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Transformă stresul în energie și poftă de viață
O carte recomandată de CNN - TODAY Show - The New York Times - People Magazine - Mind Body Green.
O viață de bucurie și de energie pozitivă e mai aproape decât ai crede!
Acest ghid practic care te va ajuta să-ți gestionezi mai bine emoțiile negative și să le transformi în putere. Psihiatrul Dr. Samantha Boardman îți arată cum poți găsi energie și forță interioară în stresul cotidian și cum poți transforma zilele aglomerate în zile pline de împlinire.
Bazându-se pe cercetări științifice și pe propria experiență clinică, Dr. Boardman dezvăluie strategii practice pentru cultivarea vitalității, a sentimentului revigorant de entuziasm și energie care îți alimentează starea de bine, îți stimulează productivitatea și te ajută să gestionezi obstacolele.
Meriți să te bucuri din plin de fiecare zi! Regăsește-ți forța interioară!
O viață de bucurie și de energie pozitivă e mai aproape decât ai crede!
Acest ghid practic care te va ajuta să-ți gestionezi mai bine emoțiile negative și să le transformi în putere. Psihiatrul Dr. Samantha Boardman îți arată cum poți găsi energie și forță interioară în stresul cotidian și cum poți transforma zilele aglomerate în zile pline de împlinire.
Bazându-se pe cercetări științifice și pe propria experiență clinică, Dr. Boardman dezvăluie strategii practice pentru cultivarea vitalității, a sentimentului revigorant de entuziasm și energie care îți alimentează starea de bine, îți stimulează productivitatea și te ajută să gestionezi obstacolele.
Meriți să te bucuri din plin de fiecare zi! Regăsește-ți forța interioară!
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2023
186 people are currently reading
2545 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 5, 2022
I love this book because it made me think about stress in an entirely different way, and how it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. I really enjoyed reading Dr. Boardman’s groundbreaking ideas, ideas I’ve never heard before, which to me, makes it truly original, which is a novelty for a self-help book. The author, who is Harvard educated, has a background in psychiatry and positive psychology, and is a practicing psychiatrist.
I always thought that when I was overwhelmed the best thing to do would be to take a break, meditate or self reflect in journal pages, but Dr. Boardman challenges this idea. She instead suggests that one should take action, not self ruminate, self reflect or self indulge. To engage in the world is a great way to overcome stressful feelings, she says, and this builds resilience. It’s such a brilliant idea and I’ve actually been trying out these ideas in my life and they really work! I also love her accessible and personable writing style, and her sanguine voice and company on the page.
I also happened to have met her at an author’s event this summer and she’s the loveliest person! So kind, humble, with a genuine desire to help others. I highly recommend this intelligent, eye-opening book to all of my reader friends.
I always thought that when I was overwhelmed the best thing to do would be to take a break, meditate or self reflect in journal pages, but Dr. Boardman challenges this idea. She instead suggests that one should take action, not self ruminate, self reflect or self indulge. To engage in the world is a great way to overcome stressful feelings, she says, and this builds resilience. It’s such a brilliant idea and I’ve actually been trying out these ideas in my life and they really work! I also love her accessible and personable writing style, and her sanguine voice and company on the page.
I also happened to have met her at an author’s event this summer and she’s the loveliest person! So kind, humble, with a genuine desire to help others. I highly recommend this intelligent, eye-opening book to all of my reader friends.
August 19, 2022
(2.5) I need to stop reading these books. They all say the same infuriatingly milquetoast things, with no perspective or awareness of any experience other than white, able-bodied, middle class. Like many books before it, this one touts the evils of your phone (without addressing the systemic reasons people distract themselves with phones), the devastating effects of not being social (extroverts always write these books), and then goes on to tell us to exercise ("park far away and walk!"), eat healthy, and on and on.
A book written in 2021 got published saying these things as if they hadn't been said before. I'm tired of it.
She also cites studies that have been long debunked (the marshmallow test) and casually implies stress causes cancer. (I know what she means. But you can't put one careless sentence like that in your book and flounce away.)
I did get something out of it, however (I always do!) and it was the idea of a WOOP goal: What's your Wish? What Outcome does the wish get you? What's the Obstacle to getting your wish? What's your Plan around the obstacle? That was helpful framing. I wish the book had been more of that.
A book written in 2021 got published saying these things as if they hadn't been said before. I'm tired of it.
She also cites studies that have been long debunked (the marshmallow test) and casually implies stress causes cancer. (I know what she means. But you can't put one careless sentence like that in your book and flounce away.)
I did get something out of it, however (I always do!) and it was the idea of a WOOP goal: What's your Wish? What Outcome does the wish get you? What's the Obstacle to getting your wish? What's your Plan around the obstacle? That was helpful framing. I wish the book had been more of that.
February 1, 2022
So, I heard about this book through a podcast I was listening to and was immediately interested. To be honest, I think I earmarked 3/4 of this book. It’s a definite re-read. Many assume that major life events are the most virulent causes of stress, but it’s really the microstresses that we need to watch out for. I loved the personal experiences as well the experiences the author has from her patients woven together as lessons. It’s filled with wonderful ways to think about what you do in your life and how to add vitality to it.
December 6, 2021
The author said a lot of things that resonated with me.
The idea of making "uplifts" in your life is a great idea. I called them "wins". When things are going sour for me, sometimes I just need a win .... a positive interaction or accomplishment to change the tide .... Her ideas of narcissism is questionable. I would think there are a lot of people on their death bed are glad they chose themself over an abusive relationship
It's really hard to not write a review without the words "I" or "me". Hard, in a good way, is a memorable chapter and made me realize how difficult of a recipient of gifts are because I like to "earn" it myself. In the modern age of abundance, I question / devalue gifts offered to me on a silver platter. I guess growing up in the modern age of abundance of corporate greed does that to a person.
To get to five stars (or more), the book has to make multiple impression on me. Not quite there. But I would say reading the book made me a little better, more aware person after reading it.
