You searched for work | Page 108 of 155

Overcoming Chronic Insomnia with Michael Breus

In this special podcast series we have partnered with top well-being experts to help coach five members of our Live Happy team on how to make better choices and build habits that lead to more fulfilling lives. Through this series we'll tackle topics like improving communication with others, managing negative thinking, overcoming chronic insomnia, setting life goals and learning to unplug from work. In this episode Live Happy magazine Science Editor Paula Felps talks with Michael Breus, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As the subject of sleep continues to gain momentum in our sleep-deprived society, Michael has become a widely recognized leader in this ever-evolving field and serves on the clinical advisory board of The Dr. Oz Show. Dedicated to raising awareness of both medically diagnosed sleep disorders and the importance of quality sleep for all, Michael is on a mission to develop innovative education and communication programs. What you'll learn in this podcast: The problem with technology How sleep affects your personal health The simple equation to find out if you have insomnia How to get the best night's sleep Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Download the free e-book 10 Things Great Sleepers Do Download the free e-book At Least 3 Sleep Challenges Women Face Find out more about the 90 Days to a Happier You project Read about Shelley Levitt and her journey to better sleep Visit SleepCenters.org to find a sleep facility near you Thank you to our partner - AARP Life Reimagined!

Giving

Home Loan

A couple of years ago, Ron Sturgeon made a conscious choice to become more generous, but he never expected it would evolve into this. “In 2014, my resolution was to leave a 50 percent tip in restaurants,” says Ron, a once homeless Texas entrepreneur who built a fortune from the auto salvage business. “Most people think I’m crazy, but those people work so hard and don’t make enough money. They get stiffed by other customers, and when they see a big tip like that, it really makes them smile.” Raising the bar on generosity He credits his fiancée, Linda Allen, with encouraging him to be more giving. “It feels good and I don’t practice it enough,” he says. “But I am trying to find ways to be more generous.” In 2016 that generosity took on a whole new meaning, as Ron found himself offering housing to four families left homeless by storms that ripped through the Dallas area one day after Christmas. The high-force EF4 tornado killed 11 people and destroyed hundreds of homes before leaving the area. “I was in Jamaica, looking through Facebook at the pictures of the devastation and the lost dogs, and knew I could do something,” he says. “I knew I could do something” Having recently put his 10,000-square-foot mansion on the market after moving to a condo in Fort Worth, he knew he had an incredible space to offer those who had nothing. He also owns another home—about 8,000 square feet—that he recently put on the market. “I built that second home in 2007, because I was planning on selling my larger home, but then the economy crashed,” he says. “I had a tenant in it for a few years, but it’s been vacant now for a couple of months.” Someone who has been there himself Ron, who was homeless when he was in his late teens and now has a net worth that exceeds $75 million, says he understands that sometimes circumstances put people in desperate situations. He wanted to provide help to some of the people affected by the storms, so he put out a call for applications for families in need who could live in his former homes—each home would house two families, one on each floor. Pets welcome His office was immediately flooded with applications and phone calls. As a landlord with more than 1,000 business and private tenants, he already had systems in place to conduct background checks and process applications. Of course, such luxury doesn’t come free; Ron is charging the tenants a whopping $1 per month rent for three months. No deposit is required, but each does have to sign a lease. Ron will pick up the cost of utilities, so their only expenses will be food and necessities to allow them to focus on their futures. And since Ron is a dog lover and supports animal charities, the families can bring their pets. So far, Ron has chosen the first family and his team is sorting through applications to select the other three. The hardest hit Catherine and Amber Jenkins moved into the smaller home on January 8, along with their bunny, Sylvie, and service dog, Maggie. The family lost their handicap-accessible van as well as their home in the tornado. Amber, a quadriplegic who was paralyzed in a swimming accident eight years ago, also needs her wheelchair replaced. “They still need lots, they truly lost everything,” says Ron, who also has sent out requests for donations for the family to his list of friends and business contacts. “There are a lot of families that need help. Now we’re working on finding the other ones.” Paula Felps is the science editor for Live Happy.

