Meena Julapalli, MD Speaking Topics

• Cultivating Joy in Life and Work

  In 2019, the World Health Organization formally added burnout to the International Classification of Diseases and identified it as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It negatively affects our attitudes toward work, lowers the quality of our relationships, and affects every aspect of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We feel disconnected from the meaning, purpose, and joy in what we do and what we value in our lives and careers.

  This talk is all about how we can rediscover that joy and foster and cultivate that connection with ourselves, our colleagues, and the people we serve as we navigate the challenges we face. Dr. Meena Julapalli’s interactive presentation is filled with heart-warming humor, practical lessons, new skill sets, eye-opening information, and of course, JOY!

  Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will define what joy means to them and identify obstacles to our experience of joy
  • Participants will understand the science of joy and how cultivating joy can improve quality of life and impact our approach to work and interaction with colleagues
  • Participants will apply simple daily practices to create more joy in their lives and in the workplace for optimal well-being

• Managing Burnout: Tools for Resilience and Self-Care

  This session addresses the growing challenge of professional burnout and provides tools to build resilience and foster self-care. Participants will explore the signs and causes of burnout, as well as strategies for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The session will include evidence-based practices such as mindfulness, time management, and stress reduction techniques to help sustain their passion for the work they do while prioritizing their own health.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the key signs and underlying causes of professional burnout.
  • Analyze the impact of burnout on professional and personal well-being.
  • Apply evidence-based strategies, such as mindfulness and stress reduction, to build resilience and prevent burnout.
  • Develop personalized self-care plans to support long-term professional fulfillment and mental health.

• The Power of Creating Your Own Story

  This transformative experience invites you to explore the power of writing as a tool for personal healing and growth. Participants will engage in reflective writing exercises designed to unlock inner wisdom, release emotional blockages, and foster a deeper connection with themselves and others. Whether you're seeking to heal past wounds, navigate life transitions, or simply embark on a journey of self-discovery, this workshop offers a supportive and nurturing environment to cultivate inner peace and conscious transformation on your path to joy. Come with an open heart and leave with renewed clarity and a sense of empowerment.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how writing helps process and release heavy emotions, foster connection, find forgiveness, and cope with loss
  • Understand the scientific basis of writing as a therapeutic tool, including its effects on stress reduction and emotional clarity
  • Develop a writing ritual that supports ongoing emotional healing and personal growth
  • Implement self-care practices to use the power of words to shift your perspective and create your own story

• Day Shift: Be the Light

  This workshop will introduce simple ways we can shift and elevate the energy of our day so that we may shine our light upon ourselves and others whenever we need, no matter the challenges we face. It is an interactive session that includes evidence-based mindfulness practices focused on gratitude, affirmations, kindness, play, and reflection that can be incorporated and integrated into our daily routines. The exercises in this workshop are simple, safe, and nonjudgmental ways to explore our needs and values, to share them, and also create space for others to be seen, heard, valued, and understood. By the end of the session, participants will be more connected to themselves and the world around them, while also learning how to continue the practice and being inspired to spread the joy.

• Laughter is the Best Medicine: Using Laughter Yoga For Fun, Engagement, and Connection

  Laughter yoga taps into the simple truth that what triggers laughter the most is other laughter. Laughter feels good, is good for you, and connects people instantly. Laughter can be spontaneous or intentional, and the best part? Your brain cannot tell the difference between real and fake laughter -- it releases the same endorphins either way, and because laughter is contagious, fake laughter becomes real within two minutes! Laughter improves our mood, activates our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and restore state), and completes the stress cycle. Laughter also increases oxygen uptake, increases blood flow, and enhances immune function. Laughter truly is some of the best medicine!

  During this session, participants will explore:

  • What is Laughter Yoga?
  • What are the benefits of laughter?
  • How does laughter create connection?

  We will then engage in a series of experiential and playful exercises that build upon each other. Creating safety and active engagement, many of the exercises of laughter yoga are simple, fun, and filled with joyful play. Add in a few simple theatrical elements, and you have a wonderful selection of fun activities that help you and your team breathe, connect, and have fun. It is impossible to leave this session without a smile on your face and joy in your heart for yourself and those around you!

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