In the TEDxSurrey talk titled “Are your coping mechanisms healthy?” by Dr. Andrew Miki, the audience is taken on a journey exploring the connection between a pigeon’s ability to count and human mental health. Dr. Miki shares his experience of teaching pigeons to count using shaping, a process that creates strong connections in the brain over time. Drawing parallels between pigeons and humans, he explains how coping mechanisms can become ingrained habits that may not always be helpful for mental health.
Dr. Miki emphasizes the importance of recognizing and unlearning unhelpful coping mechanisms to improve mental health. He shares personal anecdotes, including his parenting approach with his daughter Natalia, to illustrate how building self-confidence and resilience can combat anxiety and depression. By encouraging open conversations about mental health and self-reflection, Dr. Miki challenges individuals to identify their own patterns of behavior and take steps towards positive change.
Ultimately, the talk highlights the power of self-awareness and the potential for creating new, healthier coping strategies to foster mental well-being.
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Author Video Description
Dr. Andrew Miki explores the intriguing connection between pigeons’ learned behaviors and human mental health. Drawing on his experience in animal cognition, he reveals how our brains, like pigeons, reinforce coping mechanisms over time. Dr. Miki sheds light on counterproductive common coping habits such as procrastination and smartphone reliance, emphasizing their impact on anxiety and depression.
Through personal anecdotes, including his role as a father, he highlights the importance of developing self-confidence to combat mental health challenges. The talk encourages viewers to reflect on their coping mechanisms, fostering a dialogue about mental health, and inspiring a journey toward unlearning unhealthy habits for improved well-being.
Dr. Andrew Miki, a registered psychologist in BC, brings over 25 years of expertise in neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to enhance the lives of those grappling with stress, anxiety, and depression. Founder of Starling Minds™ in 2013, he pioneers digital mental health, reducing stigma and offering personalized support to over 4.5 million individuals. Holding degrees from prestigious institutions, including Queen’s University and York University, his clinical work and research feature in prominent scientific journals and publications like Forbes and Authority Magazine. Dr. Miki is dedicated to applying his knowledge to empower people for healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
About TEDxTalks
TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Are your coping mechanisms healthy? | Dr. Andrew Miki | TEDxSurrey” was uploaded on 05/11/2024 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks