The Habit Thrive Podcast ~ Self Care Habits, Mindfulness & Wellness Routines for Women 50 & Beyond

Welcome, Habit Thrivers, to a special Spring Forward episode of the Habit Thrive Podcast. On Episode #37 this week, I am going to give some tips for making Daylight Saving Time flow more seamlessly into our routines. I know that some of you may find the time change to be a cinch … but if you’re like me, you take at least a few days to feel “normal” again! But with a few tips and tricks, you can st...

Hey there, Habit Thrivers, and welcome to March! To me, the beginning of March is like turning a corner from winter into spring. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely enjoy a lot of things about winter: going snowshoeing or participating in activities and sports centered around the snow making (and eating!) hearty soups, stews and breads snuggling under a warm blanket with a hot cup of tea or coffee Bu...

Hello, Habit Thrivers! This is our final episode for the month of February and the last episode centering around Whole Heart Living. Today, on Episode #35 of the Habit Thrive Podcast, we are talking about and Opening and Aligning our Heart Chakra. For me, the Heart Chakra is one of the most accessible chakras to open, balance and relate to. It’s easy to physically feel our heart opening up through...

This month on the Habit Thrive Podcast, we have been talking all about our hearts. <3 We kicked off this season of hearts by figuring out what “whole heart health” means to us. We explored the physical side of heart health that everyone recognizes: Anatomy, physiology, valves and blood flow. We also talked about the equally important emotional side of heart health and how negative emotions like...

Welcome, Habit Thrivers, to week 2 of Whole Heart Living here on the Habit Thrive Podcast. Last week, I asked what whole heart living means to you. Did you get a chance to think about it? Sometimes, we find ourselves focused on one aspect of our heart. A yearly visit to our doctor has us thinking about our physical heart. A death in the family has us focused on our emotional heart. The beginning o...

February is a month full of hearts… Chocolate hearts, candy hearts, paper garland hearts, and heart-shaped cards. And in the spirit of that tradition, we’re celebrating hearts this month on the Habit Thrive Podcast in our own way. We’re kicking off our theme of Whole Heart Living today by thinking about what “whole heart living” means to us. When we think about heart health, we usually picture the...

Well, Habit Thrivers, we have made it through the January blues and to the last episode of this month’s podcast! So give yourself a pat on the back for pushing forward, listening to your body and (I hope) finding new ways to just feel better. Today, I’m reflecting back to the first episode this month, where we talked about the “push-and-pull” feeling we all get after the holidays that we either ne...

Welcome back, Habit Thrivers! In the Habit Thrive Podcast’s first episode of 2023, we talked about how some of us come into the New Year feeling like we need to hunker down and take a breather. But sometimes, we experience more than just low energy in this first month of the year: Anxiety Trouble sleeping Sadness Exhaustion This week on our 30th episode, we are exploring How to Feel Better when yo...

We kicked off the month of January last week by talking about the importance of having balance: A little activity, and a little rest. This week, on Episode #29 of The Habit Thrive Podcast, we are going to focus on the “rest” side of the balancing scales. There are many ways you can rest besides just taking a nap or lounging in your favorite chair. You can rest your eyes by taking a break from scre...

Hey there, Habit Thrivers! It’s a new year, a new month and a new episode of the Habit Thrive Podcast. And, today, we’re talking about knowing When to Rest & when to Move in Your Next Chapter. As you enter into this new year/post holiday time, most of you will find yourselves falling into one of two categories: You just spent a whirlwind month (or more!) with your planner packed with activitie...

Happy New Year! And welcome to the fifth and final episode for the month of December. This month on The Habit Thrive Podcast, we have been exploring our Habit of Stress. Today, we are going to wrap up that discussion by Harnessing our Stress for an Awesome 2023! As many of you are no doubt contemplating New Years resolutions or even just thoughts of where you want your life to head in the next yea...

Merry Christmas, Habit Thrivers! And welcome to Episode #26 of The Habit Thrive Podcast. In today’s episode - Part 4 of our series on The Habit of Stress - I have a very special treat for you! I will be sharing a recording from my dear friend and colleague Suzanne Mongrain-Smith, a registered yoga teacher, secondary-school music and drama teacher, mentor to many and accomplished recording artist....

