Better well-being through doing nothing
Most of the time when we consider ways to help improve our health or well-being, we think about the things we have to take action on. In this episode we explore the benefits of simply taking a break. Resisting the pressure to always be “doing” something is often very difficult. We share ways to subtly give yourself a short break every now and then and explore the benefits of doing so.
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Here are some highlights from this episode:
- The definition of “burnout” and the research into the risk factors for burnout.
- The connection between loneliness, technology and burnout.
- March’s experiment with creating a time for stillness and the similarity he found with a meditation practice.
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Show Notes
- 1:40 — The inspiration for this episode.
- 4:38 — What “doing nothing” every once in a while is important.
- 7:42 — Darren ponders why we seem to be busier than ever even as we introduce new technology that is supposed to save us time
- 8:21 — March shares an interesting finding from a recent survey that showed that only 17% of Americans spent any time just being with their thoughts in the past month.
- 10:40 — The definition of “burnout” and the research into the risk factors for burnout.
- 13:37 — The connection between loneliness, technology and burnout.
- 15:01 — Ian shares his personal experience of studying stoicism as a remedy for personal burnout.
- 17:53 — The importance of recognizing the importance of stillness in life.
- 19:14 — March’s experiment with creating a time for stillness and the similarity he found with a meditation practice.
- 20:58 — Paying attention to the “default mode network” of the brain and the tendency toward negative thoughts.
- 22:51 — Darren shares how he has prioritized his “IRL” interactions and his yoga practice as ways of guarding against personal burnout.
- 25:35 — Tactics Ian and March use to create space in their lives for stillness.
- 29:54 — The benefit that being bored helps foster your creativity.
- 30:47 — March shares the findings from “the phone book study” about boredom and creativity.
- 34:59 — The benefits of quiet time and “boredom” on short-term memory and social interactions.
- 36:49 — Cognitive behavioral therapy.
- 38:28 — The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss
- 41:15 — Using the tactic of setting boundaries as a way to prevent personal burnout.
- 42:39 — Make Time by Jake Knapp
- 43:40 — The Bored & Brilliant Challenge from the Note to Self podcast.
- 46:40 — Taking a “stay-cation” to reduce stress and burnout.
- 48:52 — March, Ian and Darren share the things they are going to adopt from this episode.
Mentions
- 🎙️ Podcast: Bored and brilliant challenge from the Note to Self podcast
- 📰 Article: Why the Internet Has Made Us Lonelier Than Ever (Psychology Today)
- 🎵 Music: Kind of Blue album by Miles Davis
- 🎵 Music: Disintegration album by The Cure
- 📖 Book: Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday
- 📖 Book: The Obstacle is The Way
- 📖 Book: Ego is the Enemy
- 📖 Book: Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
- 📖 Book: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss
- 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 5: Meditation for focus & happiness
- 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 56: How Morning Routines Make the day
- 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 61: Better Health Through Yoga
- 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 20: Controlling Screen Time, So It Doesn’t Control You
Episode Transcript
Coming soon.
