The Growth Kit

Listen on Spotify , Apple , Amazon Music , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on YouTube . Read The Article: Psychological Nutrition (Part 2) Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit HQ): ⁠⁠Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram (The Growth Kit)⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠ Affiliate Disclosure

In the long run, hitting the lottery won’t make you happier (in fact, 50% of people feel worse after just 3 years), moving to the perfect climate won’t guarantee perpetual bliss, and the high from that promotion will be gone in no time. So what will bring happiness? As unsexy as it sounds, true and lasting happiness comes from cultivating "psychological nutrition"—essential habits and knowledge th...

Pushing your limits in the gym or outside on a run is a fantastic way to build strength and endurance. Reaping the benefits requires rest, but the old way of thinking is that all you can do is rest. The good news is, that thanks to research in the field of sports medicine, there's more you can do besides waiting it out. This article dives into a range of science-backed strategies to optimize y...

This Bonus episode features my sister, Meredith Comly, and her son, Flynn, as they sit down with Christina Mallon, a trailblazer in the world of inclusive design. Meredith reached out with the idea to talk to Christina, a former classmate, about her inspiring journey. Christina opens up about her diagnosis, the many obstacles she's overcome, and the powerful ways she’s working to reshape the world...

In this episode, we dive into the lost tradition of family dinners. Despite their proven benefits—stronger bonds, reduced stress, and lower risks of unhealthy behaviors—only 30% of families have them regularly. We'll explore why they're so important, the science behind the benefits, and practical strategies to make family dinners a lasting habit, even in a busy world. Join me as we break down why...

Here are 7 reasons to get your feet touching sand and water, according to science. Listen on Spotify , Apple , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 7 Surprising Health Benefits Of The Beach Things Mentioned: I'm a new convert using my Bon Charge Red Light Device when I can't get to a sunrise or sunset. Bon Charge Mini Red Light Therapy De...

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects 5% to 16.5% of the population , causing challenges in how individuals interpret sensory input. As an occupational therapist and a parent of two children with different sensory needs, I’ve seen firsthand how SPD impacts daily life. One child is a sensory seeker, constantly craving input, while the other is avoidant, overwhelmed by too much stimuli. Once you...

Nowadays, good sleep feels harder to come by. Over a third of U.S. adults sleep less than seven hours a night, which leads to cognitive issues, mood swings, weight gain, and even serious health risks like diabetes and cancer—not to mention the thousands of car crashes linked to drowsy driving each year. With sleep being so critical, many turn to natural sleep aids as a safer prescription alternati...

One hour, I might walk into a session with a young athlete recovering from a car accident, their once lightning-fast reflexes now struggling to catch a ball. The next, I work with a middle-aged adult grappling with the fog of cognitive decline, their memories, attention, and processing speed just a fraction of what they were. Though separated by decades and causes—a jarring impact, a silent stroke...

Lessons I learned in my job as an OT, able to be applied to life. Listen on  Spotify ,  Apple ,  Amazon Music ,  iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 10 Life Lessons I Learned As An Occupational Therapist: Part 4 Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit HQ): ⁠⁠Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram (Th...

Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, yet it's also one of the most misunderstood. From its effects on heart health to myths about dehydration and the elusive 'lethal dose,' misconceptions about caffeine are widespread. In exploring these 21 common misunderstandings, much of the information presented draws heavily on a comprehensive review published in the Journal of...

What to know to improve your vision. Debunking myths and providing practical strategies. Listen on Spotify , Apple , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 6 Natural Ways To Improve Your Vision & Eye Health Things Mentioned: Hit the minimum effective dose of exercise ( lifting , walking , HIIT , and Zone 2 ). A 2020 study involving more than 10...

Today‘s guest is someone I was really looking forward to talking to: Dean Stott. Dean is a former British Special Forces soldier who served in the Special Boat Service (also known as the SBS). After a career-ending parachuting accident, he transitioned to the private sector. He became renowned for handling high-risk situations such as when he evacuated the Canadian Embassy in Libya. He later set t...

Today I’m joined by Emily Cherkin, the author of The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family . Emily is a former teacher, screen-time expert, advocate, and the author of The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family . Today on the show, Emily unpacks the alarming statistics of screen time use and the consequences, why...

Discover 8 foods that modern society doesn’t consider unhealthy but which actually are. Listen on Spotify , Apple , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 8 “Healthy” Foods That Aren’t Healthy Things Mentioned: Granola: DIY: Make your own granola using organic oats, nuts and seeds (pumpkin, pecan, and cashews for example), dark chocolate, coconut f...

Studies reveal that over 50% of people mistakenly believe cognitive decline is simply a function of getting older. This misconception can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing people to disengage from mentally stimulating activities, physical activity, and socialization. The good news? Your brain is more adaptable than you might think. Listen for a research-based dive into practical strategi...

The importance of sleep is undeniable It improves everything from our thinking to our physical function to our longevity. Still, 35.2% of adults in the U.S. get less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night and nearly 40% of adults unintentionally fall asleep during the day each month. In the last decade, I’ve put a lot of focus into my sleep optimization and learned a lot in the process...

It all starts on the inside with the care we take to manage stress, eat right, and limit the harmful effects of fluctuating blood sugar levels, excess alcohol, and high toxic loads of inflammation and toxins. But protecting the skin from the outside is also important, particularly when we choose then apply the right products since some can be more detrimental than beneficial. Listen on Spotify , A...

Yes, you’re going to die.  But aside from a chance accident killing you, you have a lot of control over your lifespan and your healthspan.  Unfortunately, the latest trendy supplement or the recent diet fad isn’t going to have much impact.  What will, is the unsexy stuff that you do consistently.  These generally fall into the six dimensions of health: stress management, movement, nutrition, socia...

Following Part 1 and P art 2 , this is the third installment of the teachings of my job. Listen on  Spotify ,  Apple ,  Amazon Music ,  iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 10 Life Lessons I Learned As An Occupational Therapist: Part 3 Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit HQ): ⁠⁠Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBo...

As parents, we understand that raising children comes with constant challenges. Even the most well-behaved kids can create chaos at times. Our reactions to their behavior, whether through words, body language, or momentary decisions, can greatly influence their mood, behavior, our relationship with them, and even our own health . In order to raise resilient kids, parents continuously learn and ref...

Low back pain is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle adhesions and chronic inflammation. While this duo can be tricky to deal with, there are steps you can take to manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Start by implementing lifestyle changes such as lowering your body fat percentage, prioritizing sleep quality, eating an anti-inflammatory diet,...

The gut microbiome is a thriving community of trillions of microorganisms, each playing a vital role in maintaining our overall health. It's only been in recent years that we've recognized the importance of the gut microbiome, a vast community of microorganisms in our digestive system.  While research is still in its infancy, we now know that a high microbial diversity in the gut is linked...

You can either use breathwork as a tool or you can be used by it.  Breathwork techniques are a powerful way to support both your mental and physical health.  Pick an approach and then move on to another until you find one you like.  Start by using it when you’re relaxed and not distracted.  Practice it often.   Then, when you’re looking to engage your sympathetic nervous system (for a quick pick-m...

When patients come seeking advice on the "best" supplements, the latest fitness gear, and hopping on trendy diets while neglecting the fundamentals, it raises red flags. I consistently return to two fundamental questions: Why? What's the underlying purpose and goal? Are you hitting the basics? In essence, are they stepping over dollars to pick up pennies? If they're investing in...