Is your job quietly taking over your life? đ°đź In this episode, Daniela explores the growing problem of work stress and burnout, sharing how chronic stress can shift the brain into survival mode and impact our health, creativity, and decision-making. đ§ âĄ
The good news? Simple practices like conscious breathing, hand massage, self-hugs, and even water can help calm the nervous system and bring us back into balance. đ§đŤś Daniela's message is simple: don't wait for your wake-up callâyour wellbeing matters now. â¨
FREE GIFT: We would love to offer your audience a complimentary neuroscience-based Happiness at Work Workshop for their organization. The workshop provides practical tools to reduce workplace stress, prevent burnout, improve wellbeing, and create healthier and happier ways of working. There is no cost for the workshop. To request one, simply email jines@happyorganizations.org
BOOK: For Those Who Have a Job and Are Not Happy... Yet | Barnes & NobleÂŽ
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Episode Summary:
Key Takeaways
- Work stress is a crisis: 6/10 US/Canadian workers are "workaholics" (defined by constant work thoughts, Sunday anxiety, Friday relief), leading to burnout and health issues.
- Burnout rewires the brain for survival: Chronic stress depletes GABA, shifting the brain from creative problem-solving to a reactive "fight or flight" mode.
- Simple tools calm the nervous system: Techniques like conscious breathing, hand massage, and self-hugs trigger calming neurotransmitters (serotonin, oxytocin) to counteract stress.
- Free resources are available: Happy Organizations offers a free, anonymous "Workaholics Anonymous Lab" and a complimentary neuroscience workshop for Melissa's audience.
Topics
The Problem: Work Stress & Burnout
- Daniela's work was inspired by her own stress-induced hospitalization 20 years ago.
- The average person spends ~90,000 hours at work, making purpose and happiness essential.
- "Don't wait for your wake up call" â Find purpose now to avoid deathbed regrets.
- "Workaholics Anonymous Lab"
- A free, anonymous online support group (Saturdays via Google Meets).
- Created by Happy Organizations, Inc. (a collective of scientists, strategists, etc.) to address the crisis.
- Goal: Provide tools to regulate the nervous system without organizational pressure.
- Rationale: Free access ensures no worker is left without support due to cost.
The Science: How Stress Impacts the Brain
- Chronic stress depletes GABA: This neurotransmitter, which normally promotes calm, is overused.
- Brain shifts to survival mode: The system enters "fight or flight," focusing on defense over creativity.
- Consequences:
- Impaired decision-making
- Reduced conflict resolution skills
- Increased susceptibility to illness
- Productivity research: Shorter workweeks (e.g., 4-day) increase productivity and loyalty, proving less work with more consciousness is more effective.
The Solution: Simple Neuroscience Tools
- These tools are divided into pre-work, during-work, and post-work categories.
- Conscious Breathing:
- Stress â fast, shallow mouth breathing, which signals danger to the nervous system.
- Technique: Nose breath, hold, mouth exhale. This calms the system and improves brain function.
- Self-Massage:
- Massaging hands and fingers triggers calming neurotransmitters (serotonin, oxytocin).
- Benefit: A discreet way to self-regulate during stressful meetings.
- Self-Hugs:
- A powerful way to self-soothe, best done in private (e.g., a bathroom break).
- Water:
- Drinking water and submerging hands can have a calming effect.
About the Guest:
Dr. Daniela Jines is an internationally recognized Happiness at Work Strategist, researcher, author, and global advocate for happiness at work as a human right. A PhD in Organizational Happiness and Fulbright Scholar, she is the co-founder of Happy Organizations and Director of Happiness & Culture at SurfBreak HawaiĘťi. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and research across 30+ countries, Daniela combines neuroscience, organizational science, human rights, and practical tools to help leaders build healthier, happier, and higher-performing workplaces.
Contact info:
Website: https://www.happyorganizations.org
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-jines-90b701170/
Instagram: @behappyatwork1.
TOPICS:
Workaholics Anonymous Lab â Why we created a free global community to help people build a healthier relationship with work, prevent burnout, and learn practical tools for wellbeing.
Free neuroscience tools to feel better at work â Simple practices people can use immediately to reduce chronic stress, calm the amygdala, protect cognitive performance, and recover during the workday.
What happens to the brain when we work too much â How prolonged cognitive effort affects the prefrontal cortex, glutamate, cortisol, creativity, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Why happiness at work should be accessible to everyone â Well being shouldn't depend on whether an employee or organization can afford expensive programs; practical education and support can be made freely available.
