“Interestingly, the very experience of fear itself is the tip-off moment, the signal that a possibility for action is opening up and so a choice needs to be made.”
– Robert Biswas-Diener in The Courage Quotient: How Science Can Make You Braver
Productivity Tip:
Treat Yourself To A Massage
Massages don’t just feel good – they are good. They can reduce post-workout soreness, boost serotonin, and send stress hormones plummeting. They can relieve anxiety, reduce inflammation, and help you sleep better.
Problem is, many of us think of massages as a luxury or self-indulgence. But even if you can’t afford an hour-long Swedish massage from a strong-handed stranger, doesn’t mean you can’t get the benefits.
Getting a little foot massage or shoulder rub from your partner totally counts. So does getting into all those tight spots with a foam roller or tennis ball.
In fact, there’s no shortage of resources online that can help you learn self-massage techniques. Why not give it a shot?
And if you do have the option to treat yourself to a professional full-body massage, go for it. Science agrees that it’s a legit form of self-care!
Wellness Tip:
Have More Bad Ideas
“This is the story of every good idea, every new project, every pop song, every novel,” says best-selling author and marketing guru Seth Godin. “There was a bad idea. And then there was a better one.”
Godin makes a case for embracing all your ideas – even the bad ones. “Don’t worry about changing the world,” he says. “First, focus on making something worth sharing.”
Godin has a point. It really can feel like all the good ideas are taken. We live in an age of unprecedented levels of competition. What he’s reminding us is that we don’t have to come up with something new – we can start by making small changes or improvements to existing ideas, and build from there.
So if you feel stuck, just remember that it’s better to do something than nothing at all. So don’t throw away your bad ideas – just use them as building blocks until you come up with something better.
Read more here and let us know what you think.
Routine Breakdown
Neil Blumenthal, Co-Founder & CEO of Warby Parker
“Since having kids, I no longer need an alarm clock,” says Neil Blumenthal. After being woken up by his kids at around 6-7am, he:
- Makes his kids breakfast, but fasts himself and only drinks water.
- Does the New York Times’ 7-minute workout in whatever he wore to bed.
- Walks to work when he can. “I find the days I’m able to walk to work, I’m a clearer thinker. I’m more decisive. My days are just better.”
Why it works:
- Spending time with his kids at breakfast builds ever-important family bonds. Meanwhile, intermittent fasting has a slew of research-backed benefits.
- Doing his workout without changing clothes removes barriers and makes it a no-brainer – and research shows the 7-minute workout has measurable benefits.
- Walking is a proven way to give your brain a boost.
The 7-minute workout totally became a craze when it was released in 2014. And you know what? It still holds up today.
The concept is simple: hit every muscle group (plus cardio) in a short space of time. Want to give it a shot? Here’s a great guide to designing your own simple workout by adapting the exercises to fit your capabilities. There’s also an official app that’s free for both iOS and Android.
Got seven minutes? Why not give it a try!