Giving

Michael Breus – Overcoming Chronic Insomnia

In this special podcast series we have partnered with top well-being experts to help coach five members of our Live Happy team on how to make better choices and build habits that lead to more fulfilling lives. Through this series we'll tackle topics like improving communication with others, managing negative thinking, overcoming chronic insomnia, setting life goals and learning to unplug from work. In this episode Live Happy magazine Science Editor Paula Felps talks with Michael Breus, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist as well as aDiplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As the subject of sleep continues to gain momentum in our sleep-deprived society, Michael has become a widely recognized leader in this ever-evolving field and serves on the clinical advisory board of The Dr. Oz Show. Dedicated to raising awareness of both medically diagnosed sleep disorders and the importance of quality sleep for all, Michael is on a mission to develop innovative education and communication programs. What you'll learn in this podcast: The problem with technology How sleep affects your personal health The simple equation to find out if you have insomnia How to get the best night's sleep Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Download afree sketch noteof this episode Download thefree e-book 10 Things Great Sleepers Do Download the free e-book At Least 3 Sleep Challenges Women Face Find outmore about the90 Days to a Happier Youproject Readabout Shelley Levittand her journey to better sleep Visit SleepCenters.org to find a sleep facility near you Thank you to our partner -AARP LifeReimagined! Thanks for listening! Thank you so much for joining us this week on Live Happy Now. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Also,please leave an honest review for theLive Happy Now Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and helps others to find the podcast; we greatly appreciate it! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Special thanks to Michael Breus, Ph.D., for joining us this week. Related articles: 5 Secrets to a Happy Morning Want Peace of Mind? 5 Essential Tips for Getting a Great Nap

Podcast

Managing Negative Thinking with Karen Cassiday

In this special podcast series, we have partnered with top well-being experts to help coach five members of our Live Happy team on how to make better choices and build habits that lead to more fulfilling lives. Through this series, we'll tackle topics like improving communication with others, managing negative thinking, overcoming chronic insomnia, setting life goals and learning to unplug from work. Karen Cassiday is the president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America as well as owner of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago—the first private clinic in the Chicago area to offer exposure-based treatment for anxiety disorders. Karen has multiple published articles in the area of anxiety disorders, and she is an internationally recognized expert on the treatment of anxiety and related disorders in children through adults. In this episode, Live Happy magazine Science Editor Paula Felps talks with Karen about the causes and difficulties with worry and how to overcome it. What you'll learn in this podcast: How the intolerance of uncertainty sets people up for worry What makes worry worse Why misperceiving worry can mask your true concerns A simple exercise to ease your anxiety Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Find out more about the 90 Days to a Happier You project Read about Kim Baker and her journey to less worry Find out more about the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Download Self-help for Anxiety Management in the Apple App Store and Google Play Thank you to our partner—AARP Life Reimagined!

