“In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.”
– Laurence Sterne, 18th-century novelist and cleric
Wellness Tip:
Make Time To Be Alone
Ah, time alone. Do you fear it? Or cherish it?
Truth is, being alone is important for mental health. Facing our thoughts helps us grow and develop; being away from others lets us recharge our social batteries.
If you can’t focus, you’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, or you’re easily irritated, it may be a sign you need some alone time.
What to do while alone? Try something restorative like going for a walk outside or expressing yourself creatively. Oh—and turn off social media. It may temporarily boost your mood but research suggests it’s not great long term.
Ready for some beautiful solitude? (Side note: there’s a major difference between aloneness and loneliness: if you’re feeling lonely, do reach out for help.)
Productivity Tip:
Use The 2-Minute Rule
“When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do,” says James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. He calls this the 2-minute rule.
“The idea is to make your habits as easy as possible to start. Anyone can meditate for one minute, read one page, or put one item of clothing away.” Says Clear, this is a powerful strategy because once you’ve started doing the right thing, it’s much easier to keep doing it. Start small to establish the habit, then build upon it.
What can you do today for two minutes that can become the beginning of a larger routine?
Routine Breakdown
Meera Watts, Founder & CEO of Siddhi Yoga
“For many years, I’ve had a routine of doing three things that have helped me grow and achieve success,” says founder of Siddhi Yoga, Meera Watts, who has worked with students in 60+ countries. Her three things are:
- Planning, to stay on top of responsibilities. “I use a planner to record all of the tasks I need to complete during the day. Doing this on a regular basis has allowed me to better understand the areas where I excel and where I need to improve.”
- Yoga, to stay fit and energized. “Yoga is one of the most effective methods for both relaxing and moving your body.”
- Meditation, to achieve inner calm. “I try to do at least 10 minutes of meditation and breathing exercises every day, which helps me relax and focus.”
Why it works:
- Experts say that daily planners (like Panda Planner) improve time management, boost productivity, lower stress, and boost mental health.
- Yoga has benefits that extend beyond the mat—like improved body image, more mindful eating, and improved cardiovascular health.
- Meditation is all the good things. Not convinced? Here are 100 benefits.
Interested in giving yoga a shot? Meera’s advice to beginners is to try out several different styles of yoga to better learn what suits you. Let us know how you find it!
