Your Body – Thriveology

Days have a rhythm.  All day long, it is a huge inhale, trying to get that energy in you and into your efforts. But at the end of the day, it is a big exhale, a moment of relaxing and calming. Or more accurately, it should be. In our natural rhythm, evenings are a time […]

One day, I was watching some videos (you know how that rabbit hole works) that led me to a video on this interesting sport.  I love water sports, and am frequently daydreaming this time of year about being in warm water. I have no idea how that led to this video, but it was a […]

Three years ago, at the age of 51, I walked into the jiu jitsu gym.  I wasn't returning to some skill I learned when I was younger.  I was starting fresh.  As a beginner.  To be honest, I had some idea about what jiu jitsu involved... but I had no idea on how to participate. I was a beginner! The fact is, every accomplished person in every single field started the same way.  As a beginner.  It is an unavoidable part of starting anything and learning anything.  And at that point, you don't even know all the things you don't know! This is the first discovery of mastery.  The NOT knowing of everything.  So that you can start learning.  It is what the Zen masters refer to as "The Beginner Mind."  It is the natural state of beginning, and a good mindset to nurture throughout life, even as mastery comes in other areas. Which is why it is interesting that many adults hit a point in life when they are unwilling to start new, to become the beginner.  And unfortunately, that cuts off the path of growth.  It holds us back from new experiences and new learning. My guest on this episode is Tom Vanderbilt, accomplished journalist and author, and intentional beginner.  His recent book, Beginnings, recounts Tom's decision and path on learning some new skills and interests.  He decided to learn to play chess, draw, sing, juggle, and surf.  He even learned how to make a titanium wedding band to replace the ones lost learning to surf. In this episode, Tom and I discuss the process of learning, the Beginner's Mind, why we struggle to reengage with beginning, and how to do it anyway.  We also discuss the powerful advantage to the learning process, straight through adulthood. Tom's book is a must-read, since growth and learning are Thrive Principle skills for thriving people. Listen in below. RELATED RESOURCES >>Tom's Website and Book Info

These days are filled with stress. The pandemic, politics, relationships, work, pay, weather. You name it, these are stressful times. But what IS stress? As much as we toss that term around, sometimes almost as a badge of honor, you may not think about what that term is REALLY about. When we talk about “stress,” […]

Hasn't 2020 been a doozy of a year?  Pandemics, weather, policitics... asteroids???  What else can happen? A national election, of course (in the United States, anyway).  And not just any election.  It would be a doozy, too, any other year. But this year?? According to a recent poll, over 70% of those polled in the States say that the election is a significant source of stress.  And 77% saya they are worried about the future of the US. How do we deal with the Election Anxiety?  How can we keep from feeling the negative impact of the election on our emotional well-being? In this episode of the Thriveology Podcast, I cover what causes the anxiety, and six ways to deal with it.  Listen below. RELATED RESOURCES The Coping with Covid Series What CAN You Control? My Books

How are you sleeping?  If you are like the majority of Americans, at least one night a week, not well! And if you are like over 1/3rd of workers, you are not getting the recommended minimum of sleep.  Which is why more than 40% of people use some over-the-counter product to get to sleep (which does not include the number of people using a prescribed product for sleep). Research is pretty consistent:  adults need somewhere between 7 and 9 hours of nightly sleep in order to be healthy.  More than 9 can indicate a problem.  And less than 7 can lead to health problems like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes.  It also has a psychological toll. But if you are struggling with getting sleep, none of what I just wrote comes as a surprise... which is why you are trying to get the rest you need. In this week's Thriveology Podcast, I discuss 5 strategies for betting better sleep. Most are simple, but all are important, if you struggle to get the rest you need.  Listen below. RELATED RESOURCES Thriving Body series End Your Day on a High Note 5 Ways to Shift Your Day from Stressful to Restful Breathe for Health and Calm Thrive Principles Book

It happens about 25,000 per day.  And for the most part, it is automatic.  But it is one of the few bodily functions that you can "take off automatic" and choose how you will do it.  And you might not be doing it optimally. What is it? Breathing.  Taking a breath.  Inhaling and exhaling. I know, it seems automatic, right?  But you can choose to take a deep breath.  Or you can hold your breath.  You may breathe out of your nose.  Or you may breathe with your mouth (you may want to change that one... listen to the podcast for why). Breathing one way can stress you out.  Breathing another way will calm you down (meaning, you can choose which way you want to breathe!). Since you are currently reading this, we can assume you are breathing.  That's a great start?  How about breathing BETTER?  That is a process that can take you down lots of paths. On this episode of the Thriveology Podcast, I interview James Nestor.  A journalist and writer, James got interested in breathing from an ealier book, Deep, which focused on freediving (people going very deep for a long time, because they are excellent breathers). His upcoming (and excellent) book is Breath.  It is a super-deep (and very readable) "dive" into breathing -- why it is important, how to do it better, and what difference it makes. When I heard about the book, I knew I needed to get James on the podcast, at this moment.  His book won't be out until May (but go ahead and pre-order it!).  But with the pandemic, you need this information now.  So, I got him on!  And James offered some simple, easy ways to uber-breathe to help your health. This is super important.  Take a listen below!  (Then order his book!) RELATED RESOURCES Breath - from Amazon Breath - from Bookstore.org (they support local bookstores) James Nestor's website

When I recorded this episode of the Thriveology Podcast, it was almost another world.  Many people were still minimizing the novel coronavirus.  Even politicians were downplaying the severity and impact. So much has changed.  Many, if not most, schools are closed to face-to-face instruction.  Many workers are working from home, where possible.  Lots of restaurants are only serving by delivery or take-out.  New guidelines suggest not being around more than 10 people... and that number may go down. The world has changed, almost overnight. It affects us all... making this episode just as important, if not more so. We are going to have to define what it means to thrive.  That is what happens when it feels like every day is an attempt to survive. Here is the good news:  humanity will prevail. We can thrive. Life WILL go on.  But it will never be the same.  Things will change.  How we used to do things will disappear, but new ways will appear. I know these are scary times.  But we will get through this.  Together. That's what we do. Lisen to the episode below. RELATED RESOURCES: CDC Information WHO Information Johns Hopkins Guide to Coronavirus Check Out My Books to Help Thrive