To recap this month on The Habit Thrive Podcast, we have been talking about our Habit of Stress. We kicked off the series by looking at the components of the Habit Loop created by Charles Duhigg. We used this approach to recognize the habits associated with our stress, reframe them and as a result bring more joy and peace into our lives. Last week, I interviewed Nikki Gangemi, entrepreneur and cre...

Last week on The Habit Thrive Podcast, we began December by talking about our Habit of Stress and how we can reframe our stressful thoughts in order to bring about more peace and joy. This week, we are continuing to talk about how to take that stress and transform it into something positive. On today’s special episode, I’m talking with Nikki Gangemi, entrepreneur and creator of the CALM™ Method: 4...

This month on The Habit Thrive Podcast, we are going to shine a light on what I like to call our Habit of Stress. I know it seems a little odd to be focusing on stress during the season of joy, peace and celebration - even I did a little double-take looking at the word “stress” on my podcast calendar. But, by exploring the idea that our stress response could be habit based ( at least sometimes) I...

It’s bedtime. The lights are out. The bed is cozy. The temperature is perfect. You snuggle in with your head on the nice, cool pillow. And then… Your brain starts its nightly banter: Did I remember to put eggs on the grocery list? What time is the party on Friday? Have I given the dog her medicine this month? Why didn’t Jim at work say anything about the Christmas gift exchange? I need to get an o...

Hey there, Habit Thrivers! In today's episode we dive into the concept of how a "good day's waking leads to a good night's sleeping" ( Dr. Andrew Weil). As soon as we open our eyes in the morning, we are preparing for a good night's sleep.  I know it seems strange but honestly, if you move through your day thinking about your "future sleeping self" it impacts your thoughts and the decisions t...

We've all been here: Waking up the morning after a not-so-great night's sleep feeling sluggish, grumpy … maybe even a little regretful. You think back to the night before, when you got caught up in a Netflix series until way past your bedtime. Maybe it seemed like a good idea at the time, but the lack of planning and a nightly sleep routine has left your body craving some energy and you paying the...

Often, in our busy and rushed lives, we look at sleep as something that needs to be done. Almost like a chore. How many times have you looked at the clock in the evening, thought about all the things you had on your to-do list, and said, “I have got to get to sleep…”? STOP thinking of sleep as something you have to “get to” and start thinking of something you “surrender to.” That’s step one of thi...

This week, on Episode #18 of the HabitThrive Podcast, we are wrapping up our month of Gratitude with a big bow. In the past few weeks, we’ve been learning how gratitude is a powerful tool that we can turn into an even more powerful habit. In our wrap-up episode, we’re driving home one of the most important things to remember: Gratitude is a practice … The more we practice it, the more we benefit f...

This month on the Habit Thrive Podcast, we have been talking about Gratitude. We’ve explored the power of gratitude, how to flex our “gratitude muscles” and all about making gratitude a habit. This week, on Episode #17, I talk about how gratitude can be a powerful part of our toolbox during challenging times. It’s easy to find gratitude when the skies are blue, the birds are singing and everything...

In this week’s episode I address the questions: Can a gratitude practice really become a habit? and Can it be as easy as brushing your teeth? The answer is absolutely! Especially if you follow the habit loop system (Cue - Routine - Reward) first described in the book, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg  Also have a peek at his book for interesting historical snippets such as how the habit o...

You may have heard the saying, "What you focus on grows." When you focus your attention and energy into positive things, you invite even more positivity and happiness into your life. This week on Episode 15 of The Habit Thrive Podcast, we focus on opening our eyes to the beauty and blessings around us and perhaps snapping a photo or two to savour these blessings even longer.   So, what are th...

What are you grateful for? It could be something as simple as the transition into cooler, crisp fall weather or the fact that you finally perfected your chicken soup recipe. It could be something bigger like the birth of a child in your family, a promotion at work or the purchase of a new home. This month of October on The Habit Thrive Podcast, we are focusing on gratitude. And in Episode #14 toda...

As September comes to a close and we recall the past few episodes of the Habit Thrive Podcast focusing on Planning Happiness, I have one big question for you: Are you happy? Right now, right here, are you happy? Is that even an option for you in the present moment? Maybe. Maybe not. If not, then that’s OK. Because even with all of the tips, exercises and practices we explored this month, we can’t...