The idea of making "uplifts" in your life is a great idea. I called them "wins". When things are going sour for me, sometimes I just need a win .... a positive interaction or accomplishment to change the tide .... Her ideas of narcissism is questionable. I would think there are a lot of people on their death bed are glad they chose themself over an abusive relationship
It's really hard to not write a review without the words "I" or "me". Hard, in a good way, is a memorable chapter and made me realize how difficult of a recipient of gifts are because I like to "earn" it myself. In the modern age of abundance, I question / devalue gifts offered to me on a silver platter. I guess growing up in the modern age of abundance of corporate greed does that to a person.
To get to five stars (or more), the book has to make multiple impression on me. Not quite there. But I would say reading the book made me a little better, more aware person after reading it.
January 9, 2023
I was going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars. I really liked this book. I was quoting it to my friends and was telling them about it. The author lost me for a bit somewhere in the middle of 3rd section and 4th, but I got back.
Overall, I loved this book for where I am.
Overall, I loved this book for where I am.
January 16, 2022
Really good. This book doesn’t just dish out the same advice we hear over and over. It’s giving me new, helpful ways to think about how I deal with stress. This book will stick with me for a while.
August 11, 2022
Vitality is the opposite of depression. I think I need to re-read this once a year for the rest of my life!! ❤️
March 12, 2023
I especially liked Chapter 17. It was fascinating to hear about why it's important to have hobbies that stimulate your mind and bring joy... as well as provide division from the stressful portions of our lives. She also delves into why binging screens, though at times helpful, are too passive an activity to create the release and separation needed to provide the release that is needed to actually destress.very interesting insights. Glad I picked this one up!
September 3, 2021
An “all-over-the-place” book that serves as a key reminder on daily actions one can take to improve the quality of their lives - loved the anti-mobile phone/anti-social media piece and how it helps one’s vitality to say away from it. A quick read but one that kept me in a great mood as I sped through it.
August 10, 2021
This was an interesting take on how we can function within the day to day stress of our lives, and manage in a way that is more than just surviving. I appreciate that the author incorporates the idea of care for others into self care, although I think for people in helping professions (I work in mental health) it’s important to balance that step to avoid burnout.
Thank you so much Viking Penguin for this copy!!
Thank you so much Viking Penguin for this copy!!
November 6, 2023
A practical guide for building resilience, finding meaning in challenges, and cultivating vitality.
We often yearn for simpler lives, imagining a future where our stressors have diminished. We envision a day when our responsibilities ease up, when our circumstances become less demanding. However, the reality is that we may never experience a completely stress-free existence. Rather than surrendering to the parts of life that present challenges, we can learn to coexist with them.
In the captivating book ‘Everyday Vitality,’ Samantha Boardman advocates for the cultivation of vitality as a means to transform challenges, hard work, and even stress into sources of personal strength. This review delves into the book’s insights, providing guidance on navigating difficult times and utilizing them as fuel for our journey.
Author’s background
Dr. Samantha Boardman is a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and an Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Dr. Boardman holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.A. in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Medical Degree from Cornell University Medical College. She is also a founder of PositivePrescription.com, a website that integrates her knowledge and experience to provide practical and insightful advice.
Dr. Boardman has been recognised for her excellence in psychiatry, receiving the prestigious Oskar Diethelm Prize during her medical studies. Samantha Boardman has contributed to various academic journals, including Translational Neuroscience, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
What is the book about?
The book ‘Everyday Vitality’ is a comprehensive guide that explores how to cultivate vitality and transform everyday stress into strength.
Dr. Samantha Boardman presents the concept of vitality as “‘health of spirit,’ vitality is that sense of feeling psychologically and physically up to a task. Like resilience, vitality is often thought of as a quality people are born with. But possessing vitality is not a matter of luck. Vitality isn’t in your head; it’s generated by your deliberate actions.”
She emphasises that vitality is linked to positive effects on health, including increased productivity, improved resilience in the face of stress and difficulties, enhanced mental well-being, and the capacity to effectively handle negative emotions. Throughout the book, the author provides valuable insights on how to cultivate vitality and effectively handle challenges, hard work, and stress.
Dr. Boardman introduces the taxonomy of Professor David Almeida who divided people into Velcro and Teflon individuals, highlighting the difference in their responses to difficult situations. Velcro people tend to get stuck in negative thinking, while Teflon people demonstrate vitality by staying engaged and pursuing activities that make them feel good and strong.
The book emphasises the importance of personal choice in cultivating vitality and encourages readers to share their experiences and strategies with others. By doing so, one can inspire and encourage a positive mindset and approach to life within their community. Building connections and maintaining social support are also highlighted as powerful sources of vitality. The book provides evidence that social support and loving relationships can help individuals cope better with stress and shield them from life’s hardships.
Practical strategies such as mindfulness, positive thinking, gratitude, and physical exercise are presented to help readers build vitality in their daily lives. The book concludes by emphasising that vitality is not innate but can be developed through intentional actions and choices. By embracing challenges and seeking new experiences, individuals can thrive amidst chaos and uncertainty.
Key takeaways from ‘Everyday Vitality’
1. Vitality cultivation requires autonomy, competence, and relatedness
People who display vitality understand that it’s important to have control over their actions, feel capable of what they do, and have meaningful connections with others.
This was shown in a study done by the University of Richmond using rats. One group of rats had to work to find their treats, while the other group had their treats given to them. When the treats were presented in a clear plastic ball, the hard-working rats put in more effort than the ones who had their treats handed to them. This idea is called desirable difficulty, which means that people actually enjoy doing tasks when they are challenging.
General Mills, a company that makes cake mixes, also discovered a similar concept. They released a cake mix in the 1950s that only required adding water, but it didn’t become popular because it felt like taking a shortcut and didn’t give the same satisfaction as baking a cake from scratch. So, General Mills changed the mix to include adding an egg, and it instantly became a success.
2. Social connections can become a source of strong vitality
The book also emphasises the importance of connecting with others for vitality. Research has shown that having social support can help individuals better handle stress, and experiencing love and being loved can protect individuals from life’s challenges.
