Checklist
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As we emerge from the most challenging two years that we've faced, collectively, I believe it's important to incorporate some daily practices that improve well-being. Here they are.
Get outside
I've said this before: the benefits of being out in God's creation are real. Here’s a blog post I wrote on this a while back.
You don't need to make it a big production. I try to take a few minutes every hour or two to go stand outside. If it's a sunny day, I'll point my face toward the sun (like a sunflower) and just soak it up. I'll also take in several deep breaths. This resets my body, mind and soul.
Have a shutdown ritual
I've gotten much better at cutting off my work day so that I can disconnect from the constant stream of information. Unless something truly urgent comes up, when I walk away from my computer at the end of the day, I don't go back. I also avoid looking at my email on my phone.
The main goal for me is to have a few hours each day, including dinner with family, where I'm unplugged. It doesn't always work that way but I'm getting better at it.
Give thanks
The research is clear that gratitude improves well-being. Improved happiness, health, resilience and relationships are just a few of the many benefits. A simple practice is to take a few minutes each day to write down three things for which you are grateful.
Paraphrasing an article I read recently (sorry I can't remember where or I'd cite it), if somebody said take this pill every day and it will improve your well-being, you'd probably do it. Practicing gratitude is like that but better.
What I like about these three practices is they aren't disruptive and can easily become habits. Give them a try and let me know how they work for you.
Recommendations
Meditating Probably Won’t Make You a Better Person by Adam Grant. Speaking of research, this brief article shows that despite having many benefits, not all of the claims made about meditation hold up. This is just another example that life is much more grey than black and white.
How to rest well by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. This must read makes the case that rest used to be prized (think sabbath) but now busyness is the badge of honor. It takes you through what rest is, its importance and how to incorporate it into your life. If you're to busy (lol), scroll down to the summary.
Podcast
Episode 195 of The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast, Leadership through Self-Differentiation – Triangles, is now available.