This Might Get Uncomfortable

The seventh session of the Well-Being Beyond Measure series focuses on the implications of social media and technology. Whitney explores the effects of social media burnout, mental health impacts, addiction to the constant infusion of content, 'Influencer Creep', and the subconscious challenge of always striving to do more. Drawing from published articles and studies, she emphasizes the strategic psychological designs of these platforms and their potential to incite polarity and unrest. The importance of understanding the platforms, setting solid boundaries, and diligent introspection of one's behavior while using social media is advised. Whitney advocates for personal authenticity and selective attention to elements that bring individual joy and meaning, prolonging wellbeing beyond numerical measures or social media validations.

Resources mentioned:

• Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now: https://amzn.to/4336fs4
• Your Guide to Creating a Healthier Relationship with Social Media: https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health?cmid=23304fe5-b3ae-4884-931a-0902fa32188d
• The social media diet: A scoping review to investigate the association between social media, body image and eating disorders amongst young people: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0001091
• Social media polarized America by making a big mistake: It introduced us to each other: https://www.businessinsider.com/social-media-twitter-facebook-political-polarization-mechanism-2022-10
• Influencer Creep: https://reallifemag.com/influencer-creep/

04:23 The Magic and Loss of Digital World

05:15 Whitney's Personal Journey with Social Media

07:00 Understanding the Mechanism of Social Media

09:08 The Dark Side

09:47 The Influence on Body Image

11:14 Social Media Addiction

15:50 The Polarizing Effect of Social Media

17:38 The Impact on Career and Self-Esteem

19:52 The Decision to Step Away

30:59 The Power of Selective Attention

The sixth session of the Well-Being Beyond Measure series focuses on understanding different methods and styles of communication. Whitney discusses passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication, and explores the challenges with each. She encourages listeners to understand their unique communication style and offers ways to improve empathy and open-mindedness. Specific advice and resources are provided for shifting towards assertive communication.

Resources and people mentioned:

• Princeton University
• How loneliness changes the way our brains process the world
• People Aren’t Meant to Talk This Much
• How to Use Assertive Communication (Very Well Mind)
• The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
• The Assertiveness Workbook

01:05 Understanding the Importance of Communication

02:24 Exploring Different Aspects of Communication

04:01 The Role of Empathy

04:44 The Impact of Loneliness

10:26 The Influence of Social Media

22:02 Understanding Different Communication Styles

26:31 The Power of Assertive Communication

28:28 Personal Reflections

The fifth session of the Well-Being Beyond Measure series delves into the importance of self-compassion. Whitney offers an honest account of her struggles with perfectionism, self-loathing, stress, and career transition. She discusses the critical nature of self-acknowledgement and positive self-perception, sharing psychological studies that validate the benefits of gratitude. Whitney suggests that the cultivation of self-compassion is an inner job through practices like yoga, positive self-talk, trying new things, and expressing gratitude. She encourages listeners to treat self-love, understanding, and acceptance as proactive roles in their lives.

Resources and people mentioned:

• Princeton University tips
• further.net
• health.harvard.edu: Giving thanks can make you happier
• Heather Havrilesky/Ask Polly
• Wil Schroter
• Laurie Penny

01:35 Exploring the Topic of Self Compassion

02:08 Personal Experiences with Discomfort

04:21 The Impact of New Work and Identity Questions

11:42 The Struggle with Self Loathing and the Need for Self Compassion

16:30 The Power of Gratitude and Self Esteem

The fourth session of the Well-Being Beyond Measure series centers on understanding and managing stress. Whitney shares her personal experiences with stress, burnout, and learning to prioritize wellbeing. She discusses different techniques for handling stress, like distraction, mindfulness, meditation, self-affirmation, and resilience-building exercises. Whitney emphasizes the need to re-evaluate work commitments, downshift, and prioritize rest as crucial steps towards a less stressful lifestyle. Dealing with stress is an ongoing journey, which highlights the importance of connecting with others as a form of support and reminder of shared experiences.

Resources mentioned:

• How to feel less stressed
• Princeton University tips
• Washington Post
• Positive Psychology Resilience Exercises
• Slow Movement downshifting
• Therapy Takeaway Substack

02:19 Dealing with Stress and the Decision to Continue

02:42 The Importance of Integrity and Self-Care

03:26 The Reality of Stress and the Misconception of Perfection

05:19 Different Types of Stress and Their Impact

05:59 The Struggle with Stressful Work Situations

07:54 The Role of Resiliency in Stress Management

08:06 The Concept of Downshifting and Prioritizing Rest

08:22 Exploring Stress Management Techniques

09:44 The Importance of Distraction and Mindfulness

In the third session of the Well-being Beyond Measure series, Whitney takes you on an introspective journey exploring strengths, values, and personal growth, with exercises and reflections to gain clarity and self-understanding. She emphasizes the significance of starting despite uncertainties and encourages active participation in this self-discovery process. The episode is a blend of personal insights, practical exercises, and motivational guidance, perfect for those looking to deepen their self-awareness and well-being practices.

