Wellness Tip:

Don’t Skip The Discovery Processes

What happens when we outsource the discovery process? AI might make it easier to get an answer, but we lose the joy and learning opportunity of discovering it for ourselves.

“Research shows that ‘aha moments’ are associated with activity in the brain’s reward circuitry,” says Anne-Laure Le Cunff at Ness Labs. “Having the opportunity to wrestle with a problem before being taught how to solve it also helps develop a deeper understanding so we’re better able to apply it to new situations. Lastly, curiosity helps us remember not just the answers we sought, but unrelated information encountered along the way.” 

The journey towards an answer, she says, can teach us things we weren’t even looking for — and help us find meaning in our work. And meaning is linked to better health and a longer life. 

While it may be tempting to use AI to jump straight to an answer — whether that’s solving a math problem or brainstorming ideas or writing the ending of a story — going through the discovery process ourselves is usually worth the struggle. For it’s in that process that we find purpose, pride, and satisfaction.

Routine Breakdown

Renee Firth, Founder of ASD Mum Club

One Small Action a Day: A Founder’s Mental Health Routine

“I am a founder and a mother of an autistic child,” says Renee Firth. “My children wake at 5am most days, so my quiet time does not happen before they wake. It happens after school and daycare drop-off.” Renee drives straight to her office and follows a short routine that sets her up to lead well.

The Routine:

• Tea and strategic journaling. “When I get to my office, I make a hot cup of tea and open my journal. I connect with my accountability partners and work through structured prompts that keep me aligned. If I do not lead my mind first, the day will lead me.”
• Sunlight reset. “Before deep work, I step outside for a few minutes and let the sun hit my face. Sunlight is my simplest performance tool. It shifts my mood and lifts my energy in a natural way.”
• Nervous system regulation. “I sit still and take slow, steady breaths. As a mother of an autistic child, unpredictability is normal. Regulating my body first helps me respond instead of react.”
• One high-impact mental health action. “I choose one small action that protects my mental health that day. Not a long list, just one clear decision.”

Why it works:

• Journaling has a bunch of benefits, from potentially reducing anxiety to even helping you sleep better.  
• Morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms. ☀️Research shows it may even have physical benefits like lowering blood pressure at night, leading to lower cardiovascular risk. 
• Breathing techniques like these help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming our bodies and making us feel more relaxed. 🧘
• By making a mental health action part of her daily routine, Renee keeps it a priority. Choosing something small keeps it manageable. 

“My routine is not glamorous. It is disciplined in simple ways,” says Renee. “I run a membership that supports mothers of autistic children, and I speak about mental health. But the real work starts here, in quiet moments of self-leadership. I do not wait until I am overwhelmed. I build strength before I need it. That is how I lead in my business and stay grounded at home.”