
Practical Optimism
The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being
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Narrated by:
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Sue Varma M.D.
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By:
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Sue Varma MD
About this listen
A practical program rooted in optimism to help you live fully and joyfully in an imperfect, turbulent world
As the first medical director and attending psychiatrist at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program, Dr. Sue Varma worked directly with civilian and first-responder survivors in the aftermath of 9/11. There, she met people at every point of the stress and trauma continuum. She saw devastation and stagnancy as much as she saw amazing resilience and growth. She asked herself: how do some people survive, even thrive, despite profound challenges? And how can we optimize the things we have control over, while buffering ourselves from stress?
Through her work with patients and combining philosophy, her own personal experience, and a review of the latest research in psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and neuroscience, Dr. Varma discovered that the answer lies in cultivating an optimistic mindset that stays tethered to the real world and helps us make sound and reasonable decisions. This epiphany inspired Practical Optimism, Dr. Varma’s powerful program with eight pillars to help all of us experience a sense of meaning, mastery, and self-acceptance and create lives filled with joy and purpose. Optimists, research has shown, are not just happier and more successful, but physically healthier. And if you’re a natural-born pessimist? No problem: the most vital piece of the Practical Optimism program is that it is a practice, a skillset that we can choose to adopt and get better at every day.
This book isn’t about magical thinking. Practical optimists are resourceful, realistic, and thoughtful problem solvers who possess something of rare value: the inner resources to cope during a crisis and to use as fuel to flourish. Complete with self-assessment quizzes and exercises, Practical Optimism will help us all see the world for the better and reach our true potential. Practical Optimism is a scientific and tangible pathway to boosting health, happiness, resilience, success, and longevity.
©2024 Sue Varma (P)2024 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read Book for February 2024
"In Practical Optimism Dr. Varma distills an expansive body of research into clear, relatable, and actionable guidance. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to move from surviving to thriving."—Lisa Damour, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
“Essential reading, and full of tools to help us move through challenges and embrace the possibility around us. Dr. Sue Varma shows us that practical optimism is a muscle we can build and continue to strengthen—and it can absolutely transform our lives.”—Judson Brewer, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety
"Practical Optimism beautifully weaves science and art, research and storytelling, theory and practice. Sue Varma provides us with a compass that can help us navigate our complex and demanding reality."—Tal Ben Shahar, New York Times bestselling author of Happier
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Story
We all know what it’s like to experience the disappointments and sorrows of life. Unexpected circumstances like layoffs, divorce, illness, and death can leave us hurting and isolated. Add to that the unending anxiety we feel at the state of the world—political strife and global upheavals—and we end up with a recipe for . . . joy? Yes, says journalist Steven Petrow, who has lived through all of those things, and arrived at a surprising conclusion: Joy is always present—in our everyday routines, in ties to those we care about, even in our grief.
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Needed this positivity
- By Kelli Davis on 04-08-25
By: Steven Petrow
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The 5 Resets
- Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience
- By: Aditi Nerurkar
- Narrated by: Aditi Nerurkar
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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From Harvard stress expert, nationally sought after speaker, and television correspondent Dr. Aditi Nerurkar comes a reimagined approach to overcoming your stress and burnout using five small but mighty mindset shifts.
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Articulated well.
- By Sha on 10-27-24
By: Aditi Nerurkar
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Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People
- Avoid Emotional Traps, Stand Up for Your Self, and Transform Your Relationships as an Adult Child of Emotionally Immature Parents
- By: Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD
- Narrated by: Rachel Perry
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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If you grew up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent, you may recall your childhood as a time when your emotional needs were not met or dismissed—and you may have lingering feelings of anger, loneliness, betrayal, and abandonment. As an adult, you have fought hard to establish your own sense of self, and heal the wounds caused by your upbringing. But what about other emotionally immature people (EIP) in your life? As an adult child of an emotionally immature parent (ACEIP), you may be particularly vulnerable to EIPs.
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Perhaps the most impactful book of my life
- By MER on 11-16-23
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Matters of the Heart
- Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love
- By: Thema Bryant PhD
- Narrated by: Thema Bryant PhD
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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As a psychologist and minister with more than twenty years of experience, Dr. Thema understands how challenging it can be to create and cultivate healthy relationships—and how critical it is for our well-being. Matters of the Heart draws on the wisdom of science, sacredness, and lived experience to help listeners tend to the garden of their hearts and build their best relational lives.
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The Words Needed To Hear
- By Anonymous User on 06-11-25
By: Thema Bryant PhD
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Life Is a Lazy Susan of Sh*t Sandwiches
- By: Jennifer Welch, Angie Sullivan
- Narrated by: Jennifer Welch, Angie Sullivan
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Long before their blockbuster podcast, I’ve Had It, Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan were simply two best friends, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. Together they’ve celebrated family milestones and cheered on professional successes, but they’ve weathered the storms together too. When Jennifer’s husband battled alcoholism and drug addiction, she turned to Angie for support. When Angie’s own marriage began to crumble, she turned to Jennifer. And crucially, through it all they’ve kept one another laughing in stitches.
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This book is triple decker shit sandwich
- By Twishkas on 06-08-25
By: Jennifer Welch, and others
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Real Self-Care
- A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included)
- By: Pooja Lakshmin MD
- Narrated by: Pooja Lakshmin MD
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Real self-care is an internal, self-reflective process that involves making difficult decisions in line with our values, and when we practice it, we shift our relationships, our workplaces, and even our broken systems. Using case studies from her practice, clinical research, and the down-to-earth style that she's become known for, Pooja Lakshmin provides a step-by-step program for real and sustainable change. Real Self-Care is a complete roadmap for women to set boundaries, move past guilt, treat themselves with compassion, get closer to themselves, and assert their power.
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Important topic but flawed insofar as it claims to want to reach a general audience
- By A.P. on 11-06-23
I believe it is empowering guide for building a fulfilling life, Practical Optimism is a must-read for anyone seeking balance, positivity, and purpose in our day to day lives   .
The tools given!
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We all could use some Practical Optimism
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Practical Optimism
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reading this book twice. I had a couple of personal issues to deal with, but mostly I exhibit healthy habits. My healthy habits were affirmed by this book.
A Very Helpful Book
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Practical and empowering
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Absolutely Fabulous!
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super complete
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Compelling Principles
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