Reframing Winter: A Journey of Perception

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer is joined by Dr. Kari Leibowitz, a health psychologist, speaker, and writer. Kari, who holds a PhD in social psychology from Stanford University, shares her insights on the power of mindsets and how they influence our health and well-being. She discusses her research on how people in the Arctic embrace winter, as well as her new book, How to Winter, which explores the opportunities that winter presents both literally and metaphorically.

As the episode is released on Thanksgiving, it serves as a timely reminder to shift our mindsets from viewing winter as a bleak season to one full of potential and joy. Kari shares practical strategies for embracing winter, such as focusing on the positive aspects of the season and adapting our routines to align with the natural rhythms of winter. She also delves into the broader application of these mindset shifts, offering insights on how to navigate personal "winters" in our lives, such as career setbacks or health challenges.

In this episode:

• Discover how mindsets influence our perception of winter and how to shift from a "winter is dreadful" to a "winter is wonderful" mindset.
• Learn practical strategies for embracing winter, including adapting to the season and finding joy in winter activities.
• Explore the metaphorical application of winter mindsets to personal challenges and how to find opportunities in adversity.
• Understand the power of rituals and how they can transform mundane tasks into meaningful experiences.
• Gain insights into the role of light and creativity, and how dim lighting can enhance creativity and intimacy.

00:00:00 - Introduction Melina Palmer introduces Dr. Kari Leibowitz and the topic of embracing winter mindsets.

00:02:00 - Kari's Background Kari shares her journey in health psychology and her research on winter mindsets in the Arctic.

00:10:00 - Winter Mindset Research Discussion on how people's mindsets about winter can influence their experience and well-being.

00:25:00 - Practical Strategies for Embracing Winter Kari shares tips for adapting to winter and finding joy in the season's unique opportunities.

00:35:00 - Metaphorical Winters Exploration of how winter mindsets can be applied to personal challenges and career setbacks.

00:45:00 - The Role of Rituals Discussion on how rituals can transform mundane tasks into meaningful experiences.

00:50:00 - Light, Creativity, and Intimacy Insights into how dim lighting can enhance creativity and intimacy.

00:55:00 - Conclusion What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn.

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Connect with Kari:

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Check out and get your copies of Melina’s Books. 

Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode:

• Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood
• Indistractable, by Nir Eyal
• How to Change, by Katy Milkman
• Happier Hour, by Cassie Holmes
• How to Winter, by Kari Leibowitz

Top Recommended Next Episode: Tapping into the Power of Habit (ep 368)

Already Heard That One? Try These: 

• Habits (ep 256)
• Status Quo Bias (ep 376)
• Katy Milkman Interview (ep 151)
• Wendy Wood Interview (ep 428)
• Sludge (ep 384)

Other Important Links: 

Brainy Bites - Melina’s LinkedIn Newsletter