Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Liz Moody’s ‘100 Ways To Change Your Life’ is the handbook to health and happiness

Courtesy%3A+Lindy+Lin+Photography
Clara Faulkner
Courtesy: Lindy Lin Photography

Change remains an unwavering companion on our life’s journey. The pursuit of self-improvement and to attain better health, happiness, and fulfillment is a shared aspiration among us all. One notable figure making strides in this field is Liz Moody, celebrated for her best-selling books and highly acclaimed podcast “The Liz Moody Podcast.”

Moody is a well-established name within the wellness and lifestyle industry. Her work has cultivated a dedicated following that seeks inspiration for healthy living. Notably, one of her previous books “Healthier Together” achieved bestseller status, demonstrating her knack for resonating with audiences.

Moody stopped at Boston’s Trident Booksellers to support her latest release, “100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success.” 

The book comprises a diverse compilation of practical tips, heartfelt personal anecdotes, and expert guidance, presenting readers with a holistic guide for personal transformation.

In an interview with Moody, the query regarding my favorite tip from her freshly published book led me to contemplate a rather intriguing analogy: it felt akin to asking a parent to pick a favorite child among their offspring. With its overarching wellness theme, the book stands as a guiding figure, embodying a path toward self-improvement and personal growth. I aspire to apply these insightful tips as building blocks, each contributing to attaining this overarching goal of well-being.

“I believe that wellness is all connected, which is something that many experts in this space often miss,” Moody said in an interview with the Beacon. “They say you’ll be fixed if you take care of your gut health, If you take care of your brain health If you take care of your relationships. No, it’s the cumulative effect of all of these things.”

Moody describes the book’s impact as one that resonates deeply with readers, making it a cherished literary companion for a lifetime, which she fondly refers to as a “forever book.”

“I wanted it to be something you could have forever, that you could reference as you need,” Moody said. “Maybe in one moment you’re feeling lonely—I think that the section on friendships will speak to you in that moment. Another moment you’re having some gut problems—I think the section on how to make your gut feel great will speak to you. Another moment you feel low energy—we have a section for that.”

What sets “100 Ways to Change Your Life” apart from other self-help entries is Moody’s use of her scientific research and personal encounters to draw comparisons, paving the way for a healthier lifestyle, which she defines as her exploration into the book’s underlying inspiration. 

“I suffered from extreme anxiety. I was agoraphobic; I couldn’t leave my bed without having panic attacks.” Moody said. “While lying in bed, I started, for lack of anything else to do at the time, emailing people I had no right to email—people like the head of neuroscience at Stanford, registered dietitians, hormone doctors, and brain doctors. I was like, what is happening in your body when you have anxiety? What are some ways that we can begin to address anxiety in our bodies?”

A journalist for over a decade, Moody has a knack for dissecting and connecting information to her experiences.

“I was just utilizing the only skill set I felt I had, which was asking questions,” Moody said. “With that information, I started to piece together a plan that got me from having panic attacks whenever I left the house to doing book tours and flying to a new city every day. I was mind-blown that these tools existed in the world for something like anxiety, and I wanted to see what other tools existed to help people overcome their problems.” 

Every advice mentioned in the book is a jewel, providing an individualized viewpoint on personal growth. This book serves as a compendium, delivering readers with practical methods tailored to facets of their lives—whether that’s adopting healthier dietary practices, nurturing self-compassion, or mastering stress management.

“100 Ways To Change Your Life” is an extensive guide for individuals on their quest for self-enhancement. Moody’s literary prowess transcends generational boundaries. Whether you’re a young adult seeking direction in life, a parent looking for ways to instill positive change in your family, or even someone in their golden years aspiring to make the most out of life’s later stages, this book offers a wealth of insights.

As I immersed myself in the pages of Moody’s book, I found a striking resonance between the wisdom within Moody’s lines and my journey as a woman in my 20s. Her insights spoke directly to the unique challenges I was encountering and offered a treasure trove of guidance on navigating this transformative period of life. Moody’s words transcended mere advice; they became a compass guiding me toward greater happiness and overall well-being.

One concept stood out—the idea of forming an advice club. This notion struck me as an indispensable tool for every young adult embarking on their journey through their 20s. Like a well-worn map through uncharted territory, Moody’s advice club concept offered a clear path to survive and thrive during this crucial phase of life.

“It’s constructive to have some back pocket questions before you go into an event. It just breaks people out of that route, making you more memorable,” she said. “If you want to take it further, I have conversation starter cards. I love them. There are also some more conversation starters in the book.”

As we wholeheartedly embrace the quest for self-enhancement, “100 Ways to Change Your Life” emerges as our steadfast ally, shedding light on the route to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. When asked about the key takeaway for readers, Moody’s singular aspiration is tangible evolution.

“When you read [most self-help books], they’re like, ‘You can do it, girl, we believe in you.’ And then you close the book, and you’re like, ‘What do I do now?'” Moody said. “This book is not that; this book is a personal growth book for people who don’t want platitudes. I’m not going to say, ‘love yourself.’ I’m going to say, here’s the science behind self-love, and here’s exactly how you can implement it.”

 

 

 

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About the Contributor
Clara Faulkner
Clara Faulkner, Managing Editor and Living Arts Editor
Clara Faulkner wears multiple hats at the Beacon, serving as both the Business Director and the Living Arts Editor. Prior to assuming these roles, she demonstrated her expertise as an assistant editor, specializing in living arts—a domain she is deeply passionate about, fueled by her love for pop culture and entertainment. Additionally, Clara served as a writer for the Boston Globe, Boston.com, is a part of NBCUniversal Entertainment Group, and contributed to the music team at Intersect Magazine. In addition to her editorial responsibilities, Clara actively participates in various campus organizations, including SPJ, Associate Entertainment Producer at WEBN-TV, programming director at WECB. fm, and AEPHI. Outside of her writing pursuits, Clara immerses herself in culinary exploration, cinematic enjoyment, and language acquisition, consistently seeking fresh experiences and knowledge.

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