For example, a study found that married couples who were in a loving relationship felt less pain when holding hands during an electric shock. Effective conversations that involve meaningful exchanges of information, rather than just small talk, can improve communication with others and contribute to happier interactions. In romantic relationships, asking questions, including everyone in conversations, and actively listening can lead to better communication. To avoid taking work stress out on family members, it can be helpful to create a plan for decontamination and respond with constructive and positive communication. Simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, such as filling up a partner’s gas tank, can also reduce stress and provide meaningful support to others.
3. Challenging yourself can help to build up vitality
The book emphasises the importance of personal growth and vitality through self-challenge. It encourages questioning assumptions, embracing emotions, and engaging in activities that expand knowledge and perspective, such as hobbies and achieving a state of flow.
The author also highlights the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient sleep, exercise, and good posture, which can enhance mood and reduce the risk of depression. Starting with small positive actions can create a ripple effect of positivity and habit formation. Building vitality is crucial for thriving and finding purpose in life, and it involves challenging oneself, considering choices in context, and rejecting pessimism.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Fresh and thought-provoking content.
• Provides instances of personal and relatable experiences on the topic.
• Gives practical advice on achieving vitality.
Weaknesses:
• Lack of diversity and perspective. Readers criticise the book for its limited awareness and perspective, failing to address experiences outside the realm of white, able-bodied, middle-class individuals.
• Repetitive content. Some readers express frustration with the book’s repetitive nature, stating that it reiterates commonly known advice without offering fresh insights or addressing underlying systemic issues.
• Insensitive generalisations. The author argues that the current generation lacks resilience and struggles with hardship, particularly contrasting it with the supposed toughness of the boomer generation. The book fails to acknowledge the genuine challenges faced by people today, such as the pandemic, inflation, and societal issues.
Best quotes from ‘Everyday Vitality’
“According to a study of Danish men and women, tennis players (associated with an extra 9.7 years), badminton players (6.2 years), and soccer enthusiasts (5 years) enjoy longer lifespans than people who engage in solitary activities such as jogging (3.2 years), swimming (3.7 years), or cycling (3.7 years).”
“Professor David Almeida divides people into two categories: Velcro and Teflon. 'With Velcro people, when a stressor happens it sticks to them; they get really upset and, by the end of the day, they are still grumpy and fuming,' he explains. 'With Teflon people, when stressors happen to them, they slide right off. It’s the Velcro people who end up suffering health consequences down the road.'”
“According to self-determination theory, first introduced by Ed Deci and Richard Ryan, these three fundamental needs are essential for human growth, integrity, and health. The satisfaction of these needs sheds light on the not particularly surprising finding that people are happier during weekends, which present more opportunities for rewarding social interaction (relatedness) and fewer obligatory and more self-directed activities (autonomy) than during the workweek.”
Final takeaway
Everyday Vitality by Dr. Samantha Boardman offers valuable insights and practical advice on cultivating vitality and navigating life’s challenges. The book has resonated with many readers and offers valuable reminders and strategies for sustaining energy and well-being.
It is recommended for individuals seeking to enhance their mental health, build resilience, and cultivate vitality in their lives.
We often yearn for simpler lives, imagining a future where our stressors have diminished. We envision a day when our responsibilities ease up, when our circumstances become less demanding. However, the reality is that we may never experience a completely stress-free existence. Rather than surrendering to the parts of life that present challenges, we can learn to coexist with them.
In the captivating book ‘Everyday Vitality,’ Samantha Boardman advocates for the cultivation of vitality as a means to transform challenges, hard work, and even stress into sources of personal strength. This review delves into the book’s insights, providing guidance on navigating difficult times and utilizing them as fuel for our journey.
Author’s background
Dr. Samantha Boardman is a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and an Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Dr. Boardman holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.A. in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Medical Degree from Cornell University Medical College. She is also a founder of PositivePrescription.com, a website that integrates her knowledge and experience to provide practical and insightful advice.
Dr. Boardman has been recognised for her excellence in psychiatry, receiving the prestigious Oskar Diethelm Prize during her medical studies. Samantha Boardman has contributed to various academic journals, including Translational Neuroscience, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
What is the book about?
The book ‘Everyday Vitality’ is a comprehensive guide that explores how to cultivate vitality and transform everyday stress into strength.
Dr. Samantha Boardman presents the concept of vitality as “‘health of spirit,’ vitality is that sense of feeling psychologically and physically up to a task. Like resilience, vitality is often thought of as a quality people are born with. But possessing vitality is not a matter of luck. Vitality isn’t in your head; it’s generated by your deliberate actions.”
She emphasises that vitality is linked to positive effects on health, including increased productivity, improved resilience in the face of stress and difficulties, enhanced mental well-being, and the capacity to effectively handle negative emotions. Throughout the book, the author provides valuable insights on how to cultivate vitality and effectively handle challenges, hard work, and stress.
Dr. Boardman introduces the taxonomy of Professor David Almeida who divided people into Velcro and Teflon individuals, highlighting the difference in their responses to difficult situations. Velcro people tend to get stuck in negative thinking, while Teflon people demonstrate vitality by staying engaged and pursuing activities that make them feel good and strong.
The book emphasises the importance of personal choice in cultivating vitality and encourages readers to share their experiences and strategies with others. By doing so, one can inspire and encourage a positive mindset and approach to life within their community. Building connections and maintaining social support are also highlighted as powerful sources of vitality. The book provides evidence that social support and loving relationships can help individuals cope better with stress and shield them from life’s hardships.
Practical strategies such as mindfulness, positive thinking, gratitude, and physical exercise are presented to help readers build vitality in their daily lives. The book concludes by emphasising that vitality is not innate but can be developed through intentional actions and choices. By embracing challenges and seeking new experiences, individuals can thrive amidst chaos and uncertainty.
Key takeaways from ‘Everyday Vitality’
1. Vitality cultivation requires autonomy, competence, and relatedness
People who display vitality understand that it’s important to have control over their actions, feel capable of what they do, and have meaningful connections with others.