Top 10 Happiness Books You Don’t Want To Miss in 2016

Reading

Top 10 Books That Will Change Your Life in 2016

Our preview of 10 carefully selected books will help you craft a happier life filled with small moments of meaning and the occasional flash of triumph. Step out of your comfort zone and make 2016 a year to thrive. 1. Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges By Amy Cuddy Try standing in the Superwoman pose. Feeling more confident already? Harvard professor Amy Cuddy, known for her TED talk on power poses, says we can tackle things that once terrified us with small changes in our body language and mindset. Read real stories of people who have flourished by harnessing the power of their own presence. 2. The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything By Neil Pasricha Best-selling author of The Book of Awesome, Neil Pasricha sets out to change how you think about your time, career, family and your happiness in this latest book. He explores the nine secrets to happiness, including the belief that retirement is a broken theory, success doesn’t lead to happiness, and multitasking is a myth. 3. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person By Shonda Rhimes Shonda Rhimes, creator of TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, is an introvert and workaholic who dreads public appearances. When her sister tells her that she “never says yes to anything,” she takes up the challenge. Year of Yes is a heartfelt and funny look at the terrifying and sometimes embarrassing moments of saying yes and overcoming some of her greatest fears, from public speaking to appearing on late-night TV. 4. Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Beginner's Guide to Finding Joy in Unexpected Places By Sam Chase True happiness can be simpler than we ever thought possible with the help of yoga. Why yoga? This ancient practice helps overcome discontent by quieting the mind and aligning our actions with our purpose. Yoga, this book implores, helps you realize that small, everyday moments infused with meaning, and not grand gestures, ultimately lead to happiness. 5. Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy By Deborah Heisz Live Happy Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder Deborah Heisz, along with the editors of Live Happy magazine, bring you the latest research on the practices and actions that contribute to a happy life through deeply meaningful stories from everyday people and celebrities alike. Alanis Morissette, Shawn Achor, Gretchen Rubin and Jason Mraz are just a few of the people who reveal how small tweaks in your attitude and behavior can greatly enhance your daily joy. 6. The Here and Now Habit: How Mindfulness Can Help You Break Unhealthy Habits Once and for All By Hugh G. Byrne This thoughtful tome shows us how to break bad habits like constantly checking email and emotional over-eating by learning how to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, the author claims, means creating healthier habits so you can stop living on autopilot and start living in the present. 7. Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children By Angela J. Hanscom Unstructured freedom of movement and outdoor play are vital for children’s cognitive development and growth, according to Angela J. Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, an international nature-based program. Kids need rough-and-tumble outdoor play to develop their sensory, motor and executive functions, according to Angela. Instead, many lead sedentary lifestyles that can lead to health and cognitive difficulties. This book shows parents how to help their children thrive—even in an urban environment. 8. The Best Place To Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace By Ron Friedman, Ph.D. In this book, award-winning psychologist Ron Friedman explains how to create a better workplace that will increase productivity and meaning at work. He shares his findings in the fields of motivation, creativity, behavioral economics and neuroscience. Filled with best practices, Ron shows how to boost creativity so that workers can make better decisions and generally feel more alive at work. 9. The Happiness Track: How to Apply the Science of Happiness to Accelerate Your Success By Emma Seppala, Ph.D. The latest findings in cognitive psychology and neuroscience reveal that our happiness has a profound effect on our professional lives by increasing our productivity as well as our emotional and social intelligence. Stanford researcher Emma Seppala explains that our outdated notion of equating success with living in a stressed-out, overdrive mode prevents sustainable happiness. Put yourself on the path to success with her practical steps. 10. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance By Angela Duckworth Renowned positive psychologist Angela Duckworth shows us that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a focused persistence called grit. Identifying your passion and following through on your commitments are factors that contribute more to success than talent alone. In her first book, she explains and expounds on her groundbreaking research on grit, which shows that it may be more indicative of success than factors such as IQ or genetics. Read more: 10 Life-Changing Books That Will Stay With You Forever Sandra Bienkowski is a regular contributor to Live Happy and the founder and CEO of TheMediaConcierge.net.

Podcast Home

Improving Communication with Others with Michele Gravelle

In this special podcast series we have partnered with top well-being experts to help coach five members of our Live Happy team on how to make better choices and build habits that lead more fulfilling lives. Through this series we tackle topics like improving communication with others, managing negative thinking, overcoming chronic insomnia, setting life goals and learning to unplug from work. Michele Gravelle is a consultant with Triad Consulting where she works with the authors of the bestselling books: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, and Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well. Michele also facilitates executive education programs at the Harvard Negotiation Institute and Duke Corporate Education. In this episode Live Happy magazine Science Editor Paula Felps talks with Michele about the obstacles to effective communication and how to improve your communication with others. What you'll learn in this podcast: The importance of personal responsibility in communications The power of inquiry and empathy How to present your message in a way that the other person will listen to you How to create trust in a conversation so that everyone involved feels heard Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Download a free sketch note of this episode Read 6 Steps to Healthier, More Productive Conversations Learn more about the 90 Days to a Happier You project Read more about Susan Kane who was featured in this episode Purchase a copy of Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most Purchase Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well Thank you to our partner - AARP Life Reimagined!

