If you’re ever in need of some advice, or just something to relate to, TED Talks have been a super helpful solution. We all go through various experiences and just hearing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. There’s a TED Talk for everything, I swear, and here are some of my favorites.
1. The one where you get the motivation to go work out:
“The Brain Changing Benefits of Exercise”
Wendy Suzuki talks about the brain changing benefits of exercise. “Better mood, better energy, better memory, better attention. And the more I learned, the more I realized how powerful exercise was.”
2. The one where you get over a breakup:
Guy Winch offers some much needed relationship advice that ANYONE dealing with a breakup needs to hear. “Your mind will try to tell you they were perfect. But they were not, and neither was the relationship. And if you want to get over them, you have to remind yourself of that, frequently… Getting over heartbreak is hard, but if you refuse to be misled by your mind and you take steps to heal, you can significantly minimize your suffering.”
3. The one where you learn how to manage your stress:
“How to Make Stress Your Friend”
Kelly McGonigal delivers one of my favorite TED talks, how to reduce stress. “When you choose to view your stress response as helpful, you create the biology of courage. And when you choose to connect with others under stress, you can create resilience.”
4. The one where you learn that anything is possible… even after dislocating your sternum:
“My Journey from Marine to Actor”
Adam Driver is one of my all-time favorite actors. If you don’t know the story of Adam Driver (aka Kylo Ren from the new “Star Wars” movies), then here’s your chance. Adam joined the Marines after 9/11, dislocated his sternum, got medically discharged, went to Juliard, and bad-a-boom turned into Kylo Ren.
“The military and theater communities are actually very similar. You have a group of people trying to accomplish a mission greater than themselves; it’s not about you. You have a role, you have to know your role within that team. Every team has a leader or director; sometimes they’re smart, sometimes they’re not.“
5. And finally, the one that you want to watch because it’s BASICALLY you and your BFF:
“A Hilarious Celebration of Lifelong Female Friendships”
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, your favorite gal-pals, give you an insight on female friendships.
“The Harvard Medical School study has shown that women who have close female friendships are less likely to develop impairments — physical impairments as they age, and they are likely to be seen to be living much more vital, exciting, and longer.”
Hopefully one of these was as helpful for you as they were for me. If not, don’t worry, there’s a part 2!