Celebrating Your Best: A Positive Approach to Achieving Health Goals
Jan 08, 2024Episode 45
Sheri Davidson
Happy New Year! In this episode, we will journey into the positive aspects of our lives, inspired by the principles of positive psychology. Join me as we explore the power of recognizing and nurturing our character strengths and virtues, celebrating what's right within us. Discover how shifting your perspective to your best self can fuel success in making healthy changes. We discuss the profound impact of self-compassion, resilience, gratitude, and strategic celebration in achieving health goals. Plus, practical tips on celebrating your best and turning positive actions into lasting habits. Embrace this uplifting and strategic approach to living a healthier and happier life. Take advantage of the empowering science-backed insights and actionable steps to make 2024 your best year!
Happy New Year! In this episode, we will journey into the positive aspects of our lives, inspired by the principles of positive psychology. Join me as we explore the power of recognizing and nurturing our character strengths and virtues, celebrating what's right within us. Discover how shifting your perspective to your best self can fuel success in making healthy changes. We discuss the profound impact of self-compassion, resilience, gratitude, and strategic celebration in achieving health goals. Plus, practical tips on celebrating your best and turning positive actions into lasting habits. Embrace this uplifting and strategic approach to living a healthier and happier life. Take advantage of the empowering science-backed insights and actionable steps to make 2024 your best year!
Hi Wellness Warriors. Welcome back to another episode of the Wellness Inspired Podcast, a place where you can find inspiration, motivation and empowerment in the pursuit of a wellness lifestyle. I'm your host, sherri Davidson. I'm a wellness coach and an acupuncturist in Houston Texas and I am deeply passionate about health and well-being. And, as always, I am here with my co-host, finn. And if you're new to the podcast, finn is my terrier mixed rescue dog, trail runner and loyal companion. He is also a therapy dog and greeter at Element 5 acupuncture and wellness.
Speaker 1:
Happy New Year, everyone. I hope your year is off to a great start. Also, I hope this episode helps you accomplish all your resolutions, goals and intentions this year. So what am I going to talk about? Well, we are diving into a topic that is all about celebrating the best in you and how celebrating your best can help you achieve your health goals. This episode is inspired by the principles of positive psychology, which I love very, very much, but I'm going to keep it simple and straightforward for you. My wonderful listeners see how I did that. I acknowledged a strength in you, a good listener.
Speaker 1:
You know, often we find ourselves caught up in a cycle of focusing on what's wrong, the stress, the anxiety, the challenges that life throws at us. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of dwelling on what else our mind, we choose to shine a light on what's right within us? In this episode, we will explore the power of recognizing and nurturing our character, strengths and virtues. It's about understanding what makes us unique, what makes us feel engaged, fulfilled and authentically happy. So join me on this journey into the positive aspects of our lives and discover how it can fuel your success in making healthy changes.
Speaker 1:
But first we're going to talk about the Wellness Riverboat Cruise. I know I've been talking about this for a very, very long time, but it is 2024 and this is the year that this cruise will take place, probably in October. I'm going to sit down with Tammy 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 dinner next week. I wanted to meet after the Houston Marathon, which is this weekend, so I just want to wish everybody a great run. If you're listening to this and you're in Houston and you're running the marathon, looks like it's going to be cooler weather, so that's always nice to run in. So good luck to everyone.
Speaker 1:
Tammy and I are going to meet after the marathon and we are going to set a date and we are going to pick a river, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be in October and it's going to be a seven night cruise, I'm pretty sure on the Danube River, because the river boat that I want to go on can only go on certain rivers and the Danube is one of them. So I'm pretty sure it's going to be the Danube River and it's going to be seven nights. So we would cruise through Austria, germany, hungary and Slovakia. There will be active sightseeing, so hiking, biking, and I'm going to talk to her next 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 people interested, so get ready to grab your spot. So I am thinking by the next episode that I post here, everything will be ready to go.
Speaker 1:
So, all right, well, let's move on. Let's do this. Okay, we're here. Let's talk about the conditions that enable us to flourish. I love positive psychology. I am so excited to talk about this with you and it will be an ongoing conversation that I have on this podcast, because I believe this is the foundation for accomplishing anything successfully.
