So many of us have been told to stop being so sensitive. So many of us believe that our sensitivity is a burden, something that needs to be fixed or corrected. But I am here to tell you that being highly sensitive is a gift! We have simply not been given the tools to manage this gift, we are not told that it has so many amazing qualities. In this episode I dive into the incredible beauty of feeling everything so deeply. Proudly stepping into our sensitive nature will lift the heavy burden we can feel from being so aware of and affected by everything.

In this episode I try to unpack anxiety: why it happens, how we can become friends with it, tools we can use to reduce it and why its important to embrace uncertainty. Since the pandemic hit we have seen unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety so it's important that we talk about it, acknowledge it and even express gratitude towards. Anxiety is not our enemy, it is not something we need to get rid of, it is something that wants to protect us and we can get curious about it instead of pushing it away. Worry, fear and uncertainty are a part of life. Once we become more comfortable with them and let go of this illusion of control we will realize that in the unknown lies infinite potential.

In todays episode I dive into one of the most important aspects of our lives: our sleep. We all know that sleep is important but recent studies are revealing that it's even more important than we thought. Sleep plays a role not only in restoring our body but in learning, memory and mood. I go into detail on how much sleep is crucial if we want to function optimally and ways in which we can maximize the quality of our sleep. So whether you struggle with feeling chronically fatigued, or you suffer from insomnia or you just want to make sure you are getting the most out of your zz's this episode is for you!

In this episode I explore the five elements according to traditional Chinese medicine: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water. We each contain a combination of these 5 elements but there is always one that is particularly dominant. Figuring out what element type you are is a powerful way to better understand yourself and what you can do to improve your health and wellness. Ultimately knowing which element is most TRUE TO YOU will help you live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life!

Some online quizzes that may help guide you if one particular element does not stand out for you after listening to the episode:

https://acupunctureinvermont.com/5-element-quiz/

https://learnthefiveelements.com/5-elements-quiz/

https://soniaperezchinesemedicine.com/the-5-element-body-quiz/

In this weeks episode I discuss how important play is for us as adults and our emotional and mental wellbeing. Playing has so many benefits but it is something we stop making a priority especially during times of great stress. Let's move past this notion that play is a waste of time because in reality it is the exact opposite: it's a chance for us to feel lighthearted, to laugh, to boost our mood, to increase our sense of vitality and ultimately to feel a momentary sense of freedom!

In this episode I talk about an inevitable part of living life: getting hurt. Not surprisingly a lot of the coping mechanisms we use in an attempt to get rid of the pain are actually just temporarily distracting us from it or simply numbing it before it will return. I go over some of the unhealthy ways in which I have dealt with pain from being hurt in the past and outline several healthy ways to properly process and move through being hurt. We cannot control the actions of others but we can determine how we react and respond. This episode discusses the ways in which you can do that and not only be okay after getting hurt but to thrive and become a more empowered person.

In this episode I discuss a very important aspect of living a fulfilled life: identifying and living in alignment with our core values.

Once we have determined our values they can help guide our actions and act as a compass in creating a life that will be in alignment with them. When we are living in alignment with our values we feel good, when we aren't we feel bad. It's really that simple.

This link will take you to a list of core values so you can begin to determine your core 3-5 values. Write them down, have them visible and refer back to them often so that you can begin to live a life of integrity!

https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Values.pdf

In this episode I discuss how ego plays a role in feeling hypersensitive, reactive and emotionally explosive. All of these things are the perfect recipe for a breakdown which is exactly what happened to me last week. I unpack why this happens, what makes us more susceptible to it and how we can become more aware of when our ego is stepping into the drivers seat. I go on to discuss ways in which we can live from a place free of our ego and step into living from our truest self: our soul. By living through soul we can not only feel at peace with ourselves but restore our relationships with others and with our beautiful planet.