Theme: The Sweetness of Doing Nothing - Learning from the Italians

As a culture, we have subscribed to a fast, furious, and often stressful way of life. To quote Brené Brown: "It takes courage to say 'yes' to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol."

What does it take to get off the hamster wheel, unplug from external stressors (and the addictive world of social media), and "come home" to oneself? Simply being and living in the moment is a lost art, as is sitting in a circle and telling stories. Creating and fostering meaningful connections is needed in a world where texting has replaced real conversations, leaving many feeling isolated and disconnected. Self-care and kindness start with us.

Therefore, rest and getting off task is essential for recharging our precious batteries. What we can learn from the Italians is the "sweetness of doing nothing," an unfamiliar and foreign concept for most Americans. *We will touch on findings of relevant Blue Zones research re: downshifting and unplugging.

TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon - Virtual Event
1482 E Valley Road, Suite 466
Santa Barbara, California, 93108
United States

Petra Beumer

Founder of Mindful Eating Institute in Santa Barbara

Petra is a mindful living expert and founder of the Mindful Eating Institute in Santa Barbara. With a master's in clinical psychology from the University of Hamburg, she has two decades of experience promoting positive lifestyles. She's a pioneer in blending Eastern and Western therapeutic approaches, especially in the realm of emotional eating, weight management, and self-care. Petra has curated unique programs that champion holistic well-being, integrating principles of positive psychology and mindfulness. She held influential Work-Life Balance workshops at the California Health & Longevity Institute and served as a health educator in Santa Barbara. Petra is a keynote speaker for the American Heart Association on Stress and Eating and has presented at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. As a Self-Care Specialist, she worked with prestigious resorts like Golden Door and Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Her guiding principle is to love and honor yourself wholly and authentically.