Dr. Kari Leibowitz on How to Overcome the Winter Blues

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Passion Struck! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Kari Leibowitz, a Stanford-trained health psychologist, Fulbright scholar, and leading authority in mindset science. Dr. Leibowitz’s groundbreaking research delves deep into how our mindset can significantly impact our health, well-being, and resilience during life’s most challenging seasons. Her book, “How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days,” is a transformative guide that promises to help us find joy and meaning even in the most trying times.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

And in case you didn’t already know it, John R. Miles (@John_R_Miles) takes your comments and questions for Momentum Friday right here every week! If you want him to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now, let’s dive in!\

Hear the secrets and philosophy of the World’s GREATEST high achievers every Tuesday and Thursday, and tune in each week for an inspirational Momentum Friday solo message.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

Winter Blues Got You Down? Dr. Kari Leibowitz Has the Solution

Discover how Dr. Leibowitz’s time living above the Arctic Circle taught her powerful lessons on joy, connection, and thriving during the Polar Night. Learn evidence-based techniques to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), maintain positivity, and build a resilient mindset that helps you navigate life’s metaphorical winters with grace and strength.

Don’t let winter bring you down! Tune in for valuable insights and actionable tips that will empower you to find light in the darkness and strength in adversity. Whether you’re preparing for the literal challenges of winter or facing personal struggles, Dr. Leibowitz’s wisdom will inspire and guide yo

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• How a positive mindset influences physical and mental well-being.
• Evidence-based techniques for thriving during winter.
• Insights from Arctic cultures on flourishing in darkness.
• Practical ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.).
• The importance of rest, intention, and deliberate choices for resilience.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH KARI LEIBOWITZ MILLER A MUST-LISTEN?

As we step into the winter blues and face various personal challenges, Dr. Leibowitz’s insights couldn’t be more relevant. Whether you’re dealing with the literal cold and darkness of winter or metaphorical struggles in your life, this episode provides timely guidance to help you navigate these times with strength and grace.

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Dr. Kari Leibowitz on Using Mindset Science and Resilience

Dr. Kari Leibowitz shares her profound insights from years of dedicated research on mindset science. She elucidates how our mindset—the lens through which we view and interpret our experiences—can significantly transform our approach to difficult seasons, such as the cold, dark days of winter or challenging periods in our lives. Dr. Leibowitz has uncovered the powerful connection between our thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being through her groundbreaking studies.

She explains that our mindset is not just a passive reflection of our circumstances but an active force that can shape our reality. By cultivating a positive and adaptive mindset, we can enhance our resilience and capacity to thrive, even in the most adverse conditions. Her research shows that people who develop a “wintertime mindset,” with an acceptance and appreciation of winter’s unique challenges, report higher levels of well-being and satisfaction.

To bring these concepts to life, Dr. Leibowitz provides practical examples of how mindset shifts can help us navigate challenging times. She shares compelling stories of individuals and communities who have successfully applied these principles to transform their experiences of winter and other tough seasons. These real-world applications illustrate how small changes in perspective can significantly improve well-being.

Dr. Leibowitz also offers actionable tips and techniques for fostering a resilient mindset in everyday life. She suggests simple practices such as setting intentional daily goals, practicing gratitude, and reframing negative thoughts. These strategies can help us build mental and emotional resilience, making it easier to cope with stress and adversity.

Tips and Techniques:

1. Set Intentional Goals:
   • Start each day with a clear intention or goal that aligns with your values and priorities.
   • Focus on small, achievable steps that contribute to your overall well-being.
2. Practice Gratitude:
   • Take time each day to reflect on and appreciate the positive aspects of your life.
   • Keep a gratitude journal to document moments of joy and gratitude.
3. Reframe Negative Thoughts:
   • Challenge and reframe negative thoughts by considering alternative, more positive interpretations.
   • Practice self-compassion and remind yourself of your strengths and capabilities.
4. Engage in Positive Activities:
   • Participate in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, whether it’s a hobby, exercise, or spending time with loved ones.
   • Seek out new experiences that challenge and inspire you.
5. Cultivate a Supportive Environment:
   • Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals who uplift and encourage you.
   • Create a physical environment that promotes well-being, such as a cozy space to relax and recharge.

Lessons from the Arctic

Living Above the Arctic Circle:

Dr. Kari Leibowitz shares her extraordinary experiences and the fascinating research she conducted while living above the Arctic Circle. This unique region is known for the Polar Night, a period lasting about two months when the sun does not rise above the horizon, plunging the area into continuous darkness. Despite these seemingly harsh conditions, Dr. Leibowitz observed that the local populations not only cope with but often thrive during these extended periods of darkness.

Through her immersive research, Dr. Leibowitz discovered that the key to flourishing in such an environment lies in the mindset and cultural practices of the people. She highlights how the inhabitants of the Arctic Circle cultivate a “wintertime mindset,” which allows them to find joy, connection, and resilience despite the lack of sunlight. This mindset involves embracing the winter season with a sense of acceptance and appreciation, rather than resisting or dreading it.

Surprising Lessons on Joy, Connection, and Resilience:

1. Joy in the Dark:
   • Dr. Leibowitz explains how Arctic cultures find joy in winter through engaging in activities that foster a sense of community and celebration. Festivals, gatherings, and outdoor adventures are embraced as opportunities to connect with others and create positive experiences, even in the darkness.
2. Strengthening Connections:
   • The importance of social connections becomes even more evident during the Polar Night. People prioritize spending quality time with family and friends, strengthening their support networks. These connections provide emotional resilience and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for well-being in challenging times.
3. Building Resilience:
   • Resilience is cultivated through intentional practices and a positive attitude towards winter. By focusing on what they can control and finding meaning in their daily routines, Arctic inhabitants develop a robust mental and emotional resilience that allows them to thrive despite the external environment.

THANKS, DR. KARI LEIBOWITZ

If you enjoyed this interview with Kari Leibowitz, let her know by clicking on the link below and sending him a quick shout on Instagram:

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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW 

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Dr. Kari Leibowitz’s Website
2. Dr. Kari Leibowitz’s LinkedIn
3. Dr. Kari Leibowitz’s Twitter
4. Dr. Kari Leibowitz Substack
5. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
6. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
7. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

My solo episode on The 6 Key Steps to Bold Risk-Taking for Personal Growth

My episode with Heather Moyse on How to Create a Gold Medal Mindset

Watch my episode with Rebecca Rosen on Unveiling Your Divine Purpose

Catch my interview with Jessica Kriegel on How to Build an Intentional Workplace

Listen to my conversation with Lauren Handel Zander on Unlocking the Power of Radical Personal Accountability

About Today’s Guest, Dr. Kari Leibowitz

Kari Leibowitz is a health psychologist, speaker, and writer dedicated to understanding and harnessing the power of mindsets to improve health and well-being. Her research focuses on how changing our mindsets can transform our experiences, especially during challenging seasons. Kari has trained healthcare teams, designed and taught the Stanford course “Mindsets Matter,” and studied compassion meditation with Tibetan monks and nuns.

Kari earned her PhD in Social Psychology from Stanford University, where she worked in the Stanford Mind & Body Lab. She has also served as a U.S.-Norway Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tromsø. Kari’s mission is to make science-backed strategies for mindset change accessible to improve lives, communities, and the world.

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