This was shown in a study done by the University of Richmond using rats. One group of rats had to work to find their treats, while the other group had their treats given to them. When the treats were presented in a clear plastic ball, the hard-working rats put in more effort than the ones who had their treats handed to them. This idea is called desirable difficulty, which means that people actually enjoy doing tasks when they are challenging.
General Mills, a company that makes cake mixes, also discovered a similar concept. They released a cake mix in the 1950s that only required adding water, but it didn’t become popular because it felt like taking a shortcut and didn’t give the same satisfaction as baking a cake from scratch. So, General Mills changed the mix to include adding an egg, and it instantly became a success.
2. Social connections can become a source of strong vitality
The book also emphasises the importance of connecting with others for vitality. Research has shown that having social support can help individuals better handle stress, and experiencing love and being loved can protect individuals from life’s challenges.
For example, a study found that married couples who were in a loving relationship felt less pain when holding hands during an electric shock. Effective conversations that involve meaningful exchanges of information, rather than just small talk, can improve communication with others and contribute to happier interactions. In romantic relationships, asking questions, including everyone in conversations, and actively listening can lead to better communication. To avoid taking work stress out on family members, it can be helpful to create a plan for decontamination and respond with constructive and positive communication. Simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, such as filling up a partner’s gas tank, can also reduce stress and provide meaningful support to others.
3. Challenging yourself can help to build up vitality
The book emphasises the importance of personal growth and vitality through self-challenge. It encourages questioning assumptions, embracing emotions, and engaging in activities that expand knowledge and perspective, such as hobbies and achieving a state of flow.
The author also highlights the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient sleep, exercise, and good posture, which can enhance mood and reduce the risk of depression. Starting with small positive actions can create a ripple effect of positivity and habit formation. Building vitality is crucial for thriving and finding purpose in life, and it involves challenging oneself, considering choices in context, and rejecting pessimism.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Fresh and thought-provoking content.
• Provides instances of personal and relatable experiences on the topic.
• Gives practical advice on achieving vitality.
Weaknesses:
• Lack of diversity and perspective. Readers criticise the book for its limited awareness and perspective, failing to address experiences outside the realm of white, able-bodied, middle-class individuals.
• Repetitive content. Some readers express frustration with the book’s repetitive nature, stating that it reiterates commonly known advice without offering fresh insights or addressing underlying systemic issues.
• Insensitive generalisations. The author argues that the current generation lacks resilience and struggles with hardship, particularly contrasting it with the supposed toughness of the boomer generation. The book fails to acknowledge the genuine challenges faced by people today, such as the pandemic, inflation, and societal issues.
Best quotes from ‘Everyday Vitality’
“According to a study of Danish men and women, tennis players (associated with an extra 9.7 years), badminton players (6.2 years), and soccer enthusiasts (5 years) enjoy longer lifespans than people who engage in solitary activities such as jogging (3.2 years), swimming (3.7 years), or cycling (3.7 years).”
“Professor David Almeida divides people into two categories: Velcro and Teflon. 'With Velcro people, when a stressor happens it sticks to them; they get really upset and, by the end of the day, they are still grumpy and fuming,' he explains. 'With Teflon people, when stressors happen to them, they slide right off. It’s the Velcro people who end up suffering health consequences down the road.'”
“According to self-determination theory, first introduced by Ed Deci and Richard Ryan, these three fundamental needs are essential for human growth, integrity, and health. The satisfaction of these needs sheds light on the not particularly surprising finding that people are happier during weekends, which present more opportunities for rewarding social interaction (relatedness) and fewer obligatory and more self-directed activities (autonomy) than during the workweek.”
Final takeaway
Everyday Vitality by Dr. Samantha Boardman offers valuable insights and practical advice on cultivating vitality and navigating life’s challenges. The book has resonated with many readers and offers valuable reminders and strategies for sustaining energy and well-being.
It is recommended for individuals seeking to enhance their mental health, build resilience, and cultivate vitality in their lives.
September 7, 2021
Samantha Boardman presents good ideas for how to build and maintain vitality and reframe how we think about life's daily stresses. I thought the first half of the book had a lot of fresh content and new ways to think about things that I really appreciated. Toward the end, there was more information that I was already familiar with and it was less interesting (eat well, sleep well, etc). I read this in book form but this would be a good book to listen to as an audiobook if you're into that. Everyday Vitality is interesting and would be easily absorbed on a walk or in the car, etc.
September 20, 2021
With a focus on positive psychology, this book emphasizes meaningful personal connections and stresses mental health (instead of just mental illness) to building resiliency that enhances your life. It’s based on hard science and the author’s transformative personal experience.
I enjoyed the book. I felt like the author was speaking to me—a very busy mom, woman—and everyone else who needs a bit of help making their lives a little bit better. The book is a powerful combination of science, Samantha’s life experience, and suggestions for enhancing our own lives. It is full of steps we can all take to connect with those around us, challenge ourselves in positive ways, and contribute to a wider world. In a never-quite-done society, these are some powerful tools to live a life with fewer lists and more vitality.
The author talks about three main wellsprings of everyday vitality: meaningfully connecting with others, engaging in experiences that challenge you, and contributing to something beyond yourself. One quote that I loved was when the author wrote: "I believe that vitality is cultivated and enhanced through productive and meaningful actions: having a good conversation, doing a favor for someone, going for a walk, reading an interesting article and then calling a friend to discuss it. These commonplace experiences and micro-moments are the building blocks of everyday resilience. They are other-oriented. They are outward-oriented. They are action-oriented. They are not internal, nor individual, nor do they require sustained self-immersion. On the contrary, they require engagement and interaction."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/dr-...
I enjoyed the book. I felt like the author was speaking to me—a very busy mom, woman—and everyone else who needs a bit of help making their lives a little bit better. The book is a powerful combination of science, Samantha’s life experience, and suggestions for enhancing our own lives. It is full of steps we can all take to connect with those around us, challenge ourselves in positive ways, and contribute to a wider world. In a never-quite-done society, these are some powerful tools to live a life with fewer lists and more vitality.