How to start changing your relationship with work today â Small, realistic changes involvingâŚ.
About the Host:
Melissa is an Integrative Health Practitioner and a Board Designated Master Trainer of Hypnotherapy, Trainer of NLP, Time Line TherapyÂŽ, and NLP Results Coaching, helping people get to the root cause of their health issues and then get lasting results. Melissa neither diagnoses nor cures but helps bring your body back into balance by helping discover your âtoxic loadâ and then removing the toxins. Melissa offers functional medicine lab testing that helps you âsee insideâ to know exactly what is going on, and then provides a personalized wellness protocol using natural herbs and supplements. Melissaâs business is 100% virtual â the lab tests are mailed directly to your home and she specializes in holding your hand and guiding the way to healing so that you donât have to figure it all out on your own.
Melissa has launched Amplify Impact Academy, with business partner, Billie Aadmi and together they train other coaches, practitioners and counsellors in the 4 mind-body healing modalities mentioned above, giving them powerful tools to use with clients to get results with greater ease, speed and grace. These courses teach life skills and anyone can take them, if you want to be a better leader, parent, partner, be empowered in your own life, these courses are for you!
Melissaâs passion project is her non-profit, Girls Matter (www.girlsmatter.ca), breaking the poverty cycle 1 girl, 1 family, 1 village at a time. The mission is to keep girls in school and stop teenage marriages, because school isnât free in over 50 countries around the world and when parents have to make the difficult choices of feeding their kids or paying for school, food wins. And when the girls hit their teen years, they will often be married off so that someone else becomes responsible to feed them. Keeping girls in school instead creates a generational ripple effect, because an educated girl is more than twice as likely to ensure her own children are educated. Educating girls also grows the GDP of countries, when they get into the workforce. This is how together, we can change the world.Guests on this podcast are invited to donate to this important cause. Learn more here in this short video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3-xqzJLZW14om1PhFClcU_oRSZ8zgip/view?usp=share_link
Melissa is also the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Awards in the âinspiration & motivationâ category and the 2021 & 2022 Quality Care Award by Business From The Heart and is also the recipient of the Alignable âLocal Business Person of the Year âAward 2022, 2023 & 2024 for Whistler.
Melissa has been featured at a number of Health & Wellness Summits, such as the Health, Wealth & Wisdom Summit, The Power To Profit Summit, The Feel Fan-freaking-tas-tic Summit, the Aim Higher Summit and many more! She has also guested on over 90 different podcasts teaching people about the importance of prioritizing our health and how to get started.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yourguidedhealthjourney
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[00:00:05] I am excited to share with you Quantum Life Mastery School. This is what we offer through Amplify Impact Academy, among many other trainings. However, this is our gold standard training. This is the training that allows you to become one of the top 1% of coaches in the world. That as a master practitioner, once you complete this training, you will be able to guarantee your results in writing to your clients.
[00:00:34] Because you are working with neurology and they will no longer be able to do their problem after you've rewired that neurology. Through this Quantum Life Mastery Schools, you will get four designations as a master practitioner of NLP, a master practitioner of Timeline Therapy, a master practitioner of Hypnotherapy,
[00:00:54] and a master practitioner of NLP Results Coaching. And throughout this program, we build on the learnings as you go through the practitioner training, as well as some personal growth trainings to get to that master practitioner level. And this work is so powerful. You will literally, in just working with clients for 10 to 12 hours, transform their lives. And even better, this is a master practitioner of NLP,
[00:01:24] this isn't just for coaches. We call it Quantum Life Mastery Skills because this is literally life skills. We've had people come through that want to be better parents, better partners, better leaders at work. One fellow came through because he knew the power of mindset with his golf game. He wanted to improve his golf game. And when you do this work for yourself, your life improves, regardless of whether you're a coach.
[00:01:48] And the ripple effect of your life improving and up-leveling yourself has profound positive impact on your family and loved ones as well. So check out the link in the show notes to the Amplify Impact Academy Quantum Life Mastery School.
[00:02:18] Imagine getting up every day full of energy as if you were in your 20s again. What would that be like? What would that be worth to you? What is your health worth to you? Think about it. Your health isn't everything, but without it, everything else is nothing. And yet too many of us are taking it for granted until something goes wrong.
[00:02:41] No one wakes up hoping to be diagnosed with a disease or chronic illness, and yet we've never been taught how to be proactive in our health through our school system or public health. As a registered health coach and integrative health practitioner, I believe it is time this information is made available to everyone.