Self-Care

5 Tips to Get Past the Post-Holiday Crash

It’s the start of a new year, but January can be tough when it comes to feeling happy. The holiday festivities are over, the gift-giving bills are coming in, the routine workweek has returned, and, in many places, the gloomy winter days are starting to take a toll. It’s no wonder the third Monday of January has been dubbed the most depressing day of the year, with some calling it Blue Monday. January might not be considered the most joyful month, but there’s no need to let the post-holiday blues dominate the first few weeks of 2023. Kick off the year positively by using these five tips to stay happy (even when the air is frigid and the festiveness has faded!): 1. Choose a word of the year Studies have shown that New Year’s resolutions can be very hard to keep, and failing to do so can add to those January blues. Instead of a resolution, choose a word that highlights what you want more of or a specific way you want to feel in 2023. Some word-of-the-year ideas: fun, inspired, love, joy. (Check out more here.) Make your word a priority all year long. Whenever you’re struggling with a decision, ask yourself, “Does this align with my word of the year?” 2. Plan a fun event, large or small The letdown following November and December’s fun events can curtail happiness. After socializing, parties, and festivities, it might feel as if there’s nothing to look forward to, making this is the perfect time to plan something fun. Whether you book a vacation for later in 2023 or schedule brunch with friends next weekend, planning something exciting is a real pick-me-up during these dreary days. 3. Pick up Your Pen When the days are short and your mood is low, try doing something we rarely do anymore: Write a letter to a loved one who lives far away, or find a pen pal via sites like Adopt a Soldier or More Love Letters or The Letter Writers Alliance. Having something positive to do (sending letters!) and the possibility of receiving personal mail will brighten up dull days. 4. Set a positive alarm clock If you use the alarm option on your phone to wake you each morning, program the sound it makes to give yourself a positive boost when you wake up. You can download a favorite ringtone, or even record your own wake-up invocation by recording yourself fun sounds and uplifting sayings like “Go smile at yourself in the mirror” or “Go get 'em, tiger!” 5. Create a new routine Getting back to the standard, day-to-day routines can be one of the most disheartening parts of January but you can spice up your schedule by creating a new and fun routine this month! Consider what you really enjoy doing—reading, drinking coffee, chatting with friends, going for walks—and find a way to incorporate what you love into your daily routine. Set aside an hour after dinner for reading or schedule a weekly date with a friend to catch up. It will make the time until spring a lot more joyful. Dani DiPirro is an author, blogger, and designer living in a suburb of Washington, DC. In 2009, she launched the website PositivelyPresent.com with the intention of sharing her insights about living a positive and present life. Dani is the author of Stay Positive, The Positively Present Guide to Life, and a variety of e-books. She is also the founder of Twenty3, a design studio focused on promoting positive, modern graphic design and illustration.

Half Marathon Goes a Long Way Toward Lasting Change

Self-Care

Half-Marathon a Milestone for Lasting Change

Welcome to 2016! I’m going to Disney World! Over the holidays I, like many of you, spent some time examining what I would like to accomplish in the coming year. I set personal, business and family goals. Some will require stopping bad habits (procrastination!) and others will require building new habits (regular sleep). In other words, I will need to change. And change is hard because, as Tal Ben-Shahar shares on the Live Happy Now podcast and in this month’s issue of the magazine, we don’t have much willpower. If you find yourself abandoning your resolutions after a couple of weeks or simply needing some strategies to accomplish change, Live Happy has a ton of information available this month to help you. Five of our staff members are undergoing their own transformations in our 90 Days to a Happier You! challenge. Time for change The great news is that we are all capable of change, and even small changes bring us closer to living the life that we want. I am feeling a sense of accomplishment because of a change I made last year. In late 2014, I took a hard look at my health. With three children and a job that requires travel, I was simply no longer making it to the gym. I was putting on weight and not feeling very energetic. I knew I needed a change. I wanted to add exercise into my life in a way that it became easy. I didn’t want complicated plans; I didn’t want to hire a trainer; and I needed to be able to exercise anywhere in almost every kind of weather with limited to no equipment. So, I took up running. Not born to run, but willing to try I know from reading Live Happy that running has tremendous benefits beyond physical health. Although I have played various sports, I have never enjoyed running. The runner’s high is something I have never experienced, and I am not sure I believe it exists. My spouse, on the other hand, has run four marathons, a half Ironman and too many half marathons for me to remember. She was quietly thrilled that I had decided to run, but aside from making some shoe and apparel suggestions, largely left me alone to do it my way (which is really the only way I ever do anything). Into the groove I set a goal of being able to run a 5K by Memorial Day and even took the initiative to register for a local race. Then I downloaded a Couch to 5K program and started to run. The idea was to run three times a week. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn’t. But, by Memorial Day I had stuck with it enough to lose a few pounds and be ready for the 5K. However, I was sick and couldn’t run. I surprised myself by being disappointed. Then one conversation jump-started my momentum. My run-crazy spouse said she has always wanted to run the Disney marathon. I said I wasn’t going to go to Disney to watch her run and be too weary to move for the rest of the weekend. She said, “If you run the half marathon, we can do it together.” I said OK. The goal Over the next week we researched, spent the money for plane tickets, arranged for her parents to watch the kids, and suddenly I was signed up for a half marathon—13.1 miles—when I hadn’t run more than 3.1 miles in 10 years or more than 10 miles at once since I was 18. Commitment—around the world, and back home So to start off this year, I am going to Disney World! I have prepared. Running has become a regular part of my life. I have run in Central Park and along the streets of NYC; in Cincinnati; Long Beach, California; on a cruise ship treadmill in San Jose; on a treadmill in Mexico City; on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama; and all over my neighborhood at home in Texas where my neighbors honk and wave. I am ready and excited! I have made real change, and this run will be a celebration of that accomplishment for me. I am not sure how I will do in the race. I still don’t love to run. And I am very slow. But it doesn’t matter. I achieved the goal of having a workout plan to fit my lifestyle. See how it goes! If you’d like to follow along and cheer or jeer me on the morning of the January 9 run, I will be on social media live from the event. You can follow on Twitter @dheisz on Instagram @debheisz or on Facebook/livehappy. Please share your goals and successes with our team in the Comments below or @livehappy on Twitter or on our Facebook page. Here’s to lasting change for us all in 2016! Deborah K. Heisz is the co-founder and editorial director of Live Happy.