The author talks about three main wellsprings of everyday vitality: meaningfully connecting with others, engaging in experiences that challenge you, and contributing to something beyond yourself. One quote that I loved was when the author wrote: "I believe that vitality is cultivated and enhanced through productive and meaningful actions: having a good conversation, doing a favor for someone, going for a walk, reading an interesting article and then calling a friend to discuss it. These commonplace experiences and micro-moments are the building blocks of everyday resilience. They are other-oriented. They are outward-oriented. They are action-oriented. They are not internal, nor individual, nor do they require sustained self-immersion. On the contrary, they require engagement and interaction."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/dr-...
February 1, 2023
It started off rly great but toward end I could tell author needed to meet the page requirements
Read
September 7, 2023"TWOJA WITALNOŚĆ NA CO DZIEŃ jak znaleźć siłę w stresie i szczęście w smutku" - muszę przyznać, że tytuł brzmi trochę tendencyjnie i zapowiada jakiś kolejny poradnik... jednak po przeczytaniu paru pierwszych zdań łatwo stwierdzić, że jest to coś o wiele ciekawszego i nie do końca jest to też poradnik. Na ogół podchodzę do tego typu pozycji, jak do jeże i tu też tak było, ale książka Samanthy Boardman trafiła na dobry grunt i odpowiedni czas.
Nie skłamię, gdy napiszę, że ostatnio w życiu mam naprawdę dużo stresu - myślę, że więcej niż kiedykolwiek, a gdy człowiek tarza się w tym czarnym zamęcie, to zaczyna szukać "deski ratunku", czegoś - czego mógłby się chwycić. Uważam, że stres jest zjawiskiem powszechnym, niemal jak wizyta w toalecie. Każdy doświadcza stresujących sytuacji, a współcześnie jest to chyba jeszcze mocniejsze, niż kiedyś. Nawet gdy byłam dzieckiem (a to aż tak dawno nie było) to mam wrażenie, że było inaczej i moi rodzice, choć także zmagali się z trudami życia, nie stresowali się aż tak.
Boardman jest psychiatrą klinicznym z nurtu tzw. psychologii pozytywnej. Zaraz to czuć - tzn. czuć jej profesjonalizm i doświadczenie, ale także czuć jej nastawienie na pozytywne strony codzienności. TWOJA WITALNOŚĆ, to książka bardzo optymistyczna, choć mówi o naprawdę paskudnych smutkach. Autorka zgrabnie zachęca czytelnika do działania, do nieco innego spojrzenia na swoje problemy. Nie mówię, że ta książka zmieni wasze życie - bo mojego nie zmieniła, ale wyciągnęłam z niej sporo ważnych dla mnie informacji. Już wiem, że nie tylko ja mam kamyczek w bucie i nie tylko nad moją głową zbiera się prawdziwa ich lawina.
Coś takiego jest w tej pozycji, że ją się świetnie czyta. Zazwyczaj ten gatunek ma tendencję do zarzucania odbiorcy informacjami i to jeszcze wcale nie w ciekawy sposób. Tutaj pani psychiatra z
pewnością nie zanudza. Mnie ta książka wciągnęła - a myślałam, że to słowo pasuje raczej do powieści.
Uczciwie przyznaję, że TWOJA WITALNOŚĆ mnie zaskoczyła - pozytywnie. Cieszę się, że po nią sięgnęłam. Po takie książki sięga się czasem dla jednego zdania, które wskaże kierunek, doda otuchy - tutaj jest co najmniej parę takich zdań - są też historie z gabinetu, są stresy cudze i własne ... bo Boardman także szczerze pisze o własnych rozczarowaniach, trudach, bitwach.
To, co mną wstrząsnęło odnalazłam na początku - punkty, według których lekarze diagnozują depresję... naprawdę niewiele trzeba, by wprowadzić się w chorobę. Polecam tę pozycję nie tylko tym, którzy czują, że już więcej nie udźwigną, ale także tym, którzy szukają czegoś przystępnie, wciągającą, inteligentnie napisanego w tym temacie.
dziś mi się nie chce - wyciągać tego kamyczka z buta
Wydawnictwo Literackie
egzemplarz recenzencki
Nie skłamię, gdy napiszę, że ostatnio w życiu mam naprawdę dużo stresu - myślę, że więcej niż kiedykolwiek, a gdy człowiek tarza się w tym czarnym zamęcie, to zaczyna szukać "deski ratunku", czegoś - czego mógłby się chwycić. Uważam, że stres jest zjawiskiem powszechnym, niemal jak wizyta w toalecie. Każdy doświadcza stresujących sytuacji, a współcześnie jest to chyba jeszcze mocniejsze, niż kiedyś. Nawet gdy byłam dzieckiem (a to aż tak dawno nie było) to mam wrażenie, że było inaczej i moi rodzice, choć także zmagali się z trudami życia, nie stresowali się aż tak.
Boardman jest psychiatrą klinicznym z nurtu tzw. psychologii pozytywnej. Zaraz to czuć - tzn. czuć jej profesjonalizm i doświadczenie, ale także czuć jej nastawienie na pozytywne strony codzienności. TWOJA WITALNOŚĆ, to książka bardzo optymistyczna, choć mówi o naprawdę paskudnych smutkach. Autorka zgrabnie zachęca czytelnika do działania, do nieco innego spojrzenia na swoje problemy. Nie mówię, że ta książka zmieni wasze życie - bo mojego nie zmieniła, ale wyciągnęłam z niej sporo ważnych dla mnie informacji. Już wiem, że nie tylko ja mam kamyczek w bucie i nie tylko nad moją głową zbiera się prawdziwa ich lawina.
Coś takiego jest w tej pozycji, że ją się świetnie czyta. Zazwyczaj ten gatunek ma tendencję do zarzucania odbiorcy informacjami i to jeszcze wcale nie w ciekawy sposób. Tutaj pani psychiatra z
pewnością nie zanudza. Mnie ta książka wciągnęła - a myślałam, że to słowo pasuje raczej do powieści.
