In her new book “Presence” by Amy Cuddy, who is best known for her 2012 TED talk, brings to light another important factor that influences our health and wellness, defining our core values and beliefs.

Studies have shown that self-affirming your core values protects from stress, helps with raising grades, reduces bullying, helps in quitting smoking and healthful eating, decreases stress and improves couples therapy outcomes. It also sharpens negotiation skills.

Our values represent the “why” of what we are doing. For instance we don’t just want to eat food, which is the action, we may want to make sure our kids have nourishment, or create feeling of connection while eating our food with others.

Need help in defining your values?  Start here:
http://bigthink.com/videos/amy-cuddy-on-presence-in-social-interactions
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_85.htm
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/05/31/30-days-to-a-better-man-day-1-define-your-core-values/

Dr. Brian