There are two types of stress: real and perceived. Back in the ancient times, the first category was predominant, but as we evolved, the balance started to turn the other way, and now, most of our stress is usually perceived - and we can take countless actions toward reducing it.

But what can we do when we’re witnessing a pandemic that’s creating both a real threat and a perceived one? How can we handle this type of stress because a lot of what we used to know, is now gone?

In today’s episode, my amazing guest, Kathy, talks about the most important aspect of minimizing the current stress we all experience, which is, as simple as it may sound, staying present. She gives us practical advice on how to stay present when ‘worry’ is on everyone’s lips, and she shares numerous pearls of wisdom with regard to what’s available to us, from the inside of our homes.

Dr. Kathy Gruver is an internationally recognized speaker and motivational powerhouse. She speaks on topics such as transforming your corporate and organizational culture, enhancing communication, creating true leadership with practical presence, decreasing stress, personal and professional growth, and building a powerful team. Kathy helped develop a stress reduction program for the US military and has studied mind/body medicine at the famed Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Harvard. She is an award-winning author, health practitioner, Ph.D., and two-time TEDx speaker and she’s also the host of the national TV series, The Alternative Medicine Cabinet.

As you can see, she wears many hats – and you’ll find out even more about her and what she does by listening to Episode 45 of Rejuvenaging. Tune into this week’s discussion, to learn some practical ways to deal with the stress created by the current situation with the COVID pandemic.

Some questions I ask:

• Tell us a little bit about your journey to being Dr. Kathy Gruver. (04:02)
• What does a typical day look like for you? What do you do on a regular basis? (05:40)
• What does ‘managing stress’ mean? And from a practical standpoint, is a certain amount of stress a good thing, or is it something to be avoided? (11:16)
• How do you balance your high activity level with your mindfulness practice? (16:07)
• How can we learn about the mind/body connection and how can we maximize being the best version of ourselves? (19:15)
• Is there anything specific that older people can do to increasingly be a better version of themselves? (25:49)

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why the stress induced by the COVID situation is different than any other type of stress. (07:45)
• How Kathy is coping with staying inside the house, due to the pandemic lockdown. (08:53)
• Kathy’s advice on how should people handle both the ambiguity of the current situation, as well as the limitations imposed by it. (10:05)
• The importance of having respect for what other people deem as stressful. (13:42)
• How to work on staying present in the moment. (15:02)
• The benefits of meditation. (18:13)
• Practical advice from Kathy on how to take care of your body & mind. (23:06)

Connect with Kathy:

• Website – Speaking
• Website – Coaching
• LinkedIn
• Facebook Page
• Instagram
• Twitter
• TEDx Talk: Trapeze, Travel, and Pink Slips. Little Lessons for a Bigger Life
• TEDx Talk: Presence, Mindset, and Consciously Creating Your Future

Useful Rejuvenaging Resources:

• Website: https://www.thementalhealthgym.com/
• Book: Dr. Ron Kaiser - Rejuvenaging: The Art and Science of Growing Older with Enthusiasm
• Email: ron.kaiser@thementalhealthgym.com 
• TEDx Talk: Aging Enthusiastically to Make the World a Better Place

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.