by Jeremy McCarthy, MAPP
When I moved to New York (over six years ago now) from Southern California, I experienced a significant cultural shift. I was moving from the laid back California beach culture to the hustle and bustle of New York city life. One of the first things that I noticed was that people here are far less likely to smile and make eye contact. This difference was even more noticeable because (more…)
The fall is officially here, and as the days get shorter and the TV lineup gets stronger, many of us will find ourselves “couch potato-ing” more than we’d like to. In the spirit of keeping us all on a healthy track, I thought I’d give you more mental ammunition to stay in action.
Here are the top 5 reasons why being a couch potato makes anyone more tired over the long run (and why you should stay as active as you can despite the pull of the couch!):
Read more
My first summer job was in a restaurant. Working in the public will teach you a lot about how different people think and act! One of the most memorable “lessons” I learned that summer came from a man whose family had thrown a surprise 25th wedding anniversary for him and his wife.
Read more
One of my coaching clients once asked me what I thought of using positive affirmations to lose weight. Will repeating “I am losing weight every day” to herself and posting “I love to eat healthy” on her fridge help her drop a jeans size? My answer? Yes, but mostly no.
Read more
In our last post, we mentioned that being in a generally perkier mood can help you feel more energetic to exercise. But if you understand the SaS Compass, you know that improved exercise is not all that a better mood can do for you. It can also lessen food cravings, reduce insomnia and help you feel more collaborative and creative. Much better side effects than any sleep, energy or appetite-related “magic” pills! 
So – ready for a few mood boosting tips? Here are my favorite 4.
What would be a great indicator that someone is remarkably healthy? Would running a marathon be proof enough? Don’t worry, I’m nowhere near ready for a marathon either, so that’s not where I’m going with this. Assuming running a marathon is a good benchmark, let’s push this idea a little farther. How would running a marathon after age 50 sound? How about after age 60? You get the idea: the older the marathon runner, the more remarkable the individual’s physical shape.
Can you guess the age of the oldest marathon runner in history? And what does that mean for you, regular person for whom running a marathon seems as likely as taking a ride on the back of a flying giraffe?
Read more
Have you ever taken the time to wonder who is the #1 person to help you celebrate good news? All too often, our spouses are too preoccupied, our family members are too busy, and our colleagues are too envious to give us genuine kudos for a job well done. Worse, some will even turn a good thing bad by responding with nasty little comments. You’ve probably heard things like “Good luck with all the late nights!” after you announced you were promoted to the next echelon at work? Yeah…
Read more
“Happier people live longer” is old news for us positive psychology fans. That happier people tend to be healthier is also something we’re now well aware of. While it’s already helpful to identify that happiness can support good health habits, I’d like to provide more explanation on why that is – and how to manage that process intentionally.
Read more
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, nearly 1 in 5 test cases reached their highest stress level 15 or more days per month. That trickles down to half of a person’s life if you extend it out for the full year. With the Holidays a few weeks away (yet another stressor!), here’s some guidance on how to manage stress in your life.
Read more
How satisfied are you with the results of your networking efforts, in general? Do you typically go back home energized from all these great connections you’ve made? If not, then check out these tips, and find out about a relevant blog that will turn you into a positive networker!
Read more
Marie-Josée Shaar received her undergrad at McGill University in Organizational Behavior, followed by a Master of Applied Positive Psychology at University of Pennsylvania. She's certified as a Wellness Culture Coach, a Personal Trainer, and a Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. She has spent the last 13 years studying, testing, coaching and teaching smart health habits, both nationally and internationally.
