if the dawn you're waiting for to come. Some of us have wounds that never heal. I prefer, "one door closes another opens. "

[@Sebastian-wn6cr]

0:57 take a walk 1:39 live with virtue 2:39 be present 3:17 make good choices 3:57 ask for help 5:05 don’t imagine trouble 5:46 don’t get distracted

[@ratgirl13]

Thanks for the summary. Saved me some time. You rock!

[@billkhan1154]

Thank you

[@maksatmagtymov2491]

@@billkhan1154 to 8

[@sensecarter2516]

These teachings have been instrumental in my personal growth. Having dealt with anxiety and depression, the constant gratitude checklists and resolving personal issues and emotions have led to a freedom that belies any situation I've been in. Keep up the great work!

[@evaramirez879]

Well said! It’s helping me tremendously 🙌🏽 so grateful!

[@thetorontogirl]

I had no idea I was practicing Stoicism for years now without even knowning it! People told me I always looked very Stoic but in reality I'd be feeling my emotions and sometimes, I'd be miserable cause I'd be secretly freaking out. Recently I've been practicing being more present in my life and feeling the feels. It's what has helped my anxiety tremendously. It's been incredibly healing to say the least.

[@angelicaocon1461]

I'm diagnosed with bipolar disorder since 2019. Your book - meditation, videos and daily mail have helped me when I'm trying to improve myself.. My co-workers were even surprised when they found out that I have bipolar disorder because they haven't experienced any mood swings with me.. They see me as a chill, calm and soft-spoken person.. I must say, your words really challenged me to improve myself everyday..

[@seymills]

glad you are doing well :) i too have been diagnosed with bipolar disease and do my best to be a better person everyday :)

[@vickielewallen3799]

I love quotes by people who took the time to really ponder and think about life, and what works and what doesn't. Reading and collecting them has really improved my life. The sources might be stoicism, biblical proverbs, other ancient proverbs, philosophers like Lao Tzu, etc. Why make all the mistakes yourself, when you can learn from others who lived and learned? Wisdom truly *is* more valuable than gold..

[@dihblacksheep]

Go for a Walk Live with virtue Be Present Make Good Choices Don’t Imagine Troubles

[@andrewmunlin5263]

Always on point.

[@Dad_K]

I will absolutely attest to the benefit of signing up for the email list. Just do it; one small step forward.

[@zsuzsablom6256]

I start my morning with one of your videos and The Daily Stoic 365 meditations. Clarity for the day. Thank you.

[@Noelsterrr]

"Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history but today is a gift, that's why it's called the present"

[@williampyatt3805]

I grew up in the 70's and 80's and I always equated Mr. Spock's Vulcans the same as Stoics. But I learned things I discovered for myself were actually Stoic in nature so here I am at the beginning. I want to thrive, not survive.

[@scottsw3328]

These vids have really helped with my depression and anxiey, turns out i was just thinking wrong.

[@StoicEvolution1]

Marcus Aurelius: "Today I escaped from anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions-not outside."

[@armandofelipe3462]

Hello Ryan, if I could just summarize 1000 thank you words in one sentence I would!Thank you! I am a full-time teacher, and have been stuck in a rut for the longest time. lately hasn’t been too kind,dealing with stress, family issues, and so much more. finding your channel, literature and subscribing to your daily stoic Emails, has been beyond a life-saving tool for my life, and even though I have always follow Christ learning from your philosophy videos has been like a pirate ocean treasure discovery. God bless From Richmond TX. ER

[@kirk1208]

Just woke up to this. Great start to the day🤙

[@majortree]

Funny, I was out today running errands and focusing on "being present." I get home and here's a video about it. Nice...

[@fifimimi6834]

Hey Ryan, thank you for what you do. You deserve any amount of happiness.

[@nowhere5737]

I've dealt with depression since I was 16I've also had 3 strokes and I'm 42. I used to ask myself why am I still here just to suffer?Then I had a stoic quotes video in my you tube feed.the rest is history.

[@carolclmcm1214]

Strength and love to all of you, my brothers and sisters.

[@drstafford4194]

Spot on. Talk about needing to hear this today!👍

[@unjoined]

Thank you Ryan!

[@LinhHueTran]

Literally needed this today.

[@caroleirwin2727]

Thank you! I watch you everyday!

[@robgarcia1489]

Thanks for the dose of knowledge!!!

[@Deezynutzy12]

I’m so thankful I stumbled upon your channel.

[@RealziesCuts]

Great vid, bless you all ✊

[@justincoffman9414]

Thanks brother. Love this channel

[@Rango965]

You're so good man! Just keep on!

[@rdbx7710]

Another great video!

[@user-cp2pf8wn5w]

Thank you and Grateful always!!!

[@bradfairbridge9400]

Grateful for you and the content you produce Ryan 🙏🏼

[@jasonmiles1857]

Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@jcjames9668]

To think deeply about others and ourselves, embrace stoicism.

