Wellness Podcast

In this episode, I talk about the different ways walking can help you (think/calm down/feel grounded when stressed or anxious, etc.) and how a walk can be short or long, slow or fast, and how it is a great way to help those who may be starting a stressful time now (finals, holidays, whatever). Action item: go for a walk!

In this episode, I define "nerding out" (using my own vast experience of being a nerd for basically my entire life), I give some examples from my own life (and an awesome example from my mom), and talk about why "nerding out" is good for your mental health. Hint: it has to do with connection!

In this episode, I talk about the definition of success that I grew up with, which focused on money, power and stuff, I talk about how I think the definition of success (at least for some people) is changing, ever so slowly, and what my own definition of success is for me (having meaning in my life, love and kindness). Action item: make a list of a couple of things that define success for you and put them on a post-it note on your laptop (or notebook, or wherever) to refer back to!

This week, I talk about how to get back on track when you get derailed from your plans/schedule. 4 quick tips 1) Accept your situation 2) Make changes/drop things/figure out what you NEED to do now and what can wait until later 3) Enjoy as much as you can what you DO have rather than wishing for what cannot be and 4) promise yourself you will get back on track next week! Action item: Next time you get derailed, instead of panicking, come back here for Steps 1-4! I also mention James Clear's book, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, and Raya and the Last Dragon, which is an awesome movie that I recommend even for adults :)

In this episode, I talk about 6 ways to tackle the holidays this year so that they are less stressful and MAYBE more fun?: 1) create a brain dump of all the things you need to do 2) edit it 3) edit it again (based on, do you really need/want to do each thing or does someone else you care about really need/want you to do that thing 4) delegate what you can 5) start now! and 6) try to change what you can now to make things easier on yourself- give everyone 1 thing that is "theirs" and realize that you don't have to do all the things every year just because you did them last year/for the past 15 years. Action item: start ideas brain dump ASAP!

I know this is a tough one, but I talk about 4 things that could be happening to someone we perceive to be lazy (or to you, if others perceive you to be lazy). 1) Procrastinating perfectionists, 2) just effing tired/overworked and need a break/nap/coffee 3) dealing with mental health issues/anxiety/life issues 4) prioritizing other things. Action item: the next time you come across a "lazy" person in your life, try to think about/poke around and ask questions to see (if relevant) if that person fits any of these categories or could use some help, maybe. Or at least, give them the benefit of the doubt.

In this episode, I talk about how we are often taught (especially those of us who are women or grew up/were socialized as women) that self care is selfish and that we should put others' needs in front of our own, when really that's not true. One way to help us break out of this is to talk to ourselves like we would talk to our friends. I also discuss What is self care and 2 tests of if something is self care for you- 1) do it on purpose (not to procrastinate) and 2) see how you feel afterward.

In this episode, I talk about how, despite our best efforts, sometimes we just need to push hard to finish a big project or a bunch of school assignments or whatever. I give 5 specific ways that we can make this process less stressful/scary and less hard on our bodies/mental health as well.

In this episode, I talk about how you won't actually feel happier "when" you get that first job, graduate, or get married/have a kid. Your "real" life is now, and so this means that you need to take care of yourself as if your real life is happening now, not later, "when..." I give examples from momming and tenure and also college students and "pushing through" extra busy times (which I think is also important but shouldn't be the plan/our whole lives). I also talk about how you won't feel awful forever when something awful (inevitably) happens to you- thanks to a Happiness Lab podcast from Dr. Laurie Santos. Action item: think about this: if your "real life" is happening right now, what would you do differently than if you were just waiting for your real life to start?

This week, I talk about 5 ways that we can work smarter, not harder, to be more like the people in Denmark! In Denmark (according to the Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos), people work less but are more productive, leave work to pick up their kids, and also do not consider those who work extra hours to be "go getters" but believe that such people have trouble with time management! Action item: Pick one of the 5 ways to work smarter, not harder, and try it out this week!