Dr. Caroline Leaf
@drcarolineleaf.bsky.social
🧠 Helping you learn how to master Neuroplasticity to find peace
🎧 Host of The Dr. Leaf Show
📘 New book ‘Help in a Hurry’ out Aug 5
🎧 Host of The Dr. Leaf Show
📘 New book ‘Help in a Hurry’ out Aug 5
The youth mental health crisis isn't just pointing to a problem.
It's pointing us toward the solution.
And it's simpler than anyone expected.
It's pointing us toward the solution.
And it's simpler than anyone expected.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The youth mental health crisis isn't just pointing to a problem.
It's pointing us toward the solution.
And it's simpler than anyone expected.
It's pointing us toward the solution.
And it's simpler than anyone expected.
What if instead of adding more restrictions, we gave back what we took away?
What if the "treatment" isn't another program but simply letting kids be kids again?
The neuroscience is clear: developing brains NEED what we've removed.
What if the "treatment" isn't another program but simply letting kids be kids again?
The neuroscience is clear: developing brains NEED what we've removed.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
What if instead of adding more restrictions, we gave back what we took away?
What if the "treatment" isn't another program but simply letting kids be kids again?
The neuroscience is clear: developing brains NEED what we've removed.
What if the "treatment" isn't another program but simply letting kids be kids again?
The neuroscience is clear: developing brains NEED what we've removed.
The same factors that created this crisis also show us the SOLUTION.
When we understand how young minds are designed to grow...
The path forward becomes surprisingly clear.
It's not about managing symptoms.
It's about restoring natural development.
When we understand how young minds are designed to grow...
The path forward becomes surprisingly clear.
It's not about managing symptoms.
It's about restoring natural development.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The same factors that created this crisis also show us the SOLUTION.
When we understand how young minds are designed to grow...
The path forward becomes surprisingly clear.
It's not about managing symptoms.
It's about restoring natural development.
When we understand how young minds are designed to grow...
The path forward becomes surprisingly clear.
It's not about managing symptoms.
It's about restoring natural development.
We've created a generation that's never been allowed to develop natural RESILIENCE.
Every challenge is managed by adults.
Every risk is eliminated.
Every moment is supervised.
The result? Brains that can't handle normal stress.
Every challenge is managed by adults.
Every risk is eliminated.
Every moment is supervised.
The result? Brains that can't handle normal stress.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
We've created a generation that's never been allowed to develop natural RESILIENCE.
Every challenge is managed by adults.
Every risk is eliminated.
Every moment is supervised.
The result? Brains that can't handle normal stress.
Every challenge is managed by adults.
Every risk is eliminated.
Every moment is supervised.
The result? Brains that can't handle normal stress.
Young brains are DESIGNED to learn through:
- Self-directed discovery
- Risk assessment
- Natural consequences
- Peer interaction without adult mediation
- Connection with the physical world
- Self-directed discovery
- Risk assessment
- Natural consequences
- Peer interaction without adult mediation
- Connection with the physical world
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Young brains are DESIGNED to learn through:
- Self-directed discovery
- Risk assessment
- Natural consequences
- Peer interaction without adult mediation
- Connection with the physical world
- Self-directed discovery
- Risk assessment
- Natural consequences
- Peer interaction without adult mediation
- Connection with the physical world
Think about it...
When did kids stop having hours of unsupervised outdoor time?
When did every moment become scheduled and monitored?
When did natural exploration get replaced with structured activities?
When did kids stop having hours of unsupervised outdoor time?
When did every moment become scheduled and monitored?
When did natural exploration get replaced with structured activities?
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Think about it...
When did kids stop having hours of unsupervised outdoor time?
When did every moment become scheduled and monitored?
When did natural exploration get replaced with structured activities?
When did kids stop having hours of unsupervised outdoor time?
When did every moment become scheduled and monitored?
When did natural exploration get replaced with structured activities?
The missing element is so basic that most adults take it for granted.
FREE PLAY.
Unstructured exploration.
Time away from constant adult supervision.
This absence is literally REWIRING developing brains.
FREE PLAY.
Unstructured exploration.
Time away from constant adult supervision.
This absence is literally REWIRING developing brains.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The missing element is so basic that most adults take it for granted.
FREE PLAY.
Unstructured exploration.
Time away from constant adult supervision.
This absence is literally REWIRING developing brains.
FREE PLAY.
Unstructured exploration.
Time away from constant adult supervision.
This absence is literally REWIRING developing brains.
We're medicating symptoms while the real problem grows stronger.
More therapy sessions.
More medications.
More restrictions.
But we're treating the WRONG problem entirely.
More therapy sessions.
More medications.
More restrictions.
But we're treating the WRONG problem entirely.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
We're medicating symptoms while the real problem grows stronger.
More therapy sessions.
More medications.
More restrictions.
But we're treating the WRONG problem entirely.
More therapy sessions.
More medications.
More restrictions.
But we're treating the WRONG problem entirely.
60% of teen girls report feeling "persistently sad and hopeless."
Suicide rates for ages 10-24 jumped 62% since 2007.
The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it a "national EMERGENCY."
Yet our solutions keep missing the mark.
Suicide rates for ages 10-24 jumped 62% since 2007.
The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it a "national EMERGENCY."
Yet our solutions keep missing the mark.
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
60% of teen girls report feeling "persistently sad and hopeless."
Suicide rates for ages 10-24 jumped 62% since 2007.
The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it a "national EMERGENCY."
Yet our solutions keep missing the mark.
Suicide rates for ages 10-24 jumped 62% since 2007.
The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it a "national EMERGENCY."
Yet our solutions keep missing the mark.
8/8 I hope you've found this thread helpful.
