3574: In Search of Calm by Dr. Jenny Brockis on Cultivating Gratitude and Practicing Mindfulness

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 3576: Kate Hesse explores the tension between burnout and underperformance, offering a compassionate look at how our energy levels naturally ebb and flow. By addressing night owl habits, the pros and cons of routines, and how rest might not be laziness but necessary recovery, she empowers readers to find a more sustainable rhythm rooted in self-awareness and nature's cycles. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nourishnestbreathe.com/struggle-doing-too-much-or-too-little/ Quotes to ponder: "Staying up late isn’t an issue unless you find yourself chronically tired, rushing each morning in a panic because you’re running late for work." "Periods where we’re more productive, and periods where we’re more introspective are natural and normal." "Doing less isn’t lazy, it’s resting up for the next round." 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 3575: Stephen Guise challenges the common belief that overwhelm is caused by having too much to do. Instead, he reveals it’s more about how we interpret our responsibilities, and shows that slowing down, not speeding up, is the unexpected path to clarity and productivity. Learn how doing nothing for a moment can shift your mindset and help you regain control, one calm breath at a time. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://minihabits.com/the-weird-way-to-fight-overwhelm/ Quotes to ponder: "Taking a moment proves that overwhelm is only in the mind." "When I begin to sense overwhelm, I will sit down on the couch or even lie down. This reaffirms to me that no figurative or real alligator is chasing me." "The best way to blow it in a clutch situation in sports is to think about how important the situation is. None of that has anything to do with your ability to execute!" 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 3574: Dr. Jenny Brockis shares simple yet powerful strategies to quiet the mind and reclaim calm in an overstimulated world. By tuning into our senses, cultivating gratitude, laughing more, and practicing mindfulness, we can enhance our clarity, creativity, and emotional resilience. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drjennybrockis.com/2016/9/8/in-search-of-calm/ Quotes to ponder: "A calm mind is a quiet mind, highly tuned and aware." "Writing down what we are grateful for helps to instill calm." "A good belly laugh is a great way to reduce tension and elevate mood." 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 3573: Jennifer of SimplyFiercely.com shares seven powerful journal prompts designed to help you simplify your life by reconnecting with your values and identifying hidden mental clutter. These thoughtful exercises offer a gentle yet profound way to reduce stress, make aligned decisions, and let go of what no longer serves you. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.simplyfiercely.com/simple-journal-prompts/ Quotes to ponder: "Everyone experiences stress now and then but unfortunately, for many it has become a 'normal' state of being." "If you want more time for what really matters, then you need to start by clarifying what this means to you." "At its core, simple living is values-led living, life feels 'simple' when you’re living true to yourself." Episode references: Louise Hay quote source (You Can Heal Your Life): https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Heal-Your-Life/dp/0937611018 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 3572: Chalene Johnson shares actionable strategies to break free from self-doubt and build lasting self-confidence by rewiring your internal dialogue and setting clear personal boundaries. Through relatable stories and simple mindset shifts, she empowers listeners to reclaim control over their self-perception and stop seeking external validation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/eliminate-self-doubt-and-boost-confidence-with-these-simple-tips/ Quotes to ponder: "Confidence is not something you’re born with, it’s something you build." "When we don’t create boundaries, we invite people to take advantage of our time and energy." "You’ve got to stop looking for confidence externally and start creating it internally." Episode references: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins: https://www.amazon.com/5-Second-Rule-Transform-Confidence-Everyday/dp/1682612384 The Confidence Code: https://www.amazon.com/Confidence-Code-Science-Self-Assurance-What-Should/dp/0062230638 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 3571: Joshua Fields Millburn shares a deeply personal journey of loss, self-discovery, and radical transformation, sparked by one simple tweet. As grief dismantled his old life, he found purpose and freedom through minimalism, proving how a single moment can reshape everything and lead to a more intentional, meaningful path. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.theminimalists.com/tweet Quotes to ponder: "A month after she passed, my marriage ended abruptly, and I didn’t know which way was up anymore." "When I heard him talk about his newfound freedom, how minimalism allowed him to focus on the most important things in his life, I immediately said, 'I’m in.'" "Most important, Ryan and I have been able to contribute beyond ourselves: minimalism has allowed us to shed the excess so we can live intentionally and contribute to others in a meaningful way." Episode references: Asymmetrical Press: https://www.asymmetrical.co 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 3570: Eric Teplitz offers a heartfelt guide to the practice of lovingkindness, or metta meditation, encouraging us to cultivate compassion not just for others but for ourselves. By incorporating simple, sincere wishes for well-being into both formal and informal moments of daily life, we can foster greater peace, connection, and empathy, even amidst life’s chaos. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://inspiredlivingblog.wordpress.com/2015/08/08/my-wish-for-you/ Quotes to ponder: "May you be and feel: fully supported, and deeply loved, valued, cherished, and cared for." "It just has to occur to you to do it." "Starting your day with a practice like this can set the tone for your day, before you get caught up in the relentless pull of things to do." Episode references: Guided Meditation: Six Essential Practices to Cultivate Love, Awareness, and Wisdom: https://www.soundstrue.com/products/guided-meditation 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 3569: Marc Chernoff offers 11 thoughtful suggestions for spending money in ways that genuinely improve your life, from nurturing relationships and investing in your health to upgrading daily-use items and paying down debt. Rather than defaulting to saving or splurging, he encourages mindful spending that supports long-term well-being, purpose, and personal growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2008/02/20/11-practical-ways-to-spend-your-money/ Quotes to ponder: "There may be no better way to spend your money than to use it to nurture and rekindle personal relationships with the most significant people in your life." "Your health is your life. Without it, all the success and affluence in the world is meaningless." "There is nothing wrong with splurging on a practical item that you actually use on a regular basis." Episode references: Somatic Therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/somatic-therapy 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 3568: Sabrina of Budding Optimist explores how the everyday phrases "if only" and "not now" can quietly sabotage our happiness, anchoring us in regret and procrastination. With personal stories and sharp self-reflection, she shows how shifting our language can lead to a deeper sense of contentment and purposeful action. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/power-of-words/ Quotes to ponder: "If only” also prevents us from enjoying the present. It has us looking constantly at the pot on the stove, wondering what other delicious bits might be in there, instead of savouring the food already on our plate." "The words 'not now' had created a fortress of excuses that had confined me to the status quo. And I was miserable inside it." "The simple act of taking notice of what you say, to others and to yourself, will build the foundation for change to happen." 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 3567: Sabrina explores how seemingly harmless phrases like “why me” and “if only” subtly erode our happiness by reinforcing feelings of helplessness and dissatisfaction. Through her own experiences with serious illness, she illustrates how acceptance and a shift in mindset can reclaim peace and power in our lives. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/power-of-words/ Quotes to ponder: "Words can comfort, energize, and encourage. They can also provoke, stifle, and frustrate." "So don’t ask 'why me?' It is an unanswerable question." "The biggest problem with the phrase 'if only' is that it describes a scenario that does not exist." Episode references: Words Can Change Your Brain: https://www.amazon.com/Words-Can-Change-Your-Brain/dp/0142196770 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices