By Tanni Haas, Ph.D. | Good Life Family Contributor
January is a great time to focus on Mind-Body Wellness and to consider what you can do to improve your overall well-being and ability to cope with various stressors. One option is to let yourself be inspired by some of the many wellness podcasts available. The thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them whenever you have a spare moment, even when you’re doing other things. Here are some excellent ones.
“Another Mother Runner”
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
If you’ve ever thought about taking up running but need a little push to get started, listen to Another Mother Runner. Created and hosted by Sarah Shea and Dimity McDowell, veteran marathon runners and moms of three and two kids respectively, this podcast deal with all aspects of running. Recent episodes discuss how to say healthy and injury-free before a race, what to eat to get in optimal form, how to increase your stamina and overcome pain, and how to develop the mental toughness to accomplish what you set out to do.
“Strong Moms Fitness Podcast”
(Available at: Apple, Podtail, Spotify)
While Another Mother Runner is aimed at moms of all ages, the Strong Moms Fitness Podcast is specifically for expectant and newly-minted moms. The brainchild of Daisy Bravo, a certified pre and post natal exercise specialist, this podcast is all about helping women stay fit during and after pregnancy. Through conversations with a variety of other experts, Daisy covers topics such as the proper diet and exercise regiment, which vitamins and supplements to take to stay healthy, and how to get a good night’s sleep despite all the things on your plate.
“The Fit Parent”
(Available at: Apple, Podbean, Spotify)
The Fit Parent Podcast focuses on yet another demographic, namely middle-aged moms and dads who’re often struggling with staying fit amidst life’s many other and sometimes conflicting demands. Created and hosted by Tyler Pourteau, a well-known fitness coach and certified personal trainer, this podcast explores questions like how to set fitness goals and stick to them, get in the necessary steps despite a sedentary job, stay on track with healthy eating while traveling or eating out, and how intermittent fasting can boost your metabolism.
“The Wellness Mama”
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Where the previous three podcasts discuss how parents can stay physically fit, The Wellness Mama Podcast is more concerned with parents’ (and especially moms’) overall well-being. Created and hosted by Katie Wells, a certified health coach, mom of six, and author of several books, this podcast offers a holistic approach to emotional wellness. During interviews with various experts, Katie covers important topics such as how to maintain a healthy mindset and outlook on life in the face of obstacles and how to overcome perfectionism and self-doubt.
HERSelf
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Like The Wellness Mama, HERSelf discusses how parents can de-stress their lives and enhance their emotional well-being. It was created by Abby Green and Amy Kiefer, two moms who, after long careers in sales and nursing respectively, decided to share their life experiences (they each have three kids) with other moms. Recent topics include the importance of asking for what you need, how to create and maintain a satisfying relationship with your partner, and how to love your kids without losing yourself in the process.
The SelfWork Podcast
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Dr. Margaret Robinson Rutherford, a clinical psychologist who’s been practicing for more than 30 years, draws heavily on her extensive experience on her podcast, The SelfWork Podcast. Recent episodes explore topics such as emotional self-regulation, self-acceptance and love, and how making and maintaining close friendships can strengthen your emotional health. One of Dr. Rutherford’s central points is that emotional well-being requires one to acknowledge and address one’s own needs instead of trying to satisfy everyone else’s needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
