Episode 251: Robyn Downs

I’m very happy to welcome Robyn Downs to the table. Robyn uses simple, science-backed strategies to help people cut through life’s clutter to uncover small shifts that create huge change. She holds a Master’s degree in education with an emphasis in behavior change, and 4 years of public policy & health change at the doctoral level. Her work taps into cutting edge science around psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, and habits. Recently named one of the Most Influential Women in Wellness and she recently published a book titled: The Feel Good Effect: Reclaim Your Wellness By Creating Small Shifts That Create Big Change.

Let me just say that I loved this book. It is practical and helpful while making sense of why I sometimes find myself in ruts when it comes to my wellness. In this episode, we talk about why we struggle to think that we have to do it all. We talk about the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves, and the guilt that follows. Robyn shares some tips on how to break that guilt cycle, what to do with an all or nothing mentality and how to move from a should to good mentality. We cover so much helpful content in a short period of time. If you feel like your own health and happiness is not even on the "pay attention to" list then you will really be understood by Robyn.

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Links mentioned:

• Robyn’s book: The Feel Good Effect: Reclaim Your Wellness By Creating Small Shifts That Create Big Change.

Survival Kit:

• this new way of thinking from should to good

• eating good food

• exercise snacking

• being off her phone

Takeaways:

• I think one super practical one was when you find yourself feeling like you should do something, then you need to ask yourself: is this a should or a good? Does this align with my values? I think you would be surprised at how much you do in a day because you should do it, because there is a sense of guilt driving it.

• We end up trying to do it all because we lack clarity about our values and vision.

• How to stop a striving mindset:

  • awareness: what you have been doing isn’t working

  • ask: what if there’s a different way?

  • is this serving me?

• How to break the guilt cycle: ask yourself, is this a should or a good?

• A should can be an external or internal expectation that doesn’t align with your values.

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways did you relate to what Robyn and Sarah talked about?

• What area of life to do you struggle with guilt for not doing something?

• Walk through some of those examples and ask: is this a should or good?

• What is one thing you can do this week based on today’s conversation?

(Amazon affiliate links used when possible--purchasing through these links is an easy way to support the show. Or shop using www.SurvivingSarah.com/amazon and a portion of the what you buy will go back to the show.)

Connect with Robyn:  Website // Instagram // Podcast

What did you enjoy about this episode? What was your takeaway. Let's continue the conversation on Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for following along life with me. I love being apart of your day. And as always, I hope this show helps you survive a little easier.

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