Uczciwie przyznaję, że TWOJA WITALNOŚĆ mnie zaskoczyła - pozytywnie. Cieszę się, że po nią sięgnęłam. Po takie książki sięga się czasem dla jednego zdania, które wskaże kierunek, doda otuchy - tutaj jest co najmniej parę takich zdań - są też historie z gabinetu, są stresy cudze i własne ... bo Boardman także szczerze pisze o własnych rozczarowaniach, trudach, bitwach.
To, co mną wstrząsnęło odnalazłam na początku - punkty, według których lekarze diagnozują depresję... naprawdę niewiele trzeba, by wprowadzić się w chorobę. Polecam tę pozycję nie tylko tym, którzy czują, że już więcej nie udźwigną, ale także tym, którzy szukają czegoś przystępnie, wciągającą, inteligentnie napisanego w tym temacie.
dziś mi się nie chce - wyciągać tego kamyczka z buta
Wydawnictwo Literackie
egzemplarz recenzencki
July 13, 2024
بسمه تعالی
چگونه شکوفا بشویم و احساس سر زندگی کنیم.
1-توصیه های شکوفائی:سرزندگی -ورزش گروهی-گرفتن دست عزیزان
2-تفاوت میان افرادی که دسترسی مدیریت را کنترل می کنند در سر رندگی است.
دونوع افراد داریم 1)افراد تفلنی (سرزنده) 2) افراد چسبکی:(فعالیتهای پشمک روح :در کوتاه مدت خوب به نظر میرسد اما در بلند مدت بد است.
محمد علی کلی: گاهی وجود یک سنگ ریزه در کفش شما را فرسوده میکند و آزرده خاطر میکند نه کوهی که در مقابل برای فتح کردن دارید
به این سه چیز بیشتر باید اهمیت داد 1.. ایتقلال 2.. شایستگی 3.. ارتباط از اهمیت زیادی برخوردار است.
3- پرورش سر زندگی به معنی حذف عوامل استرس زا نیست بلکه به معنی فعالیت در چهارچوب آنهاست
تحقیقات روی موشها 1))بدست آوردن غذا با جستجوی دانه: موشها سخت کوش (دشواری خوش آیند) 2))بدست آوردن غذا بدون جستجو:30% کمتر فعالیت داشتند
4- اولین قدم در انجام سر زندگی انتخاب عمدی آن است(خودتان باشید.)
5- ایجاد و حفظ ارتباط با دیگران منبع قدرتمند سر زندگی است.ورزش کوه نوردی به تنهایی سخت است.اضطراب بعذ=د از به آغوش کشیدن کمتر میشود.دست همسران را گرفتن-دوست داشتن و دوست داشته شدن.در هنگام گفتگو گوشی را کنار بگذارید (ارتباط چشمی ماثر)(پاسخ سازنده ACR)
اصب من دوستت دارم نیست بلکه به من بیشتر بگو هست.
6- زاه دیگر ایجاد سر زندگی به چالش کشیدن خود می باشد.
دانشمندان که جایزه نوبل را گرفته اند نسبت به دانشمندان معمولی 2.5 برابر بیشتر احتمال یک سرگرمی خاص و مشغولیت دائمی دائمی داشته باشند.
شاد باشید اما گاهی ناراحت بودن هم اشکالی ندارد.
در غالب کلمات مشکلات را بیان کنید. ابهام جزء لایانفک زندگی است و با بیان مشکلات می توان ریشه یابی کردد و همزیستی کرد راه حل مناسب را پیدا کرد.
7- زمینه فکری شما زمانی می خواهید زندگی ایجاد کنید اهمیت دارد.
8- اخبار بد را پیگیری نکمید.
9-به کسی که مشکلی دارد راه کار نشان ندهید و به جای آن بپرسید اگر کس دیگری در این موقعیت دوچار بود به او چه پیشنهادی می دهد.
چگونه شکوفا بشویم و احساس سر زندگی کنیم.
1-توصیه های شکوفائی:سرزندگی -ورزش گروهی-گرفتن دست عزیزان
2-تفاوت میان افرادی که دسترسی مدیریت را کنترل می کنند در سر رندگی است.
دونوع افراد داریم 1)افراد تفلنی (سرزنده) 2) افراد چسبکی:(فعالیتهای پشمک روح :در کوتاه مدت خوب به نظر میرسد اما در بلند مدت بد است.
محمد علی کلی: گاهی وجود یک سنگ ریزه در کفش شما را فرسوده میکند و آزرده خاطر میکند نه کوهی که در مقابل برای فتح کردن دارید
به این سه چیز بیشتر باید اهمیت داد 1.. ایتقلال 2.. شایستگی 3.. ارتباط از اهمیت زیادی برخوردار است.
3- پرورش سر زندگی به معنی حذف عوامل استرس زا نیست بلکه به معنی فعالیت در چهارچوب آنهاست
تحقیقات روی موشها 1))بدست آوردن غذا با جستجوی دانه: موشها سخت کوش (دشواری خوش آیند) 2))بدست آوردن غذا بدون جستجو:30% کمتر فعالیت داشتند
4- اولین قدم در انجام سر زندگی انتخاب عمدی آن است(خودتان باشید.)
5- ایجاد و حفظ ارتباط با دیگران منبع قدرتمند سر زندگی است.ورزش کوه نوردی به تنهایی سخت است.اضطراب بعذ=د از به آغوش کشیدن کمتر میشود.دست همسران را گرفتن-دوست داشتن و دوست داشته شدن.در هنگام گفتگو گوشی را کنار بگذارید (ارتباط چشمی ماثر)(پاسخ سازنده ACR)
اصب من دوستت دارم نیست بلکه به من بیشتر بگو هست.
6- زاه دیگر ایجاد سر زندگی به چالش کشیدن خود می باشد.
دانشمندان که جایزه نوبل را گرفته اند نسبت به دانشمندان معمولی 2.5 برابر بیشتر احتمال یک سرگرمی خاص و مشغولیت دائمی دائمی داشته باشند.
شاد باشید اما گاهی ناراحت بودن هم اشکالی ندارد.