[00:03:00] Combining new knowledge around your health and the ability to do my functional medicine lab tests in the comfort of your own home will allow you to optimize your health for today and all your tomorrows. Don't wait for your wake up call. Welcome back to another episode of the Don't Wait For Your Wake Up Call!. I am Melissa Deally and here with me today is the lovely Daniela Hines. Did I say your last name correctly?
[00:03:30] You said the name perfect and the last name is Hines, but it sounds so good in your eyes and in your mouth. So yes, perfect. Daniela Hines, welcome to the show. So, so happy and honored to be with you, Melissa. Some of my co-workers and I have reached to you because we did listen to your podcast and we're super, super happy that someone is spreading good reflections into the world. So thank you for that.
[00:03:59] It is my pleasure. And I'd love to just introduce you and your work a little bit to the audience as the foundation of our discussion today. Dr. Daniela Hines is an internationally recognized happiness at work strategist. Doesn't that sound fun? Happiness at work. What a concept. She is a researcher, author and global advocate for happiness at work as a human right. A PhD in organizational happiness and Fulbright scholar.
[00:04:25] She is the co-founder of happy organizations and director of happiness culture at Surf Break Hawaii. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and research across over 30 countries, Daniela combines neuroscience, organizational, organizational science, human rights and practical tools to help leaders build healthier, happier, higher performing workplaces.
[00:04:46] And I love all of this because when we are happier and healthier, we have less stress in our lives and that improves sleep, improves health overall. And that's my line of work. And it's often the workplace that is driving the stress that ultimately down the road leads to some kind of dis-ease of the body. So the work that you're doing is pre preventive of people coming to see me, which I love.
[00:05:11] So let's just start out with how did you get into this line of work in the first place? That's such a powerful question. Thank you. I think that some of us, many of us start our passion once we actually see it face to face. And it shows us a big lesson.
[00:05:31] I believe that 20 years ago, I ended up in the hospital out of stress and the demands of work, being a woman in business, trying to be the best version of myself without knowing the tools on how to do that. And I think that that was a wake up call. And I was already doing humanitarian projects, working with different shelters.
[00:05:59] So I think that that's when it hit me and I started doing the research. We need to understand that the normal, quote unquote, or common worker would spend around 90,000 hours of our lives at work.
[00:06:18] That means that it's most of our lives and it needs to have a purpose and it needs to make us happy, grateful, or at least make us feel something other than stress. That's how it all started. And every day I understand that there's more to know, that my field is only a little piece to make a human whole, but it does help. Absolutely. It does help. And I love your passion with which you answer this question.
[00:06:47] And, you know, it's unfortunate that you had to go through that experience yourself. However, the beauty of it is, is that it's brought you to this place that you're at now where you are helping others. Yes. So like I heard you say, and in many places of your research, Melissa, in our biggest dark cave is where we can have our biggest light and opportunity. And yeah, I heard that from you and your podcast.
[00:07:16] And that's, that's why I love what we are sharing with your community. It's super powerful to learn from the things that are making us uncomfortable and become stronger, grateful, and maybe help others that are going through the same thing. Exactly. You know, life isn't meant to be all unicorns and roses, because ultimately, it would be boring.
[00:07:38] You know, things are happening for us always to learn something, our brains, our minds are designed to never stop learning. And it's a matter of how we choose to face that, you know, recognizing, okay, this is a difficulty in my moment in time right now. And what am I supposed to learn? And when we have that learning, we can move through that difficulty much more quickly than if we sit in the difficulty and say, oh, why is this happening to me? So you're absolutely right.
[00:08:08] You know, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because that's when we know we're learning. So you, in helping others, have created, I love the name of this, Workaholics Anonymous Lab. Tell me more about that and why you built that. Thank you for giving us the chance to spread the word. Well, we believe in data a lot. We're a group of scientists. We're called Happy Organizations, Inc.
[00:08:38] And it's a collective from people from all over the world, different areas, from lawyers, strategists, shamans, healers. And we do research our own data and international data about the state of work and the stress it's creating. Some of the data is very scary. And it's showing us how little organizations are taking responsibility for it.
[00:09:08] We do understand the law part of our collective that it's a responsibility of every organization, of every leader to care about the well-being of the workers. But we're not feeling or seeing data regarding organization taking control of it.
[00:09:29] And the more workshops we have, the more we share with people on the field, we understand the necessity that workers have to share their stories, to ask for advice, to learn tools that are so simple, yet so helpful to regulate the nervous system when the stress is at its highest.
[00:09:51] So we created this workshop called Anonymous, because it seems, according to our data, that six out of 10 people, especially in the USA and Canada, that are addicted to work. By addicted, I mean that six out of 10. And you might say, no, I'm not in that range.
[00:10:16] But then we'll ask you, are you thinking about work when you're not at work? Yes, I am. Yes, I am. Okay. When Sunday night comes, do you feel a little bit of stress or a lot of stress? Yes, yes, that's correct. When Friday is starting to happen, you feel the happiest because the weekend is coming. Yes, yes. And a bunch of questions.
[00:10:42] We actually do have a questionnaire to see if you are a workaholic or not. And most of us are because our income depends on it. So we understood that workaholics, this space, a free space, safe space that does not depend on your organization, it won't cost you any money, is there for you.
[00:11:03] As you know, psychology says that the person, the human needs to pay even a little bit to feel the responsibility towards the workshop or the growth. It is true. But we also found out that people, especially people that are working on the field, they won't invest because they have other priorities. So we offer this space to any workers in the world. We have it available on Spanish for the Spanish community.
[00:11:31] We are creating the French one. And we are in talks with some people in Germany to help us with that field, too. So we cover all of the languages. It's super free once every Saturday, but also helps us to connect with other professionals that want to help for free. So no worker in the world will be left with stress, thinking that it's alone in the world without knowing techniques that are so simple that can help and start making the difference.
[00:12:02] Beautiful. So you do this over Zoom online? People don't have to attend in person, I'm presuming? We don't have to attend in person. It's over Google Meets. It's every Saturday. And it depends on the area of the world that you are located. Basically, what we do is request some information about where you are. And if there's enough people on that side of the world, we create a chapter.
[00:12:28] If not, we'll kindly ask you to adapt to one of the existing chapters that will vary on time. But it's usually Saturday in the morning when you're supposed to be having a little bit more time. And we don't even ask, you know, if you can log in and just listen. Sometimes we share the recordings so people, the people attending are great. Everything is anonymous. So you both won't listen.
[00:12:54] You don't have to feel stressed that someone will listen and think that you are complaining or venting. We try to make this a safe space. And you learn tips that, as I've been reported, they're actually very useful, especially in some cases when, let's say, you want to strangle your boss or a co-worker because there's aggression there. So those tips will help. Beautiful. So let's talk about some of those tips. You mentioned, you know, neuroscience tools to help people feel better at work.
[00:13:22] And some of them are so simple and you can apply them immediately and it can just calm the nervous system. And then applied regularly over time, it can start to lower that chronic stress level, which is what we know causes dis-ease. So are you willing to share some of those here today? All of them, if we would have the time.
[00:13:44] But the beautiful thing about this, Melissa, is that people you've already shared with Indians who just need to be receptive. You've talked about breath work so much. And it's one of the most amazing keys. When we ask our participants to be conscious of how they breathe and how they could breathe, that already can make so much difference.
[00:14:09] When we are stressed, we usually tend to breathe fast or breathe through the mouth. And that for the nervous system, for the parasympathetic system, that's only saying more stress, more risk. Get ready. Get ready for more risk. So one of the most important things we recommend, and it's so easy as be conscious of how you're breathing. Are you doing it super fast?
[00:14:36] If you're doing it super fast, you're only going to become more angry. You're only going to become less receptive. The brain, the frontal lobe, is not going to receive the information properly. Therefore, you're going to take decisions not in the best state of mind. We ask our people to remember, in most of the cases, unless when there is a specific exercise that we ask them to do, always the nose.
[00:15:04] And hold it for a couple of seconds, especially if they are having like a panic attack or an anger attack, and let go through the mouth. That's one of the basics. Another one that we recommend a lot is small self massages. Our hands are powerful, and they have so many nerve endings that can help us relax.
[00:15:28] So let's say that you are on a meeting and you're super stressed and people are scolding at you, yelling at you. It's impossible not to feel hurt, angry, to create defense. So while you're on a meeting, we share the simple tool on how you start massaging your hand to the upside, massaging your fingers.
[00:15:53] And this gives your nervous system a code, and it says everything is okay. The dopamine sometimes, even though we love it, can be dangerous because it's asking us to have fast reward. But when we do calm touch to ourselves, it also triggers serotonin, oxytocin, which are neurotransmitters of calmness as well.
[00:16:23] Another thing that helps tremendously is a self-hug. Of course, you're not going to self-hug while you are at work, but there are little escapades that you can take to the bathroom. Water also helps fantastically. We are asking not to waste water, but also when we use it consciously, it can clean inside and out so much. I've heard you talk about that as well.
[00:16:47] Not only drinking a glass of water, but putting your hands into the water a little bit calmer. And like this, we have over a thousand exercises that are not necessarily complicated, that are super easy. And we divide it in three parts.
[00:17:05] What you could do before work, what you could do during work, and what you could do after work to codify your brain on the long term to actually find purpose on what you're doing, even though you wanted to be an artist. And right now you're cleaning bathrooms. There is purpose in all of that. And you can find happiness in all of that. Well, I love that.
[00:17:31] And those are, you know, those few that you've shared are such simple examples. And as you said, you know, some of them might not be appropriate to be doing at your desk. However, you know, you can go to the washroom and give yourself five minutes and just take some space for you in order to do a technique that maybe you don't feel comfortable doing right at your desk. And they are also simple. You could teach these to your kids, too, and have them learn these before going to school.
[00:17:59] And I also love how you've broken it out into things you can do before work, things you can do at work, things you can do after work. And you've simplified it and made it so accessible for people. And the piece that I want to share that my audience has heard me say many times is that it all has to start with ourself first. We have to recognize that if we keep going giving to everybody else all the time, that's when we get to this place of burnout.
[00:18:27] And we have to instead realize that we can't serve from an empty cup. So taking the time to do these little techniques before work, during work, after work is what fills your cup so that you can, you know, recode your brain. You can calm your nervous system. And it's so important. And I had to learn it myself.
[00:18:50] And that's when I created my mantra that said self-care is the most selfless act because it allows you to show up and give the world the best of you instead of what's left of you. And so that means at the end of the day, you can give your family what the best of you, despite what's happened during the workday. So I love all of this, Daniela.
[00:19:11] And I also want to talk about, because I know you've dug into the science of this, what is happening in our brain when we work too much? You know, sometimes we think more of a good thing is a good thing. And yet the reality is, is more of a good thing can be a bad thing. Yes, we need to work to create income for our family. Yes, that's stimulation to us. Yes, we're being of service in some way.
[00:19:37] However, too much of it can not be good. So I would love for you to share about that too. Thank you. And what you say, it reinforces what we do believe in. Self-care is one of the best things to care for others.
[00:19:54] Before I jump into answering the question, what you said triggered something super important that most people come to us for answers. When we ask people, and Melissa, we've interviewed millions of people over 20 years in 30 countries. And when we ask people, what is making you happiest the most?
[00:20:23] The answer is my loved ones, my family. There yet, with the stress, you can be making your family very sad. Duplicate the stress. Create extra problems in your family because of the stress that you're bringing home. Now, just imagine, mom is bringing stress. Dad is making stress. The kids are bringing stress. The grandpa is making stress.
[00:20:50] And it's all creating a lot of stress and sadness. So what happens to the brain when we are overstressed? There is this neurotransmitter. Some people say that it's a neurotransmitter. Some others say that it's a chemical component from the brain. It's called GABA. And that is supposed to give us a lot of energy, a lot of creativity.
[00:21:14] That also makes us generate more acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter of learning, of receptive dopamine, serotonin. When we work too much, instead of creating a muscle, like let's say more load can be accepted, you are over-saturating brain. So what you do is make the GABA say, whew, this is too much.
[00:21:43] I cannot produce this. You are making the other neurotransmitters say, whoa, it seems that we need to get in fire or fight mode because there's too much demand of function in our bodies and our system. So instead of being calm, being creative, we need to be super alert, just reacting for any nervous or any attack that can happen.
[00:22:09] That means that my best self is getting way behind. That means that I'm only surviving. And when I am surviving, the brain is not open to creativity, to conflict, resolving conflict in the best manner. It's only ready to defend from an attack. And it's not the best way to live because what happens then?
[00:22:33] The nervous system sends a message to the other systems, limbic system, to our health hormones. And we start getting sick and sick and sick. So the more we do, we need to be very careful because the more we do, the more damage we could be doing to the whole brain.
[00:22:52] That is why some organizations that are actually on top of it are asking, hey, should we be working eight hours or six hours are the best? Maybe six hours or four days a week are the best way to produce. And the results organizations are seeing with these new policies are fascinating.
[00:23:15] Workers actually do better at any kind of job if they work less with more consciousness. And that is so inspiring. Absolutely. And I've seen that research. And while it hasn't taken off across the globe, in some countries, people are still working 40 plus hour weeks.
[00:23:39] There's some organizations that are, you know, working a nine day fortnight or in I think it's Scandinavian countries where they have started doing more trials of working four days a week or shorter work days, longer vacation periods. And and seeing that productivity isn't affected. People are appreciating the time off.
[00:24:05] And so they focus more during their time at work to get the job done so that they can have that time off. Is that what you're seeing as well in that research? Yes, absolutely. And other components that to us are priceless, such as loyalty. Loyalty is a value that it's so hard to get from an employee.
[00:24:24] But the beauty of it is, and we've seen it in the research, is that when an employee understands that you're doing the extra mile to make them feel safe, they will retribute that with loyalty.
[00:24:39] And when an employee has loyalty towards an organization, a company, a project, you have their creativity, their hard work and all of their efficiency right there for you. And for us, Melissa, that has become a key to, quote unquote, lure and convenes leaders to be part of our workshops.
[00:25:04] Because when you talk to them about their responsibility, their karma, they don't care. But when you talk about productivity becoming double, triple over the time, if you invest in your workers, then they care. But over time, the leaders that end up participating on the programs, they also understand that there's a humanity in what we do, no matter what you do.
[00:25:32] There's this component of nature, of universal energy that makes us all responsible for each other. So there's such beautiful transformations that we see. And we start with simple things, letting our workers know that it's okay to raise their voice, to talk calmly, with love, with humanity and humbleness. I always tell them, see, English is not my first language. I have a strong accent.
[00:26:02] And it's so funny because people are not going to listen. But because it's hard to understand me, people are actually making an extra effort to understand. Therefore, the brain is working harder. Therefore, they become a little bit more receptive. So I let them know, especially with immigrants. We worked with so many immigrants. Talk. Talk to someone, to your friend, to someone that's receptive.
[00:26:29] Because that other person will have extra tips to make you feel stronger. Sharing what you're feeling is so, so important in this field. It is so important. And to be sharing and seeking solutions versus just sharing to keep repeating the same victim island story. Right? There's a difference there. And I'm sure your organization is very clear on that.
[00:26:57] That it's sharing in order to seek solutions, seek support. And that is so helpful because it lets people know I'm not alone. I'm not crazy. I have a right to be feeling the way that I'm feeling. And now what can I do about it? What you said is actually one of our mantras. When you take responsibility of your reality, the brain generates more creativity, more acetylcholine.
[00:27:26] And the amygdala, an amazing component of our brains, it actually makes you more resourceful. Because you stop being a victim and blaming everyone else. Therefore, you stop thinking that your reality needs to change for you to feel the change. And like you said, once you take responsibility, once you understand that there's no victims,
[00:27:52] but yourself trying to understand that the power is inside of you. Now, reality can be super hard, but your self-understanding of your reality and how you influence yourself to others is very contagious. Once you understand that there are little things that you can do to change your reality,
[00:28:15] to make yourself stronger, to find purpose, even in the less important jobs. We don't believe that there's anything like that. But some people think, oh, what I do, it's not so important. But once you understand how important it is, how empowered you become, then it is contagious. Then you can share your little tricks, the little exercise that we suggest for workers to do. And then the other person is empowered too. And three and four and four.
[00:28:45] And we talk about people being empowered. We don't mean, let's create a war. Let's create a revolution that hurts other people. It's more like, let's make this consciousness, this humanity so shareable that everyone will want to be part of our group. The group that shares, the group that understands that family is a priority, that understands that eating is healthy is key. Doing exercises is key.
[00:29:11] Even if you say, I don't have time for that, we'll show you that there is time for self-care. Beautiful. I love it. I just love your passion about this. It's just coming from such a beautiful heart-centered place where you care about every single person that you've worked with. And the people that you haven't yet worked with that are the perfect people to come into your programs because they are currently struggling and they need the support. They need the resources that you offer.
[00:29:37] And I love that, you know, you and the team has created this opportunity for everyone to be able to access happiness at work. Even if it's not provided per se through their organization or the organization is small and can't afford expensive programs, you are offering something for everyone.
[00:30:01] And I would just love for you to share, again, more where this has come from and the group that has founded this. Because I think whoever, you know, I love you, Daniela, and whoever you're partnering with as well. Just the vision that you all have is incredible.
[00:30:20] I think that once you understand the 90,000 hours that we spend at work, 90,000 hours, all of us understood that out of those 90,000 hours, we want to give. Give, as you've talked about so many times, it's one of the best ways of receiving.
[00:30:38] When we have this beautiful set of tools that are so, so powerful in our hands, it is irresponsible to charge from it if people cannot afford it. So, of course, for organizations that need a specific guidance, we are there. But there are so many other people that are desperate at work. The suicide rates on Sundays all around the world are increasing.
[00:31:07] The consumption of medication is increasing every second. And medication is okay when needed, but it shouldn't be created to proper or to silence our pain. Antidepressants, painkillers, those are okay when there's a short period of time on where our body needs the boost.
[00:31:31] But we are using it because we don't have enough tools to do the job, the one that matters. So, our professionals are Jay Martin, Scott Cooney, Ashley, all of them led by Professor Roger Epstein. He is the leader of the Maitreya Institute. The Maitreya Institute was created for the fundamental gift of forgiveness. And the idea of the power of forgiveness.
[00:32:01] And then he took interest. We create so many alliances, people that are willing to give us a little bit of extra time and help us in our research. With all of that research, we created three tools. One is Workaholics Anonymous. This is a free space where people can share. They helped me with the publication of a book that it's called If You Have a Job and You Were Not Happy Yet.
[00:32:30] This book and through you can be shared freely. It is on Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, wherever you can find it, you will find it. But you don't even need to pay for it. It's free. If the people go through your channel, they request it, we will give it to you. It's over 200 pages. And they are written in such an easy way that anyone can understand. And there are little tips that you can apply. For instance, you say, I don't have time for exercise.
[00:32:58] And exercise is extremely important for your nervous system to be okay. So, we help you find a plan where you can actually do exercise while at work. Instead of taking the stairs, you are going to take the elevator. Or the other way. Instead of taking the elevator, you take the stairs. Exactly. See, I get so excited.
[00:33:20] Instead of parking super close to your work, you're going to park a little bit far away and you're going to work more. Instead of taking the bus stop that leads you right to your work, you're going to come out, you know, two or three stops and you're going to work. There's no way for you to do the steps. And the third one is free workshops for organizations.
[00:33:45] If you really, really can't afford it, we'll be there for you and we'll guide you. And we'll connect you to other professionals in your state that are willing to do the job. So, there is no excuse. We want to be there and be at help. And what are we getting paid? Melissa, it's the same smile that I see on you. It's that feeling that your life matters because you are at service.
[00:34:11] And once that becomes contagious, the network keeps on growing and growing. And I just want to say the open heartness on how you received our request. We reach out to you to be able to advertise, promote our programs. And you were so open for no reason other than giving. And I think that's so inspiring. And I'm so grateful for that. Well, you are very welcome.
[00:34:38] You know, I get a lot of requests for people to be on my podcast. And I read each and every one of them. And where there is alignment with my message, with my work. I love having people on the show to come and share. Because as I said at the very beginning, the work that you do is helping people to be able to stay healthy. Not have to go down that path of chronic illness, of, you know, going to doctors and being prescribed medication and being told this is how it is.
[00:35:08] This is as good as it's going to be for the rest of your life. We know that when we lower the stress in our body and in our lives, when we release the toxins from our body, when we support the nutrient deficiencies, our body is absolutely capable of staying healthy. And stress is such a huge part of that. And that's the work that you're helping people cope with. Because when we're happy at work, when we're joyful at work, we want to be there.
[00:35:37] We are highly productive. And we don't have that stress that is then hampering our ability to stay healthy for the rest of our life. So I'm so excited that you came on the show and to share this and all of these tools that you are offering to people. And I want you to be able to share how people can get hold of you in a moment. And I know you have another free gift to offer, too.
[00:36:01] However, first, I always love to ask every guest that comes on the show, what does Don't Wait for Your Wake Up Call mean to you? We ask our members to visualize them when they are on their dead bed. What are they going to be feeling regarding work? There are so many little things that you can think of when you are on your dead bed. But about work, what are you going to be thinking? That can be a wake up call.
[00:36:29] And we work with many shelters back when I was super, super young with elder people. And we saw them on their dead beds. They regretted so many things, especially doing something that wasn't meaningful. So don't wait until you are on your dead bed to understand that those 90,000 hours can count.
[00:36:54] If you're driving a bus, if you're cleaning toilets, if you're doing farming work, all of them have so much meaning. I mean, the deal is to find purpose. Please don't wait until all those 90,000 hours are going to think, oh, I could have done it better. I could have done it with more purpose. See and seek assistance from people that are willing to give it open arms. There is a better world. And it's not like an advertising of Coca-Cola.
