Positively Living®: Do Less, Live More... Breathe Easier‪.‬ Lisa Zawrotny

Our mental health drives so many aspects of our lives and can either limit or lighten us. Thankfully, the more we understand it, the better we can tend to it, and the more likely we are to thrive. Holistic therapist Keri Cooper joins the podcast today to share how focusing on the physical foundations of wellness significantly impacts our mental health. This week, episode 207 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how when you focus on physical wellness, your mental health improves!
Keri Cooper, LCSW, is the owner of Keri Cooper Holistic Therapy in northern New Jersey. In her private practice, she counsels teens and works to give them the tools they need to navigate life. Keri takes a holistic approach to therapy, looking at the whole person, not just their symptoms. Keri is the author of Mental Health Uncensored: 10 Foundations Every Parent Needs To Know, a book designed to give parents steps on how to improve their child’s mental health. Her second book is a workbook for teens, Mental Health Uncensored: 10 Foundations Every Teen Needs To Know. She is a graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania and when Keri isn't busy working with teens, she is busy with her own four children and her flock of chickens. 
In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Keri shares the link between our physical and mental health and gives you actionable steps to take right now to use the 5 physical foundations we cover in this episode to improve your overall wellbeing. 
Keri and I cover the following topics:
Hydration: Often overlooked, it’s important for detoxification, focus, and whole-body health.Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for optimal functioning and emotional regulation.Nutrition: Nourishing your body and maintaining a healthy gut is necessary to produce the chemicals needed to thrive.Movement: Regular exercise that raises your heart rate (even for a short duration) is key to improving your health and getting into a good headspace. Meditation: Mindfulness practices that keep you in the moment help reduce anxiety and depression. These foundational practices may seem obvious yet many of us ignore the fundamentals when we need them most. The key to improving your mental health isn’t expensive or complex; it all comes down to the basics. 


CONNECT WITH KERI COOPER:
Website
Instagram
Mental Health Uncensored: 10 Foundations Every Parent Needs to Know
Mental Health Uncensored Teen Workbook: 10 Foundations Every Teen Needs to Know


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)

Check out the blog post for this episode to see all related podcast episodes. 


Dance Song Playlist V3

We often think of burnout as something obvious and big–where we cross a line and that’s it! We’re down for the count. But burnout is more nuanced than that and the early and more subtle signs can zip by us undetected, leading us to hit rock bottom and ask ourselves, “How did I get here?” This week, episode 206 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about the early signs of burnout that may surprise you!
In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I share how burnout is not something that only happens once, especially when constantly left untreated, and I offer actionable steps to take right now to spot it quicker so that you can come back from it fully and create a life that doesn’t welcome it.
I cover the following topics:
Defining burnout (physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion) and its cause (prolonged stress).6 early signs of burnout you’ll want to watch for. Examples of practices you can start today to check in with yourself regularly and detect burnout early on.  Consistent self-reflection is essential to spot differences in your behavior and pinpoint why these differences are happening. When you spot them early, you can adjust quickly, getting ahead of the burnout andboosting your overall well-being. 


Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/
Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)
Stress Management Episodes Playlist



Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3
Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny


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We often refer to all types of stress just as “stress” but there is a difference between eustress (good stress) and distress (bad stress). When we make this distinction, we’re able to clearly see how some stress can be a useful tool (is, in fact, necessary) for increasing productivity. This week, episode 205 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about why some stress actually helps you perform better. 


In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I share how different levels of stress impact our well-being and productivity and give you actionable steps to take right now to find the right balance of stress to get into a state of focus and flow.
I cover the following topics:
Stress itself is neither good nor bad, but our response to stressors determines whether or not it serves us.Examples of how stress can increase short-term performance and focus by boosting adrenaline. The Yerkes-Dodson law that shows us the relationship between arousal (i.e., stress) and performance. Types of arousal (mental, emotional, or physical) and factors that affect your level of arousal.   Like everything else, it all comes down to self-awareness. You will know when you’re in the optimal range of stress when your mental capacity, attentiveness, processing speed, and ability to learn and make decisions are at their best.  


Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/


Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity-related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)
Positively Productive Stress Management Episode Playlist



Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3
Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny


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Biophilic design is an incredible way to restore focus, enhance productivity and creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall wellness. The good news is, you may already be using it without even realizing it. Kasey Riley joins us today to share how this type of design, indicating a “love of life,” brings nature indoors and has a myriad of benefits. This week, episode 204 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about why bringing nature inside will help you focus better!
Kasey Riley is the Co-Founder and CMO of The Fat Plant Society, a biophilic design studio creating green walls and biophilic designs from real moss that doesn’t require watering or misting. They create with moss from American forests that’s hand-harvested with respect for the plant and its surroundings. Kasey and her husband Morten Klinte turned their love of all things green into a business that enhances interiors and the wellness of those who inhabit it.
In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Kasey shares the incredible benefits that come with going out into nature and alternatively, bringing nature inside. She gives actionable steps you can take right now to incorporate biophilic design into your home. 
Kasey and I cover the following topics:
The threads of history that show us how humans have always had an affinity to nature and a psychological pull to appreciate other forms of life.Scientifically proven mental health and cognitive benefits of being exposed to nature.  Dormant moss as a low expense, low maintenance way to bring nature into your home. We often underestimate the benefits of nature, but this conversation is a beautiful reminder of how we can use what is around us to increase our overall well-being. 
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of it to post in your stories and tag me! Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/
Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!


CONNECT WITH KASEY RILEY:
The Fat Plant Society
Instagram


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)
Ep 198: Notetaking Inspiration to Easily Organize Your Life with Emily Aborn
Ep 176: A Surprisingly Effective Alternative to Multi-tasking
Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny
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It’s amazing what a deep breath can do, especially when you’re feeling agitated or stressed. Jenny Cheifetz, a certified breathwork facilitator joins us to dive deep into how we can use breathwork as a tool to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and more. This week, episode 203 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how breathing can calm your body and better your mood!


Jenny Cheifetz is a certified breathwork facilitator and empowerment coach at Jentle Coaching. She helps women find peace, confidence, and self-love so they can finally feel good enough to course-correct toward happiness. She is a wife, mom of two teens and two dogs, native New Englander, and avid podcast listener.  


In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Jenny Cheifetz shares what breathwork is (and is not) and gives you actionable steps to take right now to use breathwork as a tool to manage your anxiety and mood. 


Jenny and I cover the following topics:
A glimpse into what a breathwork session with a facilitator may look like.How breathwork helps regulate the nervous system and manages energy. Simple breathwork techniques you can incorporate into your daily life. Suggested breathing patterns to help you boost your mood or calm anxiety, depending on what you need in the current moment.  Breathwork is a form of self-care and (as we have covered many times on the podcast before) self-care is a priority because YOU are a priority. 


Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!


If you’re a DIY dynamo looking for simplicity and productivity support, you’ll find it in the Positively Productive Resources Vault. It’s packed with the worksheets, checklists, workbooks, and recordings I use with clients. Go to http://www.positivelyproductive.com/podcastvault where the promo code PODCAST will give you a special listener discount.


CONNECT WITH JENNY CHEIFETZ:
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Spotify Playlist


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)
Mindfulness Practices to Help You Focus with Lindsay Coward | Positively Productive Systems LLC
Breathwork to Reduce Stress and Anxiety with Sarah Novak | Positively Productive Systems LLC


Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3
Music by Ian and Jeff Zawr

Dieting is a HUGE industry, and yet, 95% of diets don’t work. That’s because the diets pushed on us are often rooted in fear, guilt, and shame, masking themselves as a healthy lifestyle change that doesn’t hold up in the long term. Today’s guest Alisha Carlson found this out the hard way and set out to do better, helping women find balance while still reaching their goals. This week, episode 202 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about 7 reasons diets fail and what to do instead!


Alisha Carlson is a non-diet lifestyle coach for women. She uses a holistic approach to help her clients create food and time freedom, fitness, and overall lifestyle transformation without feeling deprived or restricted around food. She teaches women how to radically love themselves, their bodies, and their lives before they ever lose a pound by healing their relationship to food, exercise, their bodies, and themselves. 


In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Alisha Carlson shares how even with a background in exercise science and extensive knowledge of nutrition, she fell into the appeal of diet culture herself and she gives you actionable steps to take right now to approach dieting in a healthy, sustainable way.
Alisha and I cover the following topics:
Defining the word ‘diet’ (how it can be used as a noun and a verb, with different implications for each).7 reasons why diets often fail. Why it’s essential to reflect on your honest intentions around dieting.Steps you can take to approach diet in a realistic, healthy, and sustainable way.For productivity and dieting alike, understanding your why will drive you forward to find the right habits and the right way to do things for YOU.


If you’re a DIY dynamo looking for simplicity and productivity support, you’ll find it in the Positively Productive Resources Vault. It’s packed with the worksheets, checklists, workbooks, and recordings I use with clients. Go to http://www.positivelyproductive.com/podcastvault where the promo code PODCAST will give you a special listener discount.


CONNECT WITH ALISHA CARLSON:
Website
Instagram
The Strong(her) Way Podcast
The Strong(her) Way App


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
Facebook
Instagram
Resources
Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)
PLP: Ditch the Diet and Eat Intuitively with Megan Hadley
PLP: Give Yourself More with Georgie Fear
The Life Coach School Podcast
Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3
Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny


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