Speaker 1:
No-transcript Even if you're not trying to reach goals or resolutions or have New Year's intentions, just being more positive has many health benefits. But for the purpose of today, we are going to be talking about this in the context of making healthy change, and I also want to say here that we're not here to ignore the challenges. We are here to acknowledge them, but with a different perspective. So let's shift our perspective to our best selves. Let our best selves run the show instead of our worst selves. By embracing our strengths and virtues, we can create a foundation for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Speaker 1:
Think about it when was the last time you truly celebrated your achievements, qualities and the positive aspects of who you are Now? This isn't about bragging or boasting. It's about recognizing and appreciating your unique person and unique journey. This is the powerful concept we're exploring today Understanding what's right with you, not what might be wrong. It's easy to get caught up in self-improvement without acknowledging the incredible qualities we already possess, how far we've come and what we have learned. So let's just take a moment and reflect on your character strengths. You may be exceptionally kind and pathetic or resilient. You may possess a great sense of humor or a talent for problem solving. These strengths are the building blocks of a positive and meaningful life.
Speaker 1:
And if you don't know your strengths, if you can't think of them offhand which I'm sure most of you can at least name five. But there are some free online resources you can go to and I will put them in the show notes for you. I think one is the VIA character and strength test, but I'll put that link in the show notes so you can do that. I think it's a 300 questionnaire, it's long, I think there's 26 character strengths and they say to focus on your top five. So when I took it, my top five were the love of learning, which does not surprise me at all, the appreciation of beauty and excellence. That one surprised me, but I can definitely see it. He was number three. My honesty does get me in trouble sometimes, because sometimes I'm a little too honest where it seems super direct and insensitive, but I'm working on that. Curiosity and bravery. These are my top five and if you do that test you will get all of your strengths, including your top five. So these are really great when you're trying to accomplish your goals of any kind, but especially your health goals.
Speaker 1:
So let's dive in to why celebrating our best plays a pivotal role in achieving your health goals. You see, when you focus on your strengths and celebrate your achievements, it becomes a powerful motivator for pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Okay, now let's break down how this positive mindset contributes to our overall well-being. Firstly, celebrating your best fosters a sense of self-compassion. Acknowledging your accomplishments, big or small, creates a positive self-image. This self-compassion serves as a foundation for making healthier choices. When you recognize your strengths, you are more likely to approach your health goals with a mindset rooted in self-love rather than self-criticism. Moreover, celebrating your best helps shift your focus from what you lack to what you can build upon. It's easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of your health journey or life, but by highlighting your successes, you gain the confidence to tackle challenges. This positive momentum becomes a driving force, making it easier to adopt and maintain healthy habits.
Speaker 1:
Now let's talk about the connection between celebrating your best and building resilience. Life is full of twists and turns, and health journeys are no exception. By appreciating your strengths, you develop resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks and who doesn't have setbacks when they're trying to reach goals. So, instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable, you view them as opportunities to learn and grow, keeping you on track toward your health goals. Celebrating your best also nurtures a mindset of gratitude. Gratitude has a profound impact on your overall well-being. When we express gratitude for our body's capabilities, our progress and our support around us creates a positive feedback loop. This positivity can enhance your mental and emotional well-being, reinforcing your commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Now, this is not fluff. There is science to back this and, if you're interested, check out Barbara Fredrickson's book Positivity Discover the Upward Spiral that Will Change your Life. She has lab-tested tools in this book, and gratitude is one.
Speaker 1:
Let's talk about the practical aspect. When we celebrate our achievements, it's not just about patting yourself on the back. It's about recognizing the behaviors and choices that contribute to your well-being. By identifying these positive actions, you can reinforce them, turning them into consistent habits. So, whether it's making nutritious food choices, staying active or practicing mindfulness, acknowledging your successes helps solidify these health-promoting behaviors. So, in essence, celebrating your best is not just a feel-good exercise. It is a strategic approach to achieving your health goals. It empowers you, builds resilience, fosters gratitude and turns healthy choices into lasting habits. So, as you go on your health journey, remember to celebrate your wins, embrace your strengths and let them guide you towards a healthier, happier you.
Speaker 1:
So, as we come to the end of this episode, I'd like to wrap it up with some tips on how you can celebrate your best. So I have about 11 things here that you can do. These are just suggestions. So, number one reflect on achievements. Take time regularly to reflect on your accomplishments, no matter how small or how big this could be progress in your health journey, personal achievements or professional success. Number two express gratitude. Again, I can't say this enough Express gratitude, cultivate a sense of gratitude by acknowledging the positive aspects of your life. Write down the things you're thankful for, whether it's your health, relationships or personal growth. I promise you it's an exercise worth doing.
