Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hi Wellness Warriors.
Welcome back to another episodeof the Wellness Inspired
Podcast, a place where you canfind inspiration, motivation and
empowerment in the pursuit of awellness lifestyle.
I'm your host, sherri Davidson.
I'm a wellness coach and anacupuncturist in Houston Texas
and I am deeply passionate abouthealth and well-being.
And, as always, I am here withmy co-host, finn.
(00:42):
And if you're new to thepodcast, finn is my terrier
mixed rescue dog, trail runnerand loyal companion.
He is also a therapy dog andgreeter at Element 5 acupuncture
and wellness.
Happy New Year, everyone.
I hope your year is off to agreat start.
Also, I hope this episode helpsyou accomplish all your
resolutions, goals andintentions this year.
(01:03):
So what am I going to talkabout?
Well, we are diving into atopic that is all about
celebrating the best in you andhow celebrating your best can
help you achieve your healthgoals.
This episode is inspired by theprinciples of positive
psychology, which I love very,very much, but I'm going to keep
it simple and straightforwardfor you.
(01:24):
My wonderful listeners see howI did that.
I acknowledged a strength inyou, a good listener.
You know, often we findourselves caught up in a cycle
of focusing on what's wrong, thestress, the anxiety, the
challenges that life throws atus.
But what if we shifted ourperspective?
(01:45):
What if, instead of dwelling onwhat else our mind, we choose
to shine a light on what's rightwithin us?
In this episode, we willexplore the power of recognizing
and nurturing our character,strengths and virtues.
It's about understanding whatmakes us unique, what makes us
feel engaged, fulfilled andauthentically happy.
(02:07):
So join me on this journey intothe positive aspects of our
lives and discover how it canfuel your success in making
healthy changes.
But first we're going to talkabout the Wellness Riverboat
Cruise.
I know I've been talking aboutthis for a very, very long time,
but it is 2024 and this is theyear that this cruise will take
(02:28):
place, probably in October.
I'm going to sit down withTammy Haroka.
She is my friend.
She's a travel concierge.
She's also been on the podcast.
We talked about Wellness Travel, but we're going to talk.
I believe we meet for dinnernext week.
I wanted to meet after theHouston Marathon, which is this
weekend, so I just want to wisheverybody a great run.
If you're listening to this andyou're in Houston and you're
(02:49):
running the marathon, looks likeit's going to be cooler weather
, so that's always nice to runin.
So good luck to everyone.
Tammy and I are going to meetafter the marathon and we are
going to set a date and we aregoing to pick a river, but I'm
pretty sure it's going to be inOctober and it's going to be a
seven night cruise, I'm prettysure on the Danube River,
(03:11):
because the river boat that Iwant to go on can only go on
certain rivers and the Danube isone of them.
So I'm pretty sure it's goingto be the Danube River and it's
going to be seven nights.
So we would cruise throughAustria, germany, hungary and
Slovakia.
There will be activesightseeing, so hiking, biking,
(03:32):
and I'm going to talk to hernext week about running.
There will also be yoga,wellness talks, relaxing and
locally sourced cuisine.
So stay tuned for more details.
We're deciding this next week.
I already have many peopleinterested, so get ready to grab
your spot.
So I am thinking by the nextepisode that I post here,
(03:53):
everything will be ready to go.
So, all right, well, let's moveon.
Let's do this.
Okay, we're here.
Let's talk about the conditionsthat enable us to flourish.
(04:15):
I love positive psychology.
I am so excited to talk aboutthis with you and it will be an
ongoing conversation that I haveon this podcast, because I
believe this is the foundationfor accomplishing anything
successfully.
No-transcript Even if you're nottrying to reach goals or
(04:35):
resolutions or have New Year'sintentions, just being more
positive has many healthbenefits.
But for the purpose of today,we are going to be talking about
this in the context of makinghealthy change, and I also want
to say here that we're not hereto ignore the challenges.
We are here to acknowledge them, but with a different
(04:58):
perspective.
So let's shift our perspectiveto our best selves.
Let our best selves run theshow instead of our worst selves
.
By embracing our strengths andvirtues, we can create a
foundation for a more meaningfuland fulfilling life.
Think about it when was the lasttime you truly celebrated your
(05:19):
achievements, qualities and thepositive aspects of who you are
Now?
This isn't about bragging orboasting.
It's about recognizing andappreciating your unique person
and unique journey.
This is the powerful conceptwe're exploring today
Understanding what's right withyou, not what might be wrong.
(05:40):
It's easy to get caught up inself-improvement without
acknowledging the incrediblequalities we already possess,
how far we've come and what wehave learned.
So let's just take a moment andreflect on your character
strengths.
