Opt to Thrive
Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and the punch in the face that was the midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive.
Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician with a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the plethora of contradictory information targeted at perimenopausal and menopausal women and recognising the gap in medicine that has been identified GLOBALLY in managing women going through it she strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for the answers.
Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform.
Opt to Thrive
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - Self Care (With a Cheesy Christmas Movie?)
The holidays are here, and it's time to embrace all things festive—like cheesy Christmas movies! In this episode, I’m confessing a little guilty pleasure of mine: sinking into a feel-good Christmas movie when I’ve got some downtime. And no, I’m not talking about Die Hard (as much as my husband might disagree!). I’m talking about those sweet, predictable rom-coms, small-town love stories, and heartwarming tales of people discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
But here’s the real question: Why do so many of us love them so much, even though the acting can be, well, a bit cheesy and the plotlines pretty predictable? In this episode, I dig into why watching these films can actually be a form of self-care.
🎄 Why Christmas Movies = Stress Relief
The holiday season can be a time of chaos and overwhelm. Christmas movies offer a short, comforting escape to a predictable world of joy, love, and happy endings. I explore how these movies can act as a mental reset, helping to unwind, reduce anxiety, and fill us with positive emotions.
🎄 The Role of Nostalgia Bias
Ever notice how watching a Christmas movie makes you feel all the feels? It turns out, there’s a psychological phenomenon at play here: nostalgia bias. I share some of my own personal memories of Christmas—both the good and the challenging—and how they’ve shaped my love for the season. Spoiler: Nostalgia bias is what makes our memories shine brighter and makes us crave the comfort of those holiday traditions.
🎄 The Science Behind the Joy
When you watch Christmas movies, your brain lights up with feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin. I explain how these movies trigger emotional responses, making us feel warm, connected, and, well... merry.
Whether you’re in the snow or soaking up the sun in the Southern Hemisphere, this episode is a reminder to take a little time for yourself this season. Whether it’s watching your favorite Christmas movie, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying the small joys, it’s all part of the self-care we all need.
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season, filled with peace, joy, and some cheesy Christmas movie magic. 🎅🎄
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