TED Talks

TED is a global community sharing ideas from a variety of disciplines. There are a number of TED talks that we recommend to offer you a new perspective on self-care, and/or perhaps not feel so alone with what you are struggling with or facing. You can watch these online or via the TED app.

All descriptions below are taken from the TedTalk official website.

 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – The danger of a single story

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED Talk

 

Thomas Curran – Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse

Social psychologist Thomas Curran explores how the pressure to be perfect -- in our social media feeds, in school, at work -- is driving a rise in mental illness, especially among young people. Learn more about the causes of this phenomenon and how we can create a culture that celebrates the joys of imperfection.

Thomas Curran: Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse | TED Talk

 

Johann Hari – This could be why you’re depressed or anxious

In a moving talk, journalist Johann Hari shares fresh insights on the causes of depression and anxiety from experts around the world -- as well as some exciting emerging solutions. "If you're depressed or anxious, you're not weak and you're not crazy -- you're a human being with unmet needs," Hari says.

Johann Hari: This could be why you're depressed or anxious | TED Talk

 

Katie Hood -  The difference between health and unhealthy love

In a talk about understanding and practicing the art of healthy relationships, Katie Hood reveals the five signs you might be in an unhealthy relationship -- with a romantic partner, a friend, a family member -- and shares the things you can do every day to love with respect, kindness and joy. "While love is an instinct and an emotion, the ability to love better is a skill we can all build and improve on over time," she says.

Katie Hood: The difference between healthy and unhealthy love | TED Talk

 

Jia Jang – What I learned form 100 days of rejection

Jia Jiang adventures boldly into a territory so many of us fear: rejection. By seeking out rejection for 100 days -- from asking a stranger to borrow $100 to requesting a "burger refill" at a restaurant -- Jiang desensitized himself to the pain and shame that rejection often brings and, in the process, discovered that simply asking for what you want can open up possibilities where you expect to find dead ends.

Jia Jiang: What I learned from 100 days of rejection | TED Talk

 

Nora McInerny – We don’t “move on” from grief; we move forward with it.

In a talk that is both heart-breaking and hilarious, writer and podcaster Nora McInerny shares her hard-earned wisdom about life and death. Her candid approach to something that will, let's face it, affect us all, is as liberating as it is gut-wrenching. Most powerfully, she encourages us to shift how we approach grief. "A grieving person is going to laugh again and smile again," she says. "They're going to move forward. But that doesn't mean that they've moved on."

Nora McInerny: We don't "move on" from grief. We move forward with it | TED Talk

 

Bailey Parnell – Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health (TedX Ryerson University, Toronto)

Scrolling through our social media feeds feels like a harmless part of our daily lives. But is it actually as harmless at seems? According to social media expert Bailey Parnell, our growing and unchecked obsession with social media has unintended long term consequences on our mental health. As social media continues to become part of the fabric of modern life – the “digital layer” – abstinence is becoming less of an option. Bailey think it’s high time we learned to practice safe social before it’s too late. What are the common triggers? How are they affecting you over time? How can you create a more positive experience online? Bailey covers this and more in “Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health?”

Is social media hurting your mental health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU - YouTube

 

Tim Urban  - Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator | TED Talk

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