3 things for a healthier life
I came across this list of 35 research-backed ways to live healthier (h/t Recomendo and here are 3 that I want to try for myself:
My second-grade teacher, Ms. Edson, told us: If something feels too hard to do, it just means that the first step isn’t small enough. So often when we’re struggling, we tell ourselves that it’s a sign that we’re broken or that something is our fault, and then we freeze. But when something is too hard in the moment, tell yourself Ms. Edson’s advice. - Becky Kennedy Clinical psychologist
There’s lots of work on what’s called time affluence, the subjective sense that you have some free time. The simple act of giving myself a break — two to five minutes to catch my breath between tasks — makes me feel less time-famished. Studies would suggest that just changing that sense of time famine can have a disproportionate impact on well-being. - Laurie Santos, cognitive scientist and happiness expert
When I need to clear my mind, I turn to what psychologists call “soft fascination” by engaging in simple activities — like washing dishes, folding laundry or gardening — that require little mental effort, giving the mind freedom to wander, make connections and find solutions. When I feel like I have too many mental tabs open, I’ll drive in silence or take a walk without my phone. Before long, answers to questions that have been weighing on me spontaneously come to mind. - Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist