3222: Focus and the Role of Reflective Thinking by Laura Stack of The Productivity Pro on Deepening Daily Focus

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3223: Marc Bilodeau reveals how micro-runs can significantly boost cardiovascular health, mood, and longevity without requiring long workouts or intense speeds. With simple routines and minimal time investment, anyone can improve endurance, track progress, and build sustainable fitness habits that fit into even the busiest lifestyle. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.fittrend.com/how-micro-runs-can-transform-your-health/ Quotes to ponder: "Running at nearly any pace is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your cardiovascular system." "Each short run elevates your heart rate and challenges your body just enough." "Every step counts." Episode references: Cooper 1.5-Mile Run Test: https://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/2-4-km-run.htm Rockport Walk Test: https://www.verywellfit.com/rockport-fitness-walking-test-calculator-3952696 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3222: Laura Stack explains how true focus demands more than willpower, it requires reflective thinking, the metacognitive skill of analyzing your thoughts to improve productivity and decision-making. By regularly stepping back to evaluate systems and habits, professionals can streamline their work, limit distractions, and sharpen their ability to act decisively under pressure. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2017/07/focus-and-the-role-of-reflective-thinking/ Quotes to ponder: "No matter how hard you work, if you can’t maintain a tight focus on the key activities that directly affect your organization’s success, you’ll never perform up to par." "Long-term success requires you to occasionally step back and look at the big picture so you can then hone in on the 'problem children' in your workflow." "Reflective thinking represents a process of learning from experience." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3221: Rachel Trotta shares how to enjoy holiday meals without compromising your health, emphasizing balance over restriction. Her approach blends practical nutrition tips with emotional awareness, helping you make intentional choices while still savoring festive traditions. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://racheltrotta.com/healthy-eating/holiday-fitness-healthy-christmas-foods/ Quotes to ponder: "Cooking is empowering, because you have the power of choice when you start your meal at the grocery store." "Focus on self-care, meaningful experiences, and human connection, not the food." "Making healthy food choices does not mean withdrawing from society during the holidays." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3220: Dr. Neal Malik explains why breaking one healthy habit can often unravel the rest, using the concept of keystone habits to illustrate how certain routines can drive overall momentum. He offers practical strategies for regaining consistency by identifying inspiring, achievable goals that reignite motivation and restart the ripple effect of positive behavior. Quotes to ponder: "A keystone habit is the pebble that triggers the ripple effect." "We don’t need health information, we need health inspiration." "What inspires you?" Episode references: The Power of Habit: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3219: Victoria Jung offers smart, practical strategies to help you stay on track with your health goals during the festive season without sacrificing the joy of holiday celebrations. By keeping things simple, managing stress, and indulging mindfully, you’ll glide through the holidays feeling balanced and in control. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://freeformfitness.ca/merry-little-fitmas/ Quotes to ponder: "Hitting the gym more during/after the holidays to work off those holiday treats makes exercise a punishment for indulgence." "Your health is there with you 365 days of the year for your entire lifetime so make the holiday season a phase in your yearly training plan." "A simple check-in with yourself will help you to avoid overindulging!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3218: Sophie Szczudlo shares twelve practical strategies to help you enjoy the festive season without sabotaging your health goals. From mastering mindful eating to managing alcohol intake and embracing guilt-free indulgence, her tips make it easier to stay energized, nourished, and in control during the most tempting time of year. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.idealnutrition.com.au/the-christmas-survival-guide/ Quotes to ponder: "Turning up to a party hungry means you’re more likely to over-indulge on energy-dense party foods." "Eating in moderation means to eat healthy nutritious foods most of the time and to be able to indulge in pleasurable foods without any guilt on special occasions." "It’s important to treat yourself from time to time and Christmas is a perfect opportunity." Episode references: NHMRC Alcohol Guidelines: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3217: Ben Greenfield explores the unique advantages of blending fruits and vegetables over juicing, emphasizing how blending preserves fiber, slows sugar absorption, and boosts satiety. Backed by research and practical tips, his insights help health-conscious readers make smarter, more nutrient-dense choices in their daily routines. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/article/nutrition-articles/benefits-of-blending/ Quotes to ponder: "Blending maintains the fiber, which slows down the rate of sugar absorption and promotes a feeling of fullness." "Juicing strips away the fiber, causing a rapid spike in blood sugar levels followed by an inevitable crash." "Blending makes it easier to consume a wider variety of vegetables in a single serving." Episode references: Glycemic Index and Blood Sugar: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load-for-100-foods4/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3216: Ben Greenfield breaks down why blending might be your best-kept secret for boosting nutrient absorption, digestion, and energy. Learn how properly blended smoothies can enhance bioavailability, unlock hard-to-digest plant compounds, and help you maximize the health benefits of whole foods without sacrificing convenience. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/article/nutrition-articles/benefits-of-blending/ Quotes to ponder: "Blending is like pre-digesting your food, your blender becomes your second stomach." "Some of the most nutrient-dense parts of fruits and vegetables are trapped in fibrous matrices that your teeth and gut can’t easily break down." "When you blend, you increase the surface area of the food, allowing digestive enzymes to act more efficiently." Episode references: Nourishing Traditions: https://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735 The Bulletproof Diet: https://www.amazon.com/Bulletproof-Diet-Lose-Pounds-Increase/dp/162336518X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3215: Roger Lawson dismantles the belief that success is reserved for the extraordinary and urges us to stop waiting for perfect conditions. With equal parts honesty and motivation, he reframes progress as something built through consistent effort, not specialness, reminding us that starting from where we are is more than enough. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://roglawfitness.com/the-myth-of-special/  &  https://roglawfitness.com/start-where-you-are-%E2%80%93-successful-people-series-part-3/ Quotes to ponder: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." "There is never a perfect time, perfect place, or perfect situation to begin." "When you let go of the need to be special, you free yourself up to simply do the work." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3214: Dr. Bonnie Le unpacks how major relationship milestones, like moving in, marrying, or ending a relationship, affect our happiness and emotional health. Her research-backed insights reveal that while we often expect lasting emotional highs or lows from these events, our well-being tends to stabilize more quickly than we anticipate. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.luvze.com/how-do-important-relationship-events-impact-our-well-being/ Quotes to ponder: "Major life events, especially in romantic relationships, can have powerful effects on well-being, but not always in the ways we expect." "While many assume that breakups will devastate us, research suggests that the impact is often less severe and more short-lived than we predict." "Getting married is associated with a temporary increase in well-being, but over time, people generally return to their prior level of happiness." Episode references: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/psp Daniel Gilbert’s research on affective forecasting: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_the_psychology_of_your_future_self Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices