BONUS: Transform Your Life with Practical Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma

Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

Cynthia Thurlow

Alternative Health, Nutrition, Science, Life Sciences, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today, I have the pleasure of connecting with Dr. Sue Varma. Dr. Varma is a privately-practicing board-certified psychiatrist and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University. She is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, medical contributor, media consultant, and advisor to leading television networks and programs. In our discussion today, we examine the impact of shared life experiences like 9/11 and the pandemic, exploring the role of PTSD and the effects of practical optimism, self-care, and self-reliance. We discuss optimism, its inheritability, and the significance of milestones for women, including transitioning from high school to college, navigating midlife, and addressing feelings of loneliness. We also look into purpose and compassion, the complexities of processing emotions, the challenges of the perfectionism façade, the role of trauma, ACE scores, autoimmunity, and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Varma discusses the collective sense of grief, fear, connection, and empathy after 9/11 and the pandemic The importance of optimism and resilience when dealing with tragedy How Dr. Varma helps her patients identify their blind spots and other areas for improvement in their lives How perimenopause can bring about a sexual awakening and increased desire for intimacy but also loneliness and dissatisfaction in relationships Why friendships are essential for our well-being Why do we need to invest in different types of connections and relationships? The critical importance of finding purpose in life How unprocessed emotions affect our mental and physical well-being How trauma impacts mental health Some practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into daily life The benefits of meditation Bio: Dr. Sue Varma is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Varma was the first medical director and attending psychiatrist at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program at NYU Langone Health, treating civilians and first responders in the aftermath of 9/11. Dr. Varma is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, medical contributor, media advisor, and consultant to major networks and shows. She regularly appears on the Today Show, Nightly News, CBS Mornings, and Good Morning America and is frequently interviewed by Time, Washington Post, NPR, and beyond. Dr. Varma is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for her ground-breaking efforts in mental health education and advocacy, including a Sharecare Emmy. Her forthcoming book, “Practical Optimism,” is eagerly anticipated worldwide, with translations in several languages. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Sue Varma On her website Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Dr. Varma's book, Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Everyday Wellness Podcast.
0:04.2	I'm your host, nurse practitioner, Cynthia Thurlow.
0:07.5	This podcast is designed to educate, empower, and inspire you to achieve your health and wellness goals.
0:13.9	My goal and intent is to provide you with the best content and conversations from leaders in the health and wellness industry each week and
0:21.6	impact over a million lives.
0:29.0	This is the start of bonus Mondays, a compilation of the top episodes over the past three years for everyday wellness.
0:40.8	And I have to tell you, when I went through all of this research and data, it was apparent to me that we have a very eclectic, diverse group of clinicians, science writers, personal trainers, and experts. I know you will love this new series. Every
0:57.8	Monday, we're dropping some of the biggest podcasts of the last three years. These are your
1:03.2	favorites, the most downloaded, ones that have resonated with you. And I love that we're going to be
1:09.3	able to share these every Monday so that you can
1:11.6	revisit some of these amazing episodes.
1:16.8	Today I had the honor of connecting with Dr. Sue Varma.
1:20.3	She's a board certified psychiatrist in private practice and a clinical assistant professor
1:25.0	of psychiatry at NYU.
1:27.0	She's a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, medical contributor, media advisor, and consultant
1:32.3	to the major networks and TV shows.
1:35.0	Today, we spoke at length about the impact of both 9-11 and the pandemic as a shared life
1:40.8	experience, the role of PTSD, the impact of practical optimism, self-care and
1:47.1	self-reliance, the role of optimism and how there is a degree of inheritability to it,
1:53.7	major milestones for women, including transitioning from high school to college,
1:58.4	midlife loneliness, and more, the role of purpose and compassion, processing emotions, and the perfectionism facade,
2:06.6	the role of trauma, ACE scores, and autoimmunity, mindfulness and meditation, and so much
	...

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