Practice

7 Steps Back From Depression

When I was in my 20s, I just wanted to stay in bed and cry. I had a journalism degree but worked as an administrative assistant and a waitress. A rough childhood with an alcoholic mother made me think I couldn’t do any better. I had an apartment that I shared with a friend, but depression left me feeling lost and hopeless. Desperately wanting to feel differently, I made an appointment with a psychologist. My psychologist was funny and blunt. After a long psychological assessment, he described me back to me: “Chronic depression; fear of abandonment; angry but you have a difficult time expressing it; people pleaser.” That hurt, but it also hit home. Talk therapy helped me because I finally felt heard and understood what was happening inside my head. I’d drive home from those appointments and write down everything I could remember. I wanted to study my way out of depression’s dark grip. Slowly, I started to feel strong. My solution wasn’t a quick fix, but I came away from therapy with an emotional toolkit that has stood the test of time. Here are some of the things I’ve learned: 1. Practice self-compassion Would you treat a friend the way you treat yourself? When I was depressed, I condemned myself for normal human flaws. Start treating yourself in the same compassionate way you would treat a child or close friend. Give yourself a soft place to land when things don’t go right or something doesn’t work out. Take our quiz: Are You Sabotaging Your Self-Esteem? 2. Make decisions that make you feel good about you Every decision you make can impact how you feel about yourself. Sharing a kind word, acting with integrity or facing a fear can all make you feel good about yourself, even in small doses. 3. Decide what you want your life to look like I learned in therapy that our relationships are often a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. When I was depressed in my 20s, my relationships were a mess. As I worked on me, I watched every aspect of my life improve: relationships, work, health, finances and personal goals. I made a list of what my life looked like in each of those areas, and what I wanted my life to look like. This simple step of jotting things down in a notebook was life-changing because it gave me a road map to follow. Inaction fuels depression. Action builds confidence and dissipates depression. Read more: 10 Questions That Will Change Your Life 4. Spend time with your strengths and assets If you are tough on yourself, spend some time doing the things you do well. Your strengths are your guideposts for who you are. My self-worth used to feel like an empty tank. Today, I keep it full by focusing on my strengths instead of dwelling on each flaw. Notice and be grateful for your positive traits, skills and abilities. Now I even laugh a little bit about the things I’m not so good at. 5. Sleep on it If you have a down day, wait it out and see how you feel tomorrow. Sleep can magically change your outlook and give you a fresh perspective. 6. Write it out I used journaling from the time I could write. It was my escape and my place of solace. Journaling is a cathartic and healing practice. As you write, your mind has a safe place to express thoughts. You connect with your authentic feelings. Writing can be incredibly illuminating and can help lead your mind out of its darkest place. 7. Take risks When I started going to therapy, I had an intense fear of being alone and not having a boyfriend at all times. Boyfriends were mirrors for me and if I didn’t have one, I didn’t think I had value. Facing my fear of living alone gave me the courage to realize I determine my own value. My choice to seek talk therapy put me on a path to fight depression and win. I still struggle from time-to-time with the ghosts of old issues, but I now see my battle with depression as a resilience builder that gave me the tools to be an incredibly happy adult. Read more: Top 10 Natural Remedies to Calm Your Anxiety Sandra Bienkowski is a regular contributor to Live Happy and the founder and CEO of TheMediaConcierge.net.

Practice

Remember to Play! [VIDEO]

From Tal Ben-Shahar and our partners at Happier.TV.