134. Small Habits to Change Your Life with Liz Moody
Jan 16, 2024
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Liz Moody, author and podcast host, shares valuable insights on integrating small changes into our lives for meaningful transformation. They discuss the challenges and benefits of living a nomadic lifestyle, the evolution of the wellness industry, breaking promises to oneself, the power of small habits, learning from past failures, and practical tips for incorporating small habits into daily life.
Focusing on the positives and appreciating the wonderful aspects of oneself can bring contentment and perspective.
Meaningful transformation comes from committing to small, sustainable actions aligned with personal values.
Taking moments of stillness and allowing oneself to do nothing can benefit the brain and enhance creative thinking.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Value of Small Changes
It is not necessary to completely change your entire life as there are aspects of it that are positive and enjoyable. Focusing on the good things in your life can provide a sense of perspective and contentment. Instead of seeking to change everything, it is essential to appreciate and embrace the wonderful aspects of yourself.
Embracing Mindful Actions for Lasting Change
Meaningful transformation does not come from purchasing products or quick fixes. Rather, it involves committing to small, intentional actions that can be sustained in the long term. It is crucial to keep promises to yourself and build self-trust by starting with achievable goals. By understanding the reasons behind your habits and aligning them with your personal values, you can create sustainable positive changes in your life.
Recognizing the Benefits of Doing Nothing
Taking moments of stillness and allowing yourself to do nothing can have significant benefits for your brain. These moments of pause and emptiness give your neurons a chance to reset and make new connections. Embracing these opportunities for quiet reflection, such as during a stoplight or other brief moments, can allow your brain to think more creatively and holistically.
Summary of the podcast episode
In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss various strategies and insights for making positive changes in life. One key idea is the importance of setting bite-sized goals instead of trying to change your entire life all at once. The guest shares examples of how breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can lead to greater success and motivation. They also explore the concept of temptation bundling, which involves pairing activities you enjoy with tasks you find challenging. This technique can help make the difficult tasks more manageable and rewarding. The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, reframing negative self-talk, and finding intrinsic and extrinsic rewards to support habit formation and self-improvement.
Micro workouts and cold showers as actionable tips
The podcast episode suggests several actionable tips that listeners can implement to make positive changes in their lives. One of these tips is incorporating micro workouts throughout the day, such as a five-minute walk every hour or quick exercises like squats and jumping jacks. These micro workouts offer numerous benefits, including enhanced creativity, improved mood, and increased glucose regulation. Another tip discussed in the episode is taking cold showers. While cold exposure has gained attention in wellness circles, there are potential benefits to balancing dopamine levels and finding pleasure in challenging situations. The episode also highlights the power of anticipation and planning, suggesting creating a list of enjoyable activities to turn to during interstitial moments. Lastly, the host and guest emphasize the importance of self-talk, self-compassion, and reframing past experiences as opportunities for growth and learning.
“If you are stacking your day with so many habits and routines that you don't have any time to sit and just be or to enjoy your life or to play or to run into spontaneity, that's not wellness.”
In this episode, we explore how integrating small changes into your life and building small habits can help us lead richer, more rewarding lives. Our guest today is Liz Moody, host of the top-rated “The Liz Moody Podcast” and author of the book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success.” In this deeply insightful conversation, Liz is sharing her own wellness journey, what she’s learned along the way, and giving us actionable tips we can use to cultivate meaningful change.