You may be exceptionally kindand pathetic or resilient.
You may possess a great senseof humor or a talent for problem
(06:05):
solving.
These strengths are thebuilding blocks of a positive
and meaningful life.
And if you don't know yourstrengths, if you can't think of
them offhand which I'm suremost of you can at least name
five.
But there are some free onlineresources you can go to and I
will put them in the show notesfor you.
I think one is the VIAcharacter and strength test, but
(06:29):
I'll put that link in the shownotes so you can do that.
I think it's a 300questionnaire, it's long, I
think there's 26 characterstrengths and they say to focus
on your top five.
So when I took it, my top fivewere the love of learning, which
does not surprise me at all,the appreciation of beauty and
excellence.
That one surprised me, but Ican definitely see it.
(06:52):
He was number three.
My honesty does get me introuble sometimes, because
sometimes I'm a little toohonest where it seems super
direct and insensitive, but I'mworking on that.
Curiosity and bravery.
These are my top five and ifyou do that test you will get
all of your strengths, includingyour top five.
So these are really great whenyou're trying to accomplish your
(07:13):
goals of any kind, butespecially your health goals.
So let's dive in to whycelebrating our best plays a
pivotal role in achieving yourhealth goals.
You see, when you focus on yourstrengths and celebrate your
achievements, it becomes apowerful motivator for pursuing
a healthier lifestyle.
Okay, now let's break down howthis positive mindset
(07:36):
contributes to our overallwell-being.
Firstly, celebrating your bestfosters a sense of
self-compassion.
Acknowledging youraccomplishments, big or small,
creates a positive self-image.
This self-compassion serves asa foundation for making
healthier choices.
When you recognize yourstrengths, you are more likely
(07:57):
to approach your health goalswith a mindset rooted in
self-love rather thanself-criticism.
Moreover, celebrating your besthelps shift your focus from
what you lack to what you canbuild upon.
It's easy to get caught up inthe negative aspects of your
health journey or life, but byhighlighting your successes, you
(08:18):
gain the confidence to tacklechallenges.
This positive momentum becomesa driving force, making it
easier to adopt and maintainhealthy habits.
Now let's talk about theconnection between celebrating
your best and buildingresilience.
Life is full of twists andturns, and health journeys are
(08:39):
no exception.
By appreciating your strengths,you develop resilience, the
ability to bounce back fromsetbacks and who doesn't have
setbacks when they're trying toreach goals.
So, instead of seeing obstaclesas insurmountable, you view
them as opportunities to learnand grow, keeping you on track
toward your health goals.
Celebrating your best alsonurtures a mindset of gratitude.
(09:00):
Gratitude has a profound impacton your overall well-being.
When we express gratitude forour body's capabilities, our
progress and our support aroundus creates a positive feedback
loop.
This positivity can enhanceyour mental and emotional
well-being, reinforcing yourcommitment to a healthier
lifestyle.
Now, this is not fluff.
(09:22):
There is science to back thisand, if you're interested, check
out Barbara Fredrickson's bookPositivity Discover the Upward
Spiral that Will Change yourLife.
She has lab-tested tools inthis book, and gratitude is one.
Let's talk about the practicalaspect.
When we celebrate ourachievements, it's not just
about patting yourself on theback.
(09:43):
It's about recognizing thebehaviors and choices that
contribute to your well-being.
By identifying these positiveactions, you can reinforce them,
turning them into consistenthabits.
So, whether it's makingnutritious food choices, staying
active or practicingmindfulness, acknowledging your
successes helps solidify thesehealth-promoting behaviors.
(10:05):
So, in essence, celebratingyour best is not just a
feel-good exercise.
It is a strategic approach toachieving your health goals.
It empowers you, buildsresilience, fosters gratitude
and turns healthy choices intolasting habits.
So, as you go on your healthjourney, remember to celebrate
(10:26):
your wins, embrace yourstrengths and let them guide you
towards a healthier, happieryou.
So, as we come to the end ofthis episode, I'd like to wrap
it up with some tips on how youcan celebrate your best.
So I have about 11 things herethat you can do.
These are just suggestions.
(10:47):
So, number one reflect onachievements.
Take time regularly to reflecton your accomplishments, no
matter how small or how big thiscould be progress in your
health journey, personalachievements or professional
success.
Number two express gratitude.
Again, I can't say this enoughExpress gratitude, cultivate a
(11:11):
sense of gratitude byacknowledging the positive
aspects of your life.
Write down the things you'rethankful for, whether it's your
health, relationships orpersonal growth.
I promise you it's an exerciseworth doing.
Number three positive self-talk.
How many of you acknowledge andobserve negative self-talk?
(11:31):
We all do it.
