Bill, isn’t this newsletter about tech? Sure, but what good is obsessing about tech, systems and apps if all it does is stress you out?
It is a lot of work to keep up with a 9-5 job, family life and build something like a YouTube channel and Newsletter on the side.
This week I listened to Jay Shetty, whom I found via the Calm app. I’ve been enjoying his podcast. The one that made it into my queue was titled “7 Micro Habits That Will INSTANTLY Reset Your Mind & Boost Energy”
I picked out 3 that I actually use.
Breathwork
If you’d have asked me 10 years ago about this I would have called it woo-woo nonsense. After dedicating time to meditation and things like box breathing or even Andrew Huberman’s suggestion of 5min/day of physiological sighing (double max inhale via the nose, then exhale to lungs empty via mouth; repeat).
When you’re sad, what changes? Your breath. When you’re stressed, what changes?
Noticing this recently has been able to help me calm my anxiety and stress, even just a little bit. Which makes it well worth it.
Jay suggests taking three deep, deliberate breaths, in for four, out for six, as a way to reset your nervous system.
Trust me. Just try it.
Morning Sunlight
This one is pretty well documented now thanks to people like Andrew Huberman. I’m lucky enough to have a dog to take out in the morning. During long stretches of winter though where it might be dark when I wake up and dark when I get home from work, I notice the severe impacts on my circadian rhythm and mood.
I’m very guilty of waking up and scrolling in bed. Get outside first thing in the morning. Advice from me to me, and also to you.
One sentence Journaling
I’ve tried to make a religious journaling habit. I stick with it for months at a time, but eventually fall off the wagon for long stretches.
I have noticed over the years though that getting my thoughts out onto the page makes them far less scary. Whatever I am stressing about or overthinking, once it is on the page I can think more clearly.
Jay suggests using the prompt “Today I noticed...”
I will have to try this because it forces you to think about your day in a way that you were present. Your day didn’t just happen to you, you were a part of it, taking notice of things that made you happy, sad, angry or nervous.
The practice of looking up instead of scrolling down
I’ve caught a few episodes of this podcast recently and it is one that I will add to my list for the future.
Do you have habits or techniques that help you to manage the stress of the day?