[@finleykim]

This is so helpful. Thank you.

[@chente7115]

Thanks Stoics! Thanks Mr. Holiday!

[@that1guycliff]

For me, this is one of the best and most encouraging videos I’ve watched of yours. It is what I needed to hear today. Thank you.

[@Hymerine]

Thank you, so good to be reminded to carry on striving and be inspired.

[@drcbeartooths]

Thank you!

[@kistar3460]

”-Stoicism is there to help us through the problems in life.” Thank you Ryan for your videos, will keep that line in mind!

[@andreasvanbergen9696]

Wow! Thank you so much for this video! I immediately signed up! Thanks!

[@lillyandtheghosts3597]

Love this Philosophy

[@marianadavila323]

Ryan, thank you. Just thank you

[@michaelk4740]

Great video 👍 thanks for sharing

[@charliewood7899]

Thank you. You make a difference

[@Verdeangela12]

So uplifting! In perfect time for the New Year!

[@truebryantcoaching]

Super valuable and relevant. I’m adding some videos on my channel and you’re one of my inspirations. Thanks, Ryan!

[@jimclark5892]

Thanks for the guidance and information. It’s definitely helping me shape my current and future self (if I’m lucky enough to have a future self).

[@dailydefaults]

Honestly one of your best videos thus far. Thank you for teaching me stoicism, Ryan.

[@sanmarcoexplorer2726]

Thank You.

[@eurob12]

Thank you

[@waltsisson2880]

Thanks for sharing these videos and the Daily Stoic. The messages are helping me focus on the things that are important and right and to be present for whatever is in front of me. Just started reading The Way and looking forward to continue to learn.

[@dimitrisiliadis4939]

This is one of the best videos that can transform our lives

[@mikehogan1827]

Love your videos. At 7 minutes, your passion comes through beautifully. Reminds me of Bill Murray in Scrooged, when he was talking to the TV audience (towards the end of the movie). I’m serious. That’s a great scene, and you also nailed it. A beautiful, inspiring message.

[@lillyandtheghosts3597]

Fighting everyday!!!!

[@mettapresentnow]

Ryan, you and along with Sam Harris' teachings have genuinely helped me- a uni student just be present and get through it all. It's also inspired me to share my mindful ness journey on KZbin. And how even a a formerly unfocused individual like me can slowly improve!

[@thomasgilbert9347]

thanks for the video. I am also on your email list. listening every day.

[@johngibbz8452]

As of now and forever im happy since my gr.12 teacher introduce mo to stoicism,like if i weren't then maybe ill be in my darkest days or in grave atm💯❤️

[@stugillis]

This was a great one. As a new student of stoicism I’m grateful for the guidance. I relate to much of the teachings; being a veteran I’ve used much of the ethos but I would have like to have been exposed to this concept earlier in my career; I’m sure it would have helped me!

[@naledi5332]

Amor fati

[@flays1169]

Thank you for your service. All the best

[@denniskrook2925]

After a relationeship of 12 years my wife told me yesterday that se wants to divorce. I really think this video and stoic meditation are helping me alot of dealing with this fact. Thanks for all the content!!!

[@Red23165]

Thanks 🙏

[@durauntejackson1971]

Thank u

[@DesertMav]

This content is great, even if I don't exactly follow the stoic ethos, it inspired me to do a little bit better and these videos help reduce the amount of stress I go through.

[@henokkassa5646]

thanks from ethiopia!

[@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776]

Great meditation to start the day=]

[@Dev-op7kn]

Stoics feel emotions. They just express it in a destructive way. Rather stay centered. Like in the eye of a storm. Calm

[@hotkeyafl]

If you truly understand that life is only lived once and that others in the world are a lot worse off, then you will have no problem being resilient. We live in an entitled society in the easiest time in history.

[@mb8kr]

Exactly.

[@nuggs5509]

I used to do this....I tried meditation, I tried writing and I tried being in the moment....it was just death and feeling like a failure didn't help. Ahhh my mind has been clouded for so long I've been coming around... realising death is coming and I never know when and how.

[@naresschand5059]

Good information

[@moiragillott8060]

Thanks so much for non-religious help!

[@rugvedadeshpande5534]

It's a beautiful video. One think I think is that we shouldn't just ignore all the other paths because that may close better ways for us. We can analyse and then decide if we should consider the other paths.

[@aniccaanatta1774]

I love stoicism, taois and Buddhism,brings so much relief

[@christophercirocco8611]

Well Done

[@SaintBirdie]

This stuff is life

[@The_Smith]

Thanks Ryan, not sure when I started recieving the daily stoic email, gotta be close to since near the beginning, and although I never noticed until after atleast a year, how much that tiny little lesson every day has done to strenghten my mental health. Again thankyou.

