Integrated Being Dr. Elizabeth Cook

"A big part of finding your joy is truly identifying what you want in life." Integrated Being is a space where I share about finding your joy & the habits that you can use to create an intentional life. Whether it's the value of setting goals, choosing the right resources, or scheduling time in your day to learn, we dive into ways of applying knowledge and reflecting and adjusting along the way. The power of continuous learning is an integral habit & its power is found in fostering personal growth and setting yourself up for success. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I share my continuous learning journey and 5 ways to embrace continuous learning as a lifestyle.

Did you know there are major health benefits to getting outdoors every day? Whether it’s a lush forest, a serene local park, or your garden, nature has a way of calming our minds and restoring our bodies. Some studies show that being in nature can lower your cortisol levels, the stress hormone in the body. If we live with elevated cortisol levels from daily stresses and don’t actively find ways to decrease these levels daily, we are contributing to the inflammatory load in our bodies that can lead to various health issues over time. Being in nature doesn’t always have to be a bright, sunny day. Simply being exposed to daylight first thing in the morning, even on an overcast day, helps regulate our circadian rhythms to optimize better sleep patterns. Beauty can be found in all types of weather once you commit to getting outside every day. Today on the blog & podcast, let’s explore the benefits of nature and how to make it a priority in your everyday life.

The last 6 months have triggered a lot of change for myself and my family. As I’ve shared these changes with my community, I’ve been asked a series of similar questions, all wondering how I've managed to stay grounded amidst the changes and find joy and connection throughout the journey. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 8 ways I’ve fostered joy and found a connection in life, regardless of the changing circumstances. Within 5 days I changed my job and bought a new home because I was able to stay aligned with my values and develop the continual awareness to see when things needed to be changed. The 8 ways listed below will create a lifestyle that aligns yourself with your ambitions and equips you to tackle the challenges that life brings in your path.

Have you ever made this observation? One of my favorite coaches, Gabby Bernstein, commented recently that, “Rejection is protection.” This reminded me of the idea that our yes’s and immersed within seas of no’s. So often when we see a door close, we find on the other side that it was steering us towards something better. Have you ever made this observation? If you are not uncomfortable, you are not growing. The mindset of rejection is protection enables us to see rejection not as a failure or setback but rather as a form of guidance. Rather than seeing life as winning and losing, we can see it as winning and learning. While still making room for the emotional heaviness that can come from various forms of rejection. Today on the blog & podcast, let’s explore this idea of rejection and how to use it as a tool to foster personal growth.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I’ve been reflecting upon how it’s all connected lately. When you scan all the articles about what successful people do or even what not to do, you start to see similarities across all genres. It all comes down to what you put on, in, and around your body. From mindset to physical health and nourishing your spirit, we can all benefit form gaining awareness of what we can do or change to realign ourselves and feel our best this year. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 3 New Year’s resolutions you need to make this year to live your healthiest, most joyful life. 

What’s your purpose? As we navigate the end of another year, I want to reflect upon the power of identifying the value of your work, especially around the art of gifting to others. In a world where the value of work is often qualified in monetary terms, it’s important to step back and see the value in your broader impact of the creative work you do. It’s been a season of change for me and I’ve been deep diving into where my vision and goals take me while bringing clarity to what motivates me to find and bring joy to those around me. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 4 steps to recognize the value of your work beyond the tangible effects to see the greater impact around you. 

Beyond enhancing personal fulfillment, bringing awareness to the value of your work will impact how you engage with others. It can lead to creating a life that blends your work and personal lives in such a way that maximizes your ability to experience and give joy to those around you.