Reset Tricks: Work/ Life Balance
The key word here is balance. Traditionally, that idea meant calibrating the time spent at our jobs versus the hours devoted to family and leisure. Increasingly, it means not just when we work, but how and where we pursue gainful employment.
The key word is balance. We don’t’ face a binary choice between working at home and commuting to an office between Zoom shirts and business attire. The goal should be to maximize the virtues of both experiences and minimize the downsides.
- September 14 , 2021 article by Steve Roberts, the husband of the late (and great) Cokie Roberts
Play a Game Virtually.
Video games can help the brain in a number of ways, such as enhanced visual perception, improved ability to switch between tasks, and better information processing. Here’s a WIP doc of a few virtual game apps to check out and play with friends/ family/ co-workers.
Lift Weights.
Research shows that not only can weightlifting improve your body composition and give you a toned appearance, it can also improve your overall health and make you a happier person. Weightlifting can help you burn fat, reduce your risk of diabetes, prevent back pain and even help you fight depression. Women’s Health & Men’s Health exercises to get started with. For a laugh, check out these photos.
Meditate.
As written in this article by the Mayo Clinic, Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being.
Here’s a WIP doc of online resources to start your own meditation practice.
Mental Health.
There are a host of ways people manage their mental health, many of which are listed on this page in fact. How you manage your mental health is personal and private, and we hope that this page provides you with resources to create your own personal plan. However, sometimes it’s important to lean on others which is where therapy may play an essential role. Usually health plans cover some visits but if you’re not ready to see other humans in person, there’s always online therapy apps, many of which people have found serious benefit from. A few to explore are listed here.
find a new playlist or podcast.
Whether you stream music through Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music or Pandora there’s always new tunes to explore.
Here’s a rundown of The Best Podcasts of 2021 (so far) per the Vulture and The Best Podcasts of 2020 per The New York Times.
Sweat.
Some benefits of physical activity on happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.
Here’s a WIP doc of apps & subscription workouts you can do at home.
Experience a Sound Bath.
A sound bath is a meditative experience where those in attendance are “bathed” in sound waves. These waves are produced by various sources, including healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, percussion, chimes, rattles, tuning forks, and even the human voice itself.
Here’s a WIP doc of online resources to experience a sound bath of your own.
Eat Healthy Foods.
Eating right and getting good nutrition is essential for physical and mental health. Good food plays a vital role in restoring your health and improving your mood. Maintaining a healthy diet, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, and participating in outdoor activities in an oxygen-rich environment are all great ways to improve your overall wellbeing. - Achieve Medical
Personally, I’ve found that knowing what your body needs is the first step because as we all know, everyone’s body is different. Here are some resources to read about and use in order to build a healthy food regimen for yourself.
Netflix & Chill.
A cinefile? Me too. You likely have shows/ movies on rotation by if you’re looking for something new to feast your eyes on, here are a few “best of” lists to consider peeping out: Rotten Tomatoes, TV Guide, Paste and for the true crime lovers ScreenRat.
Be One with Nature.
Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
REI has an amazing list of some ideas to get you off your bottom and grounded with nature around you.
BREATHE.
Breathwork is the active form of consciously working your breath to bypass the mind and enter a different state of awareness. The practice gives the brain's executive functioning something to focus on, so you can bypass the mental level of consciousness and drop into a deeper state of consciousness.
Here’s a WIP doc of online resources with some breathwork practitioners & to check out.
Read a Book.
Take a break with a book. Dive into a story. Escape to another reality. Reading not only is a wonderful pastime that keeps the brain stimulated, improves brain connectivity and may play a role in slowing cognitive decline as you age. Some great reading lists can be found online like at The NY Post, The NY Times, Literary Hub, and of course OPRAHHHHHHH!!!! There’s been talk of AIR starting a Book Club. If you’re interested, email Ann to get a group started.