در غالب کلمات مشکلات را بیان کنید. ابهام جزء لایانفک زندگی است و با بیان مشکلات می توان ریشه یابی کردد و همزیستی کرد راه حل مناسب را پیدا کرد.
7- زمینه فکری شما زمانی می خواهید زندگی ایجاد کنید اهمیت دارد.
8- اخبار بد را پیگیری نکمید.
9-به کسی که مشکلی دارد راه کار نشان ندهید و به جای آن بپرسید اگر کس دیگری در این موقعیت دوچار بود به او چه پیشنهادی می دهد.
November 19, 2021
This book grabbed my attention at the library and I almost didn’t take it because I thought it looked too “self-help-y.” So glad I didn’t let that get to me. As someone up against clinical depression, it helped me shift my thinking in a really helpful way. And also implement that thinking into action! The author, psychiatrist Dr. Boardman, prioritizes taking deliberate action vs. getting overly heady about what you’re feeling and why.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels stressed out, disconnected, exhausted, or all of the above. This quote sums up a lot of the book’s message:
In an effort to lift their spirits, people prioritize self-immersion over connection. Instead of living full, embodied, deliberate lives, they look for shortcuts while pursing the ultimate goal: a carefree life. A carefree life might sound appealing, but it’s our caring for others—and about causes—that fortifies us. When we care, we are engaged. We participate. We dig in. We persist. Investing time and expending energy beyond the immediate self can be challenging and stressful. It is also gratifying and sustaining. When you extend, expand, and stretch yourself, you are more likely to create enduring psychological resources.
It seems obvious, and yet that seems to defy a lot of the messaging in the “self-care movement.” I can’t say enough good things about this book!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels stressed out, disconnected, exhausted, or all of the above. This quote sums up a lot of the book’s message:
In an effort to lift their spirits, people prioritize self-immersion over connection. Instead of living full, embodied, deliberate lives, they look for shortcuts while pursing the ultimate goal: a carefree life. A carefree life might sound appealing, but it’s our caring for others—and about causes—that fortifies us. When we care, we are engaged. We participate. We dig in. We persist. Investing time and expending energy beyond the immediate self can be challenging and stressful. It is also gratifying and sustaining. When you extend, expand, and stretch yourself, you are more likely to create enduring psychological resources.
It seems obvious, and yet that seems to defy a lot of the messaging in the “self-care movement.” I can’t say enough good things about this book!
April 23, 2022
Everyday Vitality by Dr. Samantha Boardman focuses on cultivating vitality, which is the positive feeling of aliveness or energy. She also defines it as the ability to feel like you can handle whatever comes your way, both physically and psychologically. I thought this book was pretty good and had some pearls of wisdom, but it didn’t rock my view of my own world. It was really broad and jumped around from topic to topic, instead of really digging in deep to several key points. I really appreciated the chapter on rumination and introspection (I’m guilty of too much of both), and the emphasis this book placed on effort and action instead of just introspection in search of vitality. The biggest practical lessons I’ll immediately put into place moving forward is practicing “other-praising gratitude” (appreciate the efforts of others) and try making simultaneous changes (instead of waiting for one habit to kick in before trying to start another). She’s a good writer and I appreciated the scientific evidence she pointed to and anecdotes from her own practice, but I’d recommend this book specifically for someone at the beginning of their wellness journey.
July 23, 2022
This was fine. I read the first few chapters and skimmed the rest. The basic idea is even if there's nothing drastically wrong in your life and you're feeling kind of meh, go out and do something. Connect with people in your community, spend time with your family, do that exercise class you've been putting off, etc. You're welcome now you don't need to read the book.
I had issue with the point the author was trying to make that a lot of people are feeling drained and depressed now because they just haven't been taught that hardship and difficulties are a part of life, as compared to the boomer generation who all knew how to struggle (I'm paraphrasing). I'm sorry, but times are really tough right now with the pandemic, inflation, everyone being overworked and underpaid, and oh yes, the country going further into the garbage thanks to boomers.
She's also shortsighted about people turning inwards in times of stress. I don't think she addresses introverts and their need to replenish energy lost by going out and mingling.
I had issue with the point the author was trying to make that a lot of people are feeling drained and depressed now because they just haven't been taught that hardship and difficulties are a part of life, as compared to the boomer generation who all knew how to struggle (I'm paraphrasing). I'm sorry, but times are really tough right now with the pandemic, inflation, everyone being overworked and underpaid, and oh yes, the country going further into the garbage thanks to boomers.
She's also shortsighted about people turning inwards in times of stress. I don't think she addresses introverts and their need to replenish energy lost by going out and mingling.
August 17, 2022
It’s kind of hard to review a self help book, because meaning is so personal. You can call a novel or a history empirically good, but if the reader can’t relate to a book designed to help them through something they might not need help with, it’s meaningless. So maybe this is a 5 star book when I read about vitality (not happiness) being the opposite of depression or it’s a 2 star because if I hear one more person saying eating healthy and taking walks will get me out of my 2 year funk, I’m gonna lose my shit. I almost went on antidepressants earlier this year, thinking it was the easy way out, but was able to rationalize my way through (and yes, exercise and diet have helped). This book is building on the foundation I’ve begun of self awareness, forgiving myself, an irregular schedule of meditation, and setting small, attainable goals. There are enough wisdom nuggets in here to warrant a decent rating, but you’ll have to decide for yourself.
January 5, 2023
This was a refreshing self help book. It wasn't "you need to do this" and "stop doing that". Dr. Samantha Boardman did a fantastic job in showing the reader basic human reactions, habits, and behaviors and unraveling why we do such things.
Each chapter is broken down into easily digestible sections. She didn't drag out what she was trying to address. She included the perfect amount of client examples and studies to back her claims.
I dogeared a few passages that gave a new insight into problem-solving and addressing internal issues. WOOP is something I am going to try to implement with my husband. It makes you realize that we have all of these high hopes and big goals but we never want to address what could go wrong and how to "fix" the obstacles we face during our journeys.
