Toronto Positive Psychology Conference
Hello my pippy skippy people
What is going on in your world? Have some good news for me? Well send it my way! As for me... I have lots of good news to share.
I just got back from a Positive Psychology Conference in Toronto. Talk about incredible people, I met the best from all over the World. I am sure we will do great things together. That is one great aspect of international conferences, I get to meet all these amazing people from all over the world that normally I would have never met. It makes my mission feel that much more important. Most importantly, it makes the world feel small enough to really make a difference. One person’s actions can really trickle all around the globe.
One of my favorite parts of presenting is how the audience responds to my efforts to get them up and moving. Even if they are not convinced at first, they play along and end up having a blast. Another example of how just a few minutes of moving, makes the world a better place and your brain and body so much happier. I play I Love Me by Meghan Trainor at the beginning of my presentation and it is always a huge hit. I love that song!
There is one picture that I show in my presentation that everyone was amazed by.
Dr. Zebulon Kendrick is a Professor, the Vice Provost for Graduate Education at Temple University and my advisor and mentor. He sent it to me a few years ago.
“The picture depicts how that the brain can be stimulated low to moderate levels of physical activity as well as interacting with the environment versus just sitting. I try to take at least a 20 to 30 minute walk every afternoon “to escape” the pressures of work through the interaction with the outside environment. When I returning to work, I am more relaxed and have a clearer mind for what needs to be done for the rest of the day.”
Doesn’t that sound great? Of course I would love everyone to move a minimum of 20 minutes a day but just getting up and moving 1 minute every hour can make a huge difference. Stepping away from your desk to stretch or take the longest route to the bathroom can clear your head. It is awesome when you can get your workout in during lunch, but just taking a stroll around the block will give you the boost you need.
When your at home there are always ways to keep moving, especially when chasing the kids or doing chores. It all counts, moving is moving, it doesn't have to be in the gym or a specific workout system. All that is wonderful, but it is way more important that you get up and down all day long.
I can’t wait to get everyone in the world up and moving and feeling this positive impact on their brains. It can really change the whole world.
The other part of presenting that I really love, is spreading joy! I bet you all saw that one coming. It is so great to be able to get up in front of a group of people, even if they are already inclined to be joyful, and bring them up another notch. I truly believe that everyone can use a little more joy that we can spread all over the world. What makes you feel joyful? What makes you get up and move? Do you have a favorite song that you just have to get up and dance to when it comes on? I want to hear all about it. Let’s spread joy through movement together.
-SJW