Well Balanced

In continued celebration of National Wellness Month, Ofosu and Leah (and some special guests) want to help you make wellness a priority in your life. So each week in August, they’ll announce a new wellness challenge for you to try with them. This week, Ofosu and Leah talk with money expert Danetha Doe about how to set financial priorities and goals with a positive mindset—and without overwhelm. They also reveal the second Wellness Month challenge. Tune in next Monday to hear how the challenge went for them, and don’t forget to share your experience, too. You can email a voice memo to wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. Or you can participate when prompted on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, or you can even tag @balance on a post on your personal account. The more you participate, the more you increase your chances to be featured in next week's episode! More about Danetha: Danetha Doe is an economist, award-winning TV host, and the creator of Money & Mimosas. Her mission is to have deeper conversations about money, and she believes it is possible to build wealth in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Find her Money Date Checklist here: https://www.moneyandmimosas.com/moneydate And you can learn more about her work on her website — https://danethadoe.com/  — or her blog — https://www.moneyandmimosas.com/About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by the expert meditation coaches of Balance. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 3 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store.

In celebration of National Wellness Month, Ofosu and Leah (and some special guests) want to help you make wellness a priority in your life. So each week in August, they’ll announce a new wellness challenge for you to try with them.This week, Ofosu and Leah discuss the impact listening to music—and dancing to it—can have on your mood and reveal the first Wellness Month challenge. Tune in next Monday to hear how the challenge went for them, and don’t forget to share your experience, too. You can email a voice memo to wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. Or you can participate when prompted on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, or you can even tag @balance on a post on your personal account. The more you participate, the more you increase your chances to be featured in next week's episode!About Balance:Well Balanced is co-hosted by the expert meditation coaches of Balance. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 3 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store.

Inspired by actress Drew Barrymore's recent video of herself laughing in the rain, Ofosu and Leah talk about the importance of celebrating the little things in life. They also share the science behind why we often underestimate these small moments and don't fully appreciate them until after they have passed. And they discuss practical tips for how to be more present, practice gratitude, and find joy in the everyday."How to create a good old day" is the episode Ofosu mentions, where listeners sent in ordinary moments they'll remember forever. Listen here. About Balance:Well Balanced is co-hosted by the expert meditation coaches of Balance. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 3 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store.

There are times when all of us—even celebrities—need to set boundaries. In light of Shawn Mendes's recent announcement to postpone his tour to focus on his mental health, Ofosu and Leah talk about the challenges and importance of setting boundaries in their own lives. They also discuss how to recognize when you're not feeling right and share practical tips for how to say no politely to protect your mental well-being.

About 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, according to the CDC. But Ofosu and Leah (and a few kids!) have a solution you might remember from childhood: the bedtime story. Learn the science of how bedtime stories can work to help anyone fall asleep, and hear about the making of Sleep Journeys, Balance's new take on bedtime stories. More about Sleep Journeys:Sleep Journeys, available in the Balance app, are relaxing, richly imagined tales that combine gentle visualization with nature sounds. Each one features a sleepy adventure that changes a little every night, giving troubled sleepers new sights and sounds to enjoy.

Ofosu and Leah talk with award-winning medical reporter Sophie Scott about how her experience with burnout led to a habit of daily meditation. She shares the science behind forming healthy habits, like why consistency is more effective than intensity, and how to use habit-forming strategies like pairing and rewarding. More about Sophie: Sophie Scott is an award-winning medical reporter, associate professor, and author of the books "Roadtesting Happiness" and "Live a Longer Life." Her mission is to use the latest science to empower people to help themselves feel great physically and mentally every day. You can learn more about her work on her website — https://www.sophiescott.com.au/  — or follow her on Instagram @SophieScott2

Many of us deflect, dismiss, or downplay the compliments we receive, instead of simply accepting the praise. Ofosu and Leah discuss the psychology behind this and share strategies to build our self-esteem. So the next time someone sends kind words our way, we can say thank you, period—and mean it.

In celebration of World Productivity Day, Leah talks with Jessica Holsman, who is an expert in helping people become more productive without sacrificing their health and happiness. Learn practical tips for approaching your days with intention, increasing your overall productivity, and maintaining a healthy balance in your life.More about Leah's Meditation Teacher Training:Find all the details at https://www.leahsantacruz.com/mtt   More about Jessica: Jessica Holsman is a best-selling author, content creator, entrepreneur, and speaker, specializing in helping people maximize their productivity and enhance their well-being. You can learn more on her website — www.studywithjess.com — and you can pre-order her new book here: https://amzn.to/3PK25hD

Leah talks to her husband, yoga instructor Paul Teodo, about how moving your body can benefit your mind. Learn how even easy exercises can have a significant effect on your mood and overall well-being.Find out more about Paul and Leah's Meditation Teacher Training at https://www.leahsantacruz.com/mtt More about Paul:Paul Teodo is a yoga and meditation teacher and musician.  Named the #1 Yoga Teacher in Los Angeles in 2016 by the Culture Trip, he leads classes, workshops, and retreats around the world. Follow him on Instagram @teodoyogaguitar

Teens’ mental health is declining, with 44% of U.S. high school students now reporting "persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness,” according to the CDC. Determined to help, Ofosu recently co-led a meditation retreat for teenagers. He talks to Leah about his experience and shares what we can all learn from it.