So replace negative self-talkwith positive affirmations.
Speak kindly to yourself,continue your strengths and
capabilities and remind yourselfof the progress you have made.
Number four treat yourself.
Reward yourself for reachingmilestones or achieving goals.
Treat yourself to somethingspecial, whether it's a favorite
(11:53):
meal, a spa day or a leisureactivity you enjoy.
Number five create a successjournal.
Keep a journal dedicated toyour successes and go over it
frequently.
Create your achievements, nomatter how small, no matter how
big, and revisit them wheneveryou need a boost of motivation.
Number six share your wins.
(12:15):
Celebrate with others bysharing your successes.
This could be with friends,family or a supportive community
.
Your positive reinforcement canamplify your sense of
accomplishment.
Number seven photographicevidence.
Take photos or create visualrepresentations of your
achievements.
Whether it is a fitnessmilestone, completed project or
(12:39):
a memorable moment, visuals canserve as a powerful reminder of
your successes.
I like this one.
I do it.
I have photographs up all overmy house of races that I have
gone to and the friends that Ihave done them with and the
beauty that surrounded me whileI was doing these races, and it
(13:02):
really is impactful and a great,great reminder.
So this is this is one of myfavorite, besides the gratitude.
Number eight to celebrate yourprogress.
Don't wait for major milestonesto celebrate.
Celebrate getting out of thebed and going to the gym that's
huge.
Celebrate, acknowledge andcelebrate the progress you make
(13:23):
along the way, because everystep forward is a step closer to
your goal.
So I do like celebratingprogress, bigger or smaller,
some days is just hard to getout of the bed.
So so definitely celebrate that.
Number nine mindful reflection.
So practice mindfulness bybeing present in the moment,
reflect on your strengths andaccomplishments without judgment
(13:46):
, and appreciate the journeyyou're on.
I like this one too.
I really I like all of these.
Number 10, pamper yourself.
Engage in self care activitiesthat make you feel good.
This is not selfish, this isimportant.
This could include a relaxingbath, a rejuvenating walk in
nature or simply spendingquality time doing the things
(14:07):
that you love.
This is so important, but Ialso don't want people to think
that this is all you're supposedto do.
This is the reward.
This is the yin to the yang.
This is working hard,accomplishing things, reaching
your goals, to turn around andgive yourself a little yin
nurturing activity.
So that's the pamperingyourself and the positive self
(14:32):
talk, and also the rewards areall about the yin aspect of the
yang of reaching your goals.
Last one, number 11, learn andgrow.
This one is super important toembrace a growth mindset by
viewing challenges asopportunities to learn.
This is the only way we'regoing to get through things
(14:54):
right.
Learn you are not a failure.
You do not fail.
You only learn.
So celebrate your abilities toovercome obstacles and use the
setbacks as stepping stones tofuture success.
And that's it.
So remember, celebrating yourbest is a personal and ongoing
practice, so tailor all thesetips to fit your preferences and
(15:18):
incorporate them into yourdaily routine to foster a
positive and celebratory mindset.
All right, so we're done here.
I guess we're going to wrap uptoday's episode.
So, again, please take a momentto celebrate your best,
acknowledge your strengths andreflect on the positive aspects
of your life.
And remember it's okay to focuson what's right with you.
(15:41):
Embrace the journey ofself-discovery and let your
strengths guide you towards ahappier, healthier, more
fulfilling life.
So thank you for joining me onthis exploration of celebrating
our best and making healthychanges.
Until next time, stay inspiredand stay well.
(16:11):
Okay, what did you all think?
I really enjoyed sharing thisinformation with you and I hope
you got a lot out of it andyou're able to start applying it
in your life.
And, as always, if you have anycomments, questions, I would
love to hear from you.
If you like what you hear,please subscribe to the podcast
and share with your family andfriends.
You can also give me a ratingand review.
Wherever you listen to yourpodcast, it helps others find me
(16:34):
as well.
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I'll put the link to thewebsite in the show notes so you
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(16:55):
If you're in the Houston areaor just visiting and interested
in our services acupuncture,herbal medicine, cupping,
zanchiatsu or dry needlingtherapy contact us.
You can find out more on ourwebsite at element5omcom.
That's element5, the number 5,omcom, and again, I'll put the
link in the show notes.
If you're interested in healthand wellness coaching, we can
(17:18):
connect in the clinic or on Zoom.
Reach out to us and we'll getyou on the schedule and, as
always, I would love to hearyour feedback.
I am dedicated to bringing yougreat content that is inspiring
and informative, with an artsyfun at G-SPIN.
Thank you so much for listening.
We'll meet here again next timeand remember, never stop
exploring, learning, loving andbeing you.
(17:38):
Bye.