Speaker 1:
Number three positive self-talk. How many of you acknowledge and observe negative self-talk? We all do it. So replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Speak kindly to yourself, continue your strengths and capabilities and remind yourself of the progress you have made. Number four treat yourself. Reward yourself for reaching milestones or achieving goals. Treat yourself to something special, whether it's a favorite meal, a spa day or a leisure activity you enjoy. Number five create a success journal. Keep a journal dedicated to your successes and go over it frequently. Create your achievements, no matter how small, no matter how big, and revisit them whenever you need a boost of motivation. Number six share your wins. Celebrate with others by sharing your successes. This could be with friends, family or a supportive community. Your positive reinforcement can amplify your sense of accomplishment.
Speaker 1:
Number seven photographic evidence. Take photos or create visual representations of your achievements. Whether it is a fitness milestone, completed project or a memorable moment, visuals can serve as a powerful reminder of your successes. I like this one. I do it. I have photographs up all over my house of races that I have gone to and the friends that I have done them with and the beauty that surrounded me while I was doing these races, and it really is impactful and a great, great reminder. So this is this is one of my favorite, besides the gratitude.
Speaker 1:
Number eight to celebrate your progress. Don't wait for major milestones to celebrate. Celebrate getting out of the bed and going to the gym that's huge. Celebrate, acknowledge and celebrate the progress you make along the way, because every step forward is a step closer to your goal. So I do like celebrating progress, bigger or smaller, some days is just hard to get out of the bed. So so definitely celebrate that. Number nine mindful reflection. So practice mindfulness by being present in the moment, reflect on your strengths and accomplishments without judgment, and appreciate the journey you're on. I like this one too. I really I like all of these.
Speaker 1:
Number 10, pamper yourself. Engage in self care activities that make you feel good. This is not selfish, this is important. This could include a relaxing bath, a rejuvenating walk in nature or simply spending quality time doing the things that you love. This is so important, but I also don't want people to think that this is all you're supposed to do. This is the reward. This is the yin to the yang. This is working hard, accomplishing things, reaching your goals, to turn around and give yourself a little yin nurturing activity. So that's the pampering yourself and the positive self talk, and also the rewards are all about the yin aspect of the yang of reaching your goals.
Speaker 1:
Last one, number 11, learn and grow. This one is super important to embrace a growth mindset by viewing challenges as opportunities to learn. This is the only way we're going to get through things right. Learn you are not a failure. You do not fail. You only learn. So celebrate your abilities to overcome obstacles and use the setbacks as stepping stones to future success. And that's it. So remember, celebrating your best is a personal and ongoing practice, so tailor all these tips to fit your preferences and incorporate them into your daily routine to foster a positive and celebratory mindset.
Speaker 1:
All right, so we're done here. I guess we're going to wrap up today's episode. So, again, please take a moment to celebrate your best, acknowledge your strengths and reflect on the positive aspects of your life. And remember it's okay to focus on what's right with you. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and let your strengths guide you towards a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. So thank you for joining me on this exploration of celebrating our best and making healthy changes. Until next time, stay inspired and stay well.
Speaker 1:
Okay, what did you all think? I really enjoyed sharing this information with you and I hope you got a lot out of it and you're able to start applying it in your life. And, as always, if you have any comments, questions, I would love to hear from you. If you like what you hear, please subscribe to the podcast and share with your family and friends. You can also give me a rating and review. Wherever you listen to your podcast, it helps others find me as well.
Speaker 1:
To get updates on new episodes and wellness inspiration in your inbox, please join the Wellness-Inspired Community. Go to the WellnessInspiredPodcastcom to sign up. I'll put the link to the website in the show notes so you can click and join. Also, there's a Facebook community at the Wellness-Inspired and you can follow me on Instagram at wellness-inspired. If you're in the Houston area or just visiting and interested in our services acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, zanchiatsu or dry needling therapy contact us. You can find out more on our website 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 health and wellness coaching, we can connect in the clinic or on Zoom. Reach out to us and we'll get you on the schedule and, as always, I would love to hear your feedback. I am dedicated to bringing you great content that is inspiring and informative, with an artsy fun at G-SPIN. Thank you so much for listening. We'll meet here again next time and remember, never stop exploring, learning, loving and being you. Bye.