Like millions of others who are self-isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Phil has been sequestering at home with his wife, Robin. And while the studio where Dr. Phil is produced is currently shuttered, he’s been recording new episodes remotely from his kitchen table.

TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: How has the coronavirus changed your life?

On Tuesday, Dr. Phil is joined via video conference by psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist, Dr. Daniel Amen. The pair discuss mental health hygiene, staying connected, and some of the steps everyone can take to stave off stress, anxiety, and depression while remaining safer at home.

WATCH: Psychiatrist Says Writing Down Negative Thoughts Helps To Get Them Out Of Your Head

“We need to do things on a regular basis to calm our amygdala,” says Dr. Amen, referencing the part of the brain responsible for fear and anxiety. He recommends a specific breathing exercise to reduce the reaction. “And what it is: Three seconds in – deep breath – and then six seconds out. So, taking twice as long to exhale as you inhale actually will trigger a relaxation response.”

Watch the video above for more tips on how to remain calm during the crisis. Plus, find out why Dr. Amen says, “When you become helpful, things are less terrible.”

Check here to find out where you can watch Tuesday’s episode.


For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov.

Dr. Danial Amen is the author of “The End of Mental Illness: How Neuroscience Is Transforming Psychiatry and Helping Prevent or Reverse Mood and Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Addictions, PTSD, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, and More. Available wherever books are sold.

TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: At your final breaking point?