02:42 The Importance of Trying New Things

03:40 The Vision Board Exercise and Its Impact

06:53 Exploring Strengths and Values

14:25 The Role of Strengths in Personal Wellbeing

19:37 Understanding and Defining Personal Values

25:21 Living in Alignment with Your Values

Resources & References:

1. Vision Board Kit (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/47ZMFxN
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202111/what-are-your-values
3. https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/core-values.html

Get free access and join live sessions of Well-Being Beyond Measure (and the Beyond Measure community) here: https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure

In the second session of the Well-being Beyond Measure series, Whitney explores the theme of redefining personal goals and mindfulness. This episode invites listeners to challenge traditional goal-setting norms and embrace a more personalized approach to wellness. With a focus on mindfulness practices and understanding one's unique life transitions, Whitney guides through reflective exercises and breathwork. The session is designed to empower listeners in their journey towards mental, emotional, and physical well-being, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment found in living a life aligned with personal purpose and presence.

00:23 Exploring the Concept of Wellbeing

02:04 Building Upon Awareness

02:17 The Challenge of Terminology

02:57 The Importance of Clarity

04:17 The Concept of Goal Setting

05:35 The Power of Presence

06:18 The Pressure of Having Goals

08:45 Defining and Understanding Goals

19:19 Journaling Activity: Understanding Your Goals

30:43 Measuring Progress Towards Goals

Get free access and join live sessions of Well-Being Beyond Measure (and the Beyond Measure community) here: https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure

The first session of the Well-being Beyond Measure series focused on self-awareness. Whitey delves deep into the realms of self-care and personal growth, emphasizing the uniqueness of individual experiences. Through a blend of reflective exercises, breathwork, and community insights, listeners are encouraged to explore their own paths towards wellness. Join us as we navigate the nuances of nurturing our mental, emotional, and physical health, in pursuit of a life that is truly beyond measure in its fulfillment and joy.

00:39 The Importance of Community in Wellbeing

02:52 Building a Foundation of Self-Care Through Awareness

04:21 The Importance of Individual Experience in Wellness Advice

05:06 The Concept of Worthiness

05:48 The Role of Discomfort in Personal Growth

06:45 The Lifelong Journey of Wellness

17:12 The Power of Breathwork in Enhancing Wellness

23:29 Journaling for Clarity and Focus

Get free access and join live sessions of Well-Being Beyond Measure (and the Beyond Measure community) here: https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure

Join Whitney Lauritsen in a profound conversation with Arwinder "Arwi" Kaur as she navigates the complexities of modern life, technology, and environmental consciousness. Arwi delves into the implications of technology on our daily lives and the struggle to maintain balance between advancement and ecological responsibility. They explore the impact of travel on global awareness, culture shock, and various standards of living. Arwi also touches on sensitive topics like childlessness by choice, social responsibility, and the interconnectedness of humans. This episode is a deep dive into understanding personal choices, societal expectations, and their collective impact on the planet.

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• https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure

Join Whitney in her inaugural recording of Well-Being Beyond Measure, a free program. She navigates through the concept of well-being, questioning traditional ideas about figuring everything out. She emphasizes the ongoing process of emotional wellness and the value of community in personal growth. This introductory session is a journey of self-discovery, embracing the messiness of life, and exploring diverse wellness topics through interactive sessions.

Get free access and join live sessions of Well-Being Beyond Measure (and the Beyond Measure community) here: https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure

Previous episode about Well-Being Beyond Measure: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-being-in-uncertain-times/id1491549122?i=1000640418412

How to keep house while drowning book: https://bookshop.org/a/17878/9781668002841

Whitney introduces a new podcast format and project called "Well-Being Beyond Measure," exploring the intersections of self-care, learning, and community engagement. She also reflects on her journey into 2024, discussing her shift away from New Year's resolutions and into a more introspective, mindful approach to life. She shares insights about balancing a heavy workload, managing a podcast, and navigating the complexities of limited bandwidth and energy. Listen in as Whitney dives into her challenges with live podcasting, the intricacies of guesting, and her evolving perspective on success.

Get free access to Well-Being Beyond Measure (and the Beyond Measure community) here: https://podcast.wellevatr.com/beyond-measure