Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Sue Varma, a distinguished psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral therapist, to discuss her latest book, Practical Optimism, which holds the keys to establishing greater meaning, mastery, and acceptance in your life. 

Dr. Varma’s new book, Practical Optimism, is written as a solution to the mental health crisis our society continues to face. Practical optimism is about becoming a resourceful, realistic, and thoughtful problem solver. It’s a mindset to develop so that you can cope with any crisis and use it as fuel to flourish, supported by life skills. 

Optimists are predisposed to better mental health than non-optimists. Dr. Varma draws a distinct line between toxic optimists and practical optimists. Optimists are defined as taking positive action steps, investing in themselves, and having better habits than non-optimists. Ultimately, she stresses, practical optimism is a practice, like yoga or journaling.

Dr. Varma introduces the 8 pillars to becoming a practical optimist as detailed in her book. In several cases, she compares how a pessimist and an optimist might handle the same situation to illuminate the best form of behavior. She also offers quick-to-implement tips for when you’re up against negative emotions, such as the name it, claim it, frame it, tame it framework. 

Ultimately, there is no health without mental health. Good and bad feelings will come and go, and they are all part of the human experience. This conversation with Dr. Varma is honestly full of amazing wellness tips that you can integrate into your daily wellness practice today!

Episode Outline:

(03:09) Dr. Varma’s passion for psychiatry began at home 

(05:55) Current state of mental health

(09:02) Optimists tend to be the mental healthiest

(12:04) Research of resilience

(14:54) How to become a practical optimist

(18:58) What to do with negative feelings 

(26:05) Introduction to the eight pillars of practical optimism

(31:43) Physical health supports an optimistic mindset 

(38:02) Intentional social media habits

(42:51) Tips for engaging in a healthy hustle culture 

(48:09) Dr. Varma’s non-negotiable daily habit

Resources Referenced:

Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zin

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