95: Dr. Jyothsna Bhat - Relationships: The "Secret Sauce" of Mental Health
This episode explores one of the most overlooked drivers of mental health: the quality of our relationships. With a former Surgeon General warning that chronic loneliness can impact the body the same way as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day, the stakes have never been higher. So it felt fitting to sit down with someone who has been a guiding voice in this space since the earliest days of this podcast: Dr. Jyothsna Bhat.
Jyothsna S. Bhat, Psy.D. CMIP is a clinical psychologist, writer, and one of the most respected voices in South Asian mental health. She writes a monthly column for Psychology Today that explores cultural nuance, family dynamics, and emotional well-being. Jyothsna was also the first official guest of Untether Your Life when we launched in early 2022. And in a full-circle moment, she and I originally met nearly thirty years ago as undergrads at Washington University in St. Louis before reconnecting in 2022 through her writing.
We touched on so many topics in this discussion, including:
- Why relationship quality acts like medicine, and how loneliness can silently erode mental and physical health.
- The emotional load carried by caregivers, and simple ways they can protect their well-being without abandoning the people they love.
- Cultural dynamics in South Asian families, and how shame, comparison, and unspoken expectations shape empathy and boundaries.
- The art of asking for space, why it is not rejection, and how creating a healing bubble can accelerate recovery.
- The importance of curating your inputs, including Jim Rohn’s reminder to “stand guard at the door of your mind.”
- Social media as a tool rather than a trap, and how to find your tribe instead of feeding comparison.
- The enduring impact of a single supportive relationship, including how Shelly helped me reconnect with my core essence during a difficult season.
- Practical ways to choose quality over quantity, bring a trusted ally into challenging social situations, and rebuild community with intention.
To connect with Dr. Bhat and learn more about her writing, clinical work, and advocacy, visit her Psychology Today profile or connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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