[@aksbeixhev]

I consider myself 50/50 stoic/epicurean but your presentation made me wanna focus more on making good choices. Less lazy choices.

[@TheYorickFrijtersShow]

What camera do you use, Ryan? This quality is amazing

[@BaloonieFloat]

Amazing

[@davet5033]

U are my people

[@dgdffgdf]

Good thing about your live is that you have a Holiday every day :)

[@no.thx.]

I've known about 'walking' first thing in the morning because I used to ride BMX, and something about that completely human powered machine really got me in touch with I think some of the normal animal instincts that we spend most of our societal existence trying to ignore. I used to love night rides too, but last night I went for a walk before bed and I realized how natural and right it felt to bookend a day like that. It just makes a kinda sense that you can feel. That's what draws me to stoicism, and ancient philosophy in general. I'm not a Luddite (obviously), but I do believe there is a quantifiable decline in humanity's ability to connect with our own instincts the more our lives become insulated from the natural world around us. We came from the world around, we will return to its dirt when we're done borrowing our meat vehicles, and yet we try as hard as we can to separate ourselves from the world and build imaginary worlds that are starting to look more like prison cells to me now..

[@drkylevietnguyen]

I appreciate all the walks, the runs, the travel expenses, the costume changes, the props, and the paid background actors, just to make a free 8-minute video for my mental health. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@andreaglass2950]

The first book I read to my students this year is “The Boy Who Would Be King”. Love your message😊.

[@itsmichaelmai]

Which grade? :)

[@andreaglass2950]

@@itsmichaelmai Fourth grade😊. I also bought the book for my two young grandsons and “The Girl Who Would be Free” for my granddaughter. That one is a amazing too!!

[@itsmichaelmai]

​ @Andrea Glass Thats a lovely idea, I would like to do the same with kids in my family as well, how did they like it? :)

[@andreaglass2950]

@@itsmichaelmai I’m not really sure! They are 1, 3, and 7☺️. I read both to my 4th graders before I wrapped them, and they enjoyed both. Great discussions.

[@itsmichaelmai]

@@andreaglass2950 Maybe this seed that you planted now will enventually grow into them being real little Stoics themselves some years from now 😄

[@robertburnett6348]

Being present...I understand. But so difficult not to think of things I want to do. But a lowered income this month might make me stoi

[@user-dj4mb6ug8k]

Hi ryan, I am wondering if there's stoic wisdom on having goals and hope and reason to live. I'm struggling right now because I'm not interested in the things life has to offer. I'm wondering if you have any advice for someone who feels no hope or drive, who has given up on themselves and on life.

[@brendansimon1]

“Don’t borrow suffering from the future.”

[@PrometheusMonk]

Eudaimonia means 'the happiness of the Daimon.' It refers to following the guidance of your Daimon, like the way Socrates listened to his own conscience that always told him when he should refrain from doing something.

[@seanfromtheyukon]

Listened 02.02.23

[@Quizzical_nonsense]

It's a lot about what you put your attention to

[@raygreen5926]

By endurance we conquer....Ernest Shackleton/ polar explorer 🇮🇪☘🇬🇧

[@DavidLiraOfficial]

I love this video, I watch it once a week Atleast … it’s when you realize you’re in a fight with that lower monkey brain of ours, that we get to make the choice to step up and actually be the person philosophy is wrestling with our lower self to allow us to become. That’s the purpose of life, for me.

[@Dillu441]

Donald Robertson's "The philosophy of cognitive-behavioural therapy" is strongly recommended reading in topic of stoicism as psychotherapy.

[@DeGoya]

is it counterintuitive to listen to music while taking a stroll?

[@MrMisuma]

How do I know, if I’m being in the moment?

[@janelperez9726]

Confirm it.

[@LucieBeatrix]

ODAAT !!!!

[@jenXgen8589]

Any "best book" to buy on this? Recommendations please?

[@itsmichaelmai]

How to be a Stoic or The Daily Stoic

[@numonkhonabdukarimov4314]

1. Take a walk 2. Live with virtue - happiness is complement of right life and right decisions 3. Be present - moment is enough, not to wish future or past. 4. Make good choises - if you want to be beautiful, make beautiful choises 5. Dont imagine troubles - Dont suffer unnecessarily about future, present or past. 6. Dont get distracted - what are you doing, why are you doing it? 7. Fight to be a person that philosophy wants you to be - fight for yourself, strive to be closer to better self

[@ands1894]

0:32 There’s nothing “lucky enough” in life. I’m sure you slowly, steadily, and strategically built your “luck” over time where you were discovered and invited to speak about stoicism in the 21st century and/or sent out several letters of intent/proposals before finally getting your foot in the door. It would be interesting and informative if you could spill the beans on how you went about getting invited to speak at these high-profile events.

[@antonides-official]

where is this video recorded?