Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, a neuroscience expert and author, shares her insights on cultivating hope and positivity as the new year begins. She discusses practical strategies for overcoming anxiety and finding joy amid challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of building supportive communities and accountability buddies in personal growth. Alexis also emphasizes transforming habits for a fresh start and the role of daily routines in enhancing mental well-being. Tune in for actionable tips to thrive in 2025!
Recognizing and focusing on one's purpose can significantly shift mindset from negativity to positivity, enhancing motivation and resilience.
Cultivating hope involves limiting negative media exposure and fostering authentic connections while setting realistic, incremental goals for positivity.
Deep dives
Finding Purpose Amidst Challenges
Everyone has a purpose, even if it feels unrealized, which can be a significant motivator in daily life. Recognizing this purpose, whether it is to bring joy to others or to fulfill personal goals, can transform one’s mindset from a negative to a positive outlook. Keeping this sense of purpose at the forefront helps individuals combat feelings of anxiety and sadness often associated with returning to work or facing harsh realities. By focusing on meaningful actions and interactions, it becomes easier to restructure daily life into something fulfilling that encourages a hopeful perspective.
Harnessing the Power of Hope
Hope can be cultivated and is essential for fostering a more optimistic outlook on life. To effectively nurture hope, individuals should aim to limit their consumption of media that instills negativity and seek genuine connections with others. This involves creating opportunities for authentic conversations, which can enhance feelings of bonding and positivity. Additionally, it’s vital to set realistic goals and start small, allowing gradual building of habits that encourage positivity, rather than overwhelming oneself with unattainable expectations.
Building Habits for Long-Term Change
Establishing and sticking to new habits involves practical strategies such as habit stacking, which consists of integrating new behaviors into existing routines. This method is effective because it leverages established actions, making it easier to incorporate additional positive behaviors over time. For example, linking taking medication with taking vitamins can create a smoother transition into more health-conscious routines. Moreover, approaching new goals with patience and focusing on incremental changes can lead to lasting improvements in well-being and a more hopeful outlook towards the future.
Headlines: The latest on the LA fires, new data shows Aussies wages up, Birkenstock sues copycats, and Bluey Lego will hit shelves by the end of this year!
Deep dive: The new year often comes with a range of emotions - you might be feeling relaxed and revitalised or you might be feeling a little anxious and overwhelmed at the year that lies ahead.
But how can we balance the bad with genuine optimism?
As part of The Briefing’s series on starting 2025 right, we’re exploring how to cultivate hope and resilience this year.
In this episode, Chris Spyrou chats with Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, author, neuroscience expert, and host of the hit podcast Do You Fucking Mind, to talk through some practical strategies for finding joy and staying positive this year.