EP 87: The Power of Gratitude to Lower Your Stress

A couple of nights ago I was having trouble falling asleep. Just as I started worrying "Oh, no. What if I lay here awake for hours?", I remembered a suggestion from my physician.

It's literally a life-changing strategy that helps your sleep, PLUS your relationships, lowers your stress, increases your joy and work satisfaction, and improves your brain health.

You ready for it?
It's gratitude.

In this episode learn the exciting research on how gratitude benefits your body and your brain. And, most important, discover 10 unique gratitude practices that you can test for yourself.

You want to practice gratitude, and the reason you may have struggled to do so is that you have not yet found a version that resonates with you. Look no further. You will discover it in this episode.

EP 78: The Connection Cure - How Relationships Help Your Health

Picture this: You go out with a couple of friends over the weekend and have a ton of fun.

Then on Monday you're at your doc's office. You get a great report and your doc says "Whatever you're doing, keep it up."

Believe it or not, the two are related. In this episode you'll learn the research about how relationships impact your wellness and three creative tools I've found to help you grow and deepen your friendships. The goal may be fun ... the bonus is a healthy body.

Here are the resources I mention in the podcast -
https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/

https://harveymackay.com/books/

https://www.letsroam.com/adventure_book/scratch_off_family_book

EP 77: Get Your Best Sleep - 3 Pro Tips

If you've been struggling to catch your zzz's, you're not alone.  About 60 million people, just in the U.S., don't get enough sleep.  Either because they stay up late, trying to cram in more activity -- or they go to bed, only to toss and turn.

I used to be one of them, too.

In this episode here's what you will discover ...
- Three easy tips to improve the quantity and quality of your sleep
- Why one bad night's sleep can lead to a streak of sleep-deprived days
- A simple microcommitment you can start TONIGHT for an instant sleep upgrade.

EP 70: The Best Planners to Master Your Wellness and Productivity

Compare the top paper planners for both productivity, and how they stack up toward helping you reach your wellness goals. Because your wellness is the foundation of your productivity.

Listen to a review of the Franklin Planner, Erin Condren, Full Focus, and some special planners from Etsy stores. Plus, how to decide what wellness goals you even need to plan and track in your planner

https://www.thevireolife.com/podcast/2023/12/15/ep-68-the-best-wellness-and-productivity-apps-to-use-now

https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/planner

https://store.franklinplanner.com/planners/classic-planners-5.5-x-8.5/

https://www.erincondren.com/champagne-a5-daily-lifeplanner-ring-agenda

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInspiredStories

EP 42: Sweet Escape - The Links between Stress-Diets-and-Food

How does stress and cortisol impact your craving for pasta, cookies, and other comfort food?

What does science say about whether dieting increases your cortisol?

Do certain foods help you handle stress?

Ultimately - What can you do in your life and food to lower your stress and enjoy your life?

http://www.thevireolife.com/blog/2018/4/18/5-herbs-for-stress-management

http://www.thevireolife.com/blog/2017/1/23/a-new-kind-of-stress-eatingthat-is-actually-beneficial

The DASH Diet to lower blood pressure

EP 41: Is Short Meditation Better? The Results Are In.

Is it better to mediate daily, but short - or to meditate periodically, but long? After research and my own 6 month experiment, I'm ready to share the answers.

Here are the resources I mentioned:

Guided Meditation for Mindful Eating

http://www.thevireolife.com/podcast/2023/2/2/ep-23-two-powerful-mental-habits-to-feel-great

http://www.thevireolife.com/podcast/2022/12/30/ep-18-should-you-set-realistic-or-big-resolutions-to-succeed

EP 37: Why Workplace Wellness - How to Build a Stronger Team Now

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What is it costing when your company doesn't promote wellness?

Plus how to start and keep an effective wellness culture.

• Learn about the Stages of Change Model

• Hear from two companies who are doing wellness right

• Get 5 questions to start and keep the wellness conversation going

EP 32: This is Why You Need More Sunshine Now

What's a foundational practice for great energy that's so easy it could be called a "hack"? Sunlight. Discover the research of why sunlight is so good for your body and brain -- when to get it -- how much you need -- and easy ways to get more.

Here’s Episode 15 that I mentioned - Fast and Easy Ways to Keep Your Energy Up

EP 31: Energize with Simple Shifts in What You See and Hear

Discover how clutter and noise impact your energy. And how clutter and noise are relative terms -- what is clutter to you may be cozy to someone else. Your brain is unique. In this episode find out about a resource for productivity, that is designed for your unique brain. It’s linked here -

Focus at Will for productivity music

Also, check out Mridu Parikh’s podcast Life is Organized for organizing your work and life.

EP 13: What a Real Gratitude Practice Looks Like and Why

Discover how a gratitude practice can be ineffective - or even dangerous. And how to use a gratitude practice to your benefit. Learn the physical wellness results of being thankful. And, of course, find out the five easy ways to add a gratitude practice into your life. I share my stories of gratitude-gone-wrong, as well as how I've found what works in being thankful.

The five gratitude apps I mention

• Gratitude

• Presently: A gratitude journal

• Delightful: A gratitude journal + 3 good things

• Grateful: A gratitude journal

• 365 Gratitude Journal - Self care App

EP 12: Five Ways to Destress and Enjoy the Holidays

You really can have less stress and greater fulfillment during the holiday season. Learn five unique ways to prepare for, enjoy, and handle the holidays.

Plus, I tell a couple of funny stories on myself ... times I goofed the holidays and discovered the lessons I'm sharing with you. Give yourself the gift of a new perspective on stress management this holiday season.