Everyday Vitality was an easy read. Her writing style made me feel like I was talking with a friend. This is a good read to jumpstart your 2023 New Year.
Each chapter is broken down into easily digestible sections. She didn't drag out what she was trying to address. She included the perfect amount of client examples and studies to back her claims.
I dogeared a few passages that gave a new insight into problem-solving and addressing internal issues. WOOP is something I am going to try to implement with my husband. It makes you realize that we have all of these high hopes and big goals but we never want to address what could go wrong and how to "fix" the obstacles we face during our journeys.
Everyday Vitality was an easy read. Her writing style made me feel like I was talking with a friend. This is a good read to jumpstart your 2023 New Year.
December 18, 2021
Dr. Samantha Boardman has written a compelling book on self care and becoming a stronger version of yourself by turning outward, doing things to help others, focusing less on I and more on you/we. The best thing about this book is that Dr. Boardman mixes in 1) patient stories to illustrate a point, and 2) science-based research to support her hypotheses or suggestions on how to cultivate a better life. The central message is vitality (or a rewarding, interesting life) comes from doing things that are outside our comfort zone, other-focused, action based. Interestingly, our book club learned that Dr. Boardman is a certified NYC socialite - wealthy and connected! So, not your run of the mill (if there is such a thing) doctor. Solid 4 stars and good to refer back to periodically to update your perspective on life.
November 9, 2021
I loved this book for its scientific and fresh take on how to manage stress and feel more vitality and interest in our lives. I feel like so much lately we hear “the oxygen mask” approach: Take care of yourself before you help others. And while this book advocates taking care of yourself with proper sleep, exercise and eating, it also cautions us against becoming so introspective and self-immersed as it can actually exacerbate feelings of discontent. There is definitely more focus on looking out of ourselves and serving others and getting more engaged in our world, which I feel is really the missing piece in most of our lives. This book really resonated with me and I will be going back to certain sections more than once.
August 10, 2022
Searching for more energy in my life, I picked up this audiobook. In the months since I have been blessed with the mundanity of the answer. The author offered many tips, but the ones that I needed to hear were: let nature passively refuel you, expand your world outside of yourself (the best self-help can be to think of yourself less), learning something new/doing something active while taking energy builds momentum. There is no free source of energy to plug your body into. Even the basics of food, exercise, and sleep cost time and discipline. But you can redesign your life so that when you are tired by the end of the day, you are also satisfied with what you've done and excited to do it again tomorrow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2021
The key message :
Stress is an inevitable part of modern life. Rather than avoiding it, you can become more resilient by embracing the positive aspects of the challenges that come your way. By being intentional, reaching out to others, and seeking out challenges, you can cultivate vitality. Developing vitality is a win-win, as the more positive you are, the more positivity you seek out and create. Vitality can help you thrive amid chaos and uncertainty. Next time a tough job, difficult person, or frightening news day comes your way, practice the lessons in these blinks and make those challenges work for you.
Stress is an inevitable part of modern life. Rather than avoiding it, you can become more resilient by embracing the positive aspects of the challenges that come your way. By being intentional, reaching out to others, and seeking out challenges, you can cultivate vitality. Developing vitality is a win-win, as the more positive you are, the more positivity you seek out and create. Vitality can help you thrive amid chaos and uncertainty. Next time a tough job, difficult person, or frightening news day comes your way, practice the lessons in these blinks and make those challenges work for you.
February 9, 2022
Thought-provoking without feeling overly "tough love". In turns intuitive and challenging in ways I found helpful. The tone particularly stood out to me: it didn't coddle or go uber-casual, yet it stayed readable despite the book's strong basis in research. In other words, it was a bit like speaking with a friendly psychiatrist, like the one writing the book.
There were many points, but a main emphasis was that wellness is not only removing negativity and seeking health with a tunnel vision on oneself—adding life-giving "uplifts" and being intentionally other-focused can make a huge difference in quality of life.
There were many points, but a main emphasis was that wellness is not only removing negativity and seeking health with a tunnel vision on oneself—adding life-giving "uplifts" and being intentionally other-focused can make a huge difference in quality of life.
March 13, 2022
I love the concept of vitality apply to physical and mental health as opposed to a disease model. But it felt like often in the review of the studies review of the literature parts of the book it was tired repetition of the studies I've heard about over and over through the years. I know that I'm a mental health professional and probably have more interest in and therefore exposure to psychological studies but I could have done with the book being half as long and not including quite as much background material.
I like Samantha Boardman's clinical experiences and thought she shared them respectfully and helpfully.
I like Samantha Boardman's clinical experiences and thought she shared them respectfully and helpfully.
October 31, 2021
Everyday Vitality proposes that the key to dealing with stress is intentionality. You can't just avoid your problems with things like TV and food. You should instead seek out challenges, maintain a hoby, reach out to others, make plans, take care of yourself (exercise, sleep), etc.. By doing proactive things, you can cultivate vitality that will help you with the stresses in your life. The more positive you are, the more positivity you create. I think these are simple but valuable lessons. Of course, as with any self-help book, it's always easier said than done.
January 5, 2024
While having a background in social work and attempting to understand my own daily stresses and anxiety I was looking for a way to cultivate a life that supports my goals of enjoying life and productivity. She does a great job of explaining why we may find ourselves becoming more stressed and offers tools and encouragement to help weed our way through obstacles that get in our way. This is my first review on good reads and could not recommend this book more to someone looking to either educate themselves for both professional and personal reasons.
February 14, 2025
Everyday Vitality" is an easy, helpful and practical guide for those looking to enhance their mental well-being through small, intentional changes. Samantha Boardman’s accessible writing and actionable advice make it a worthwhile read.
However, its occasional oversimplification of mental health challenges may limit its impact for some audiences. Ultimately, while the book offers valuable insights, readers should approach it as a starting point rather than an exhaustive resource on mental well-being.
However, its occasional oversimplification of mental health challenges may limit its impact for some audiences. Ultimately, while the book offers valuable insights, readers should approach it as a starting point rather than an exhaustive resource on mental well-being.
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