[00:37:24] There is a better world if you drink Coca-Cola. There is a better world if you connect with your humanity, with your family, with the people that you love. If you remember the games that made you happy when you were a child. There is so much love in the world. And it's right there if you stop for a little bit and listen to the people that have been studying so much. I want to share it with you. It's absolutely so true. Thank you for sharing all of that.
[00:37:52] And you create such beautiful visual images. And it is a bit shocking to stop and think about my deathbed. However, it is such a powerful exercise. So, Daniela, if people want to reach out to you, gain access to your resources, can you please just share how they can do that?
[00:38:13] And also, you have very generously offered a free gift to the audience of a complimentary neuroscience-based happiness at work workshop for their organization. Please talk about that as well. Thank you. If you Google us, it's called Happy Organizations. And then you get into a website. You see the professionals. We have a bunch of tools ready for you to read, to understand. And then you have our emails there.
[00:38:42] If you want to reach for a free consultation, we'll be there. Or we'll connect you to someone that is in your region to have a one-on-one meeting. For this community, we're so, so happy. And with so much humbleness, we want to give two gifts. The first one is free workshops for any organization that is part of your community. We'll lead them into a diagnosis.
[00:39:07] The diagnosis will let them see, hey, what are the levels of happiness and culture that we're implementing here? And what are the free and easy tools we can apply super fast to make this environment faster? And also for the people that reach out to you, they have free access to our book. It's, like I said, over 300 pages of exercise that are so simple and that have so much data, that is clean data.
[00:39:34] For us, clean data is data that hasn't been promoted by any pharmaceutical company or any goal behind it that has an economic matter. It's pure data from the brain and from researchers that we trust. That is all available for your audience. And we're so, so happy to be reached at any time. I believe and I want this not to be our only encounter.
[00:40:02] I was talking with my coworkers yesterday and I was saying we have to have Melissa in Hawaii. We are thinking of doing a retreat next year for the people that are helping the world to also pamper you guys. Because it's also good from time to time to pamper the ones who pamper. And I'm super, super excited about this new connection that is only going to make us stronger. Well, thank you so very much. And remind me again the name of the book so I can put that right into the show notes as well.
[00:40:31] Yes, for those who have a job and are not happy yet. Love it. For those who have a job and are not happy yet. Because I love it. Because happiness is possible. You just have to learn the tools from Daniela and your organization. Thank you so much. And thank you for your offer. And yes, I definitely want to stay in touch and would love to see you in Hawaii at some point. That sounds wonderful.
[00:41:01] And just as we wrap this episode, Daniela, are there any last words of wisdom that you would like to share with the audience here today? Don't forget the magic of touch. Touch can be one of our strengths when we are stressed. There is always someone that we can hug. Our loved ones, our animals. And if there's no one, we have ourselves to hug. For the brain, for the heart, and for the universal love.
[00:41:31] Touch is so important. There's so many others. But right now, I think I hug you deeply. Thank you. I was just going to say, I feel your hug, Daniela. We can hug through Zoom as well. So thank you. We do. So much. Thank you. Thank you. I really appreciate you reaching out, you coming on the show and sharing all of these resources with my audience. And appreciate your time in doing that. And we'll definitely be getting this out.
[00:41:58] There's so much value in people having just a few tools in their pocket to be able to use whenever they need to. Because let's face it, we all have stressful times in our day. We all have stressful days. And if we just have that opportunity to pull out a little tool and use it to bring the stress level down, calm the nervous system, breathe a little easier, we can get through the day in a much more positive way. And so thank you.
[00:42:26] And thank you to my audience for tuning in and listening each and every week, wanting to learn more about your health, how to support your physical body, your mental body, your emotional body, your spiritual body, so that you can show up each and every day as your best version of yourself. If this episode resonates with you and you know someone else that needs to hear it, please share it with them. Thank you for investing this time with me on the Don't Wait for Your Wake Up Call podcast. I'm so glad you joined in.
[00:42:55] If you can take two minutes to share this episode with someone you think can benefit and have a positive impact on their life, that would be wonderful. Please leave a review by going to your favorite podcast listening app and let me know what you enjoy or would like to hear more of. It will support me in my effort to bring the possibility of natural healing to a wider audience and help disrupt the sick care system we have today and make human health a global priority.
[00:43:24] Health is your true wealth.