Follow me @DrCarolineLeaf for more.
Like/Repost the quote below if you can:
Follow me @DrCarolineLeaf for more.
Like/Repost the quote below if you can:
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
8/8 I hope you've found this thread helpful.
Follow me @DrCarolineLeaf for more.
Like/Repost the quote below if you can:
Follow me @DrCarolineLeaf for more.
Like/Repost the quote below if you can:
7/8 If you want more science-backed mental health tools like this…
📘 My new book Help in a Hurry drops August 5.
go to helpinahurrybook. com to get $900 in bonuses.
#Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalWellness #SleepScience #Naps #HealthOptimization #HelpInAHurry
📘 My new book Help in a Hurry drops August 5.
go to helpinahurrybook. com to get $900 in bonuses.
#Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalWellness #SleepScience #Naps #HealthOptimization #HelpInAHurry
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
7/8 If you want more science-backed mental health tools like this…
📘 My new book Help in a Hurry drops August 5.
go to helpinahurrybook. com to get $900 in bonuses.
#Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalWellness #SleepScience #Naps #HealthOptimization #HelpInAHurry
📘 My new book Help in a Hurry drops August 5.
go to helpinahurrybook. com to get $900 in bonuses.
#Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalWellness #SleepScience #Naps #HealthOptimization #HelpInAHurry
6/8 😴 TL;DR:
A short nap isn’t laziness.
It’s brain maintenance.
It’s cognitive insurance.
It’s smart.
A short nap isn’t laziness.
It’s brain maintenance.
It’s cognitive insurance.
It’s smart.
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
6/8 😴 TL;DR:
A short nap isn’t laziness.
It’s brain maintenance.
It’s cognitive insurance.
It’s smart.
A short nap isn’t laziness.
It’s brain maintenance.
It’s cognitive insurance.
It’s smart.
5/8 ⚖️ They balance the nervous system
Well-timed naps improve performance without disrupting your night sleep.
Well-timed naps improve performance without disrupting your night sleep.
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
5/8 ⚖️ They balance the nervous system
Well-timed naps improve performance without disrupting your night sleep.
Well-timed naps improve performance without disrupting your night sleep.
4/8 💡 Napping boosts memory + clarity
When night sleep isn’t enough, naps support learning, focus, and emotional regulation.
When night sleep isn’t enough, naps support learning, focus, and emotional regulation.
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
4/8 💡 Napping boosts memory + clarity
When night sleep isn’t enough, naps support learning, focus, and emotional regulation.
When night sleep isn’t enough, naps support learning, focus, and emotional regulation.
3/8 🛏️ Naps trigger slow-wave sleep, which flushes toxins from the brain
This deep-cleaning phase helps prevent long-term cognitive decline.
This deep-cleaning phase helps prevent long-term cognitive decline.
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
3/8 🛏️ Naps trigger slow-wave sleep, which flushes toxins from the brain
This deep-cleaning phase helps prevent long-term cognitive decline.
This deep-cleaning phase helps prevent long-term cognitive decline.
2/8 🧠 Frequent nappers have 15.8 cm³ more brain volume
That’s real, measurable brain preservation — not fluff.
Think of it like saving brain “real estate” over time.
That’s real, measurable brain preservation — not fluff.
Think of it like saving brain “real estate” over time.
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
2/8 🧠 Frequent nappers have 15.8 cm³ more brain volume
That’s real, measurable brain preservation — not fluff.
Think of it like saving brain “real estate” over time.
That’s real, measurable brain preservation — not fluff.
Think of it like saving brain “real estate” over time.
1/8 🧬 Naps slow brain aging by up to 6.5 years
People genetically inclined to nap show significantly younger brain patterns.
(Sleep Health, UK Biobank, 2023)
People genetically inclined to nap show significantly younger brain patterns.
(Sleep Health, UK Biobank, 2023)
June 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
1/8 🧬 Naps slow brain aging by up to 6.5 years
People genetically inclined to nap show significantly younger brain patterns.
(Sleep Health, UK Biobank, 2023)
People genetically inclined to nap show significantly younger brain patterns.
(Sleep Health, UK Biobank, 2023)
I’ll go first: YES. Still going. Even when it’s quiet.
I used to think progress meant recognition. Lately, I think it just means refusing to stop.
What keeps you going lately?
I used to think progress meant recognition. Lately, I think it just means refusing to stop.
What keeps you going lately?
April 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I’ll go first: YES. Still going. Even when it’s quiet.
I used to think progress meant recognition. Lately, I think it just means refusing to stop.
What keeps you going lately?
I used to think progress meant recognition. Lately, I think it just means refusing to stop.
What keeps you going lately?
I wrote a book for moments like this.
📘 Help in a Hurry is your toolkit for calming your mind, regulating your nervous system, and thinking clearly—even when everything feels loud.
Comment “BOOK” to pre-order and get over $900 in free bonuses.
I’ll DM you the link.
🧵 9/9
📘 Help in a Hurry is your toolkit for calming your mind, regulating your nervous system, and thinking clearly—even when everything feels loud.
Comment “BOOK” to pre-order and get over $900 in free bonuses.
I’ll DM you the link.
🧵 9/9
April 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I wrote a book for moments like this.
📘 Help in a Hurry is your toolkit for calming your mind, regulating your nervous system, and thinking clearly—even when everything feels loud.
Comment “BOOK” to pre-order and get over $900 in free bonuses.
I’ll DM you the link.
🧵 9/9
📘 Help in a Hurry is your toolkit for calming your mind, regulating your nervous system, and thinking clearly—even when everything feels loud.
Comment “BOOK” to pre-order and get over $900 in free bonuses.
I’ll DM you the link.
🧵 9/9