My podcast guest, Julie Potiker, shares mindfulness tools that will help you become calmer, happier, and more at peace!
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Julie Potiker is a mindfulness expert with extensive certifications and teacher training in a variety of tools and methods, including Mindful Self-Compassion. Her new book is “SNAP! From Chaos to Calm.” Through her Mindful Methods for Life program offerings, Julie helps others bring more peace and wellness into their lives. Julie’s first book, “Life Falls Apart, but You Don’t Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos,” is now available on audiobook.
In this episode of Last First Date Radio:
- Why Julie turned to mindfulness when her kids were teens
- How we can rewire our brains for calm, peace, and happiness
- Why Julie wrote her new book, “SNAP! From Chaos to Calm”
- What is SNAP and how does it help you calm down when you’re feeling upset?
EP 554: Julie Potiker – Mindfulness Methods for Life
You first learned about mindfulness from a doctor who recommended it after you came in showing severe stress symptoms. What happened?
Way back when my kids were teens, I was so stressed out, a doctor told me I should practice mindfulness. I was fascinated by the neuroscience. I trained as a teacher and have been doing it ever since.
Can you explain how we can rewire our brains for calm, peace and happiness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to what you’re doing when you’re doing it. You’re not future or past focused, which is not helpful. It’s helpful to brush your teeth with your eyes closed. Sipping your coffee, mindful eating where you’re thinking about the food and taste.
Meditation is resting your awareness on your breath, a phrase, or a movement. Then when your mind wanders you gently bring it back. Over time, your attention is more focused.
What wires together fires together. When you’re feeling great or seeing something beautiful, for 12 seconds, take it in, feel it in your body, and you’ll create a new neural pathway. The negative ones get pruned out.
Why did you write your new book, “SNAP! From Chaos to Calm”?
SNAP is a method to help us snap out of chaos into calm. Here’s how it works:
Snap your fingers.
S: Soothing touch. Place your hands on your heart, belly, hand in hand, or hug yourself – whatever works for you. This helps oxytocin to get released in your body, already calming you down.
N: Name the emotion. Name it to tame it.
A: Ask a question regarding the emotion. What do I need to hear right now? Look around and tell yourself what you need to hear, such as, “I’m safe right now”. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do right now to shift my mood?” Write down all the things that bring you joy, and choose one.
P: Praise your deity of choice. A gratitude practice is so important.
You write about having compassion for ourselves as well as the world and letting our hearts radiate love outward — what you call a “bust your bra” state of being. How can we get in touch with our compassion?
The inner critic which causes us so much suffering. There are writing exercises that have you contemplate and write who that voice is. It’s usually the mother or father. Write a thank you letter to that voice through a voice of compassion, and practice retiring your negative voice and replace it with a kind voice.
What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?
Remember to SNAP! You can do it fifteen times a day if you need it. Do what you need to come back to center and be calm.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Connect With Julie:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmethodsforlife
Website: https://www.mindfulmethodsforlife.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliePotiker
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