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Supporters are part of a self-improvement sub-group where value is dispensed daily on personal growth in all aspects of life, informed by many sources. New members welcome!
While we were playing music last night, I was reminded of how it feels to be part of something larger. So many self-improvement conversations focus on just one person.
You.
And it's certainly important to put energy and intention into maintaining and improving one's self.
But being part of something bigger is also an important part of being a healthy and well-balanced human.
Traditionally, most Americans were part of some sort of congregation. Church, civic clubs, ball teams, and musical groups all are examples of how people traditionally have in a larger group toward a common purpose.
That is something that many people have lost in this modern era.
Church has lost its central role in community.
Video games have replaced ballgames for kids.
And most folks couldn't even tell you what a civic organization is, much less claim membership.
And music? It's become a cheap commodity that is so prevalent and commonplace in our daily lives that most folks put no thought into what it took to create it.
I've been a member in a rock band since 2009. In residency, it helped me stay a little less insane. After residency, we have tried to play most years in a doctor band competition.
By the time we get around to practicing for the next year, we've usually gone 8 months without playing together.
And every time we play together, it's the same feeling: Why can't we do this more often?
Because the creating of music by contributing our individual parts is one of those "larger purpose" things, where the product is greater than the sum of the parts.
It's not all fun. It's actually a lot of work and stress.
And usually, I'm not ready to claim that I know the music until the week before the show.
But then, every year, in the middle of one of the songs, I realize that it's clicked. I'm in the groove. And the music is using me to be heard.
Yesterday, playing with my bandmates, a couple of guys I appreciate and value in my life, it felt like the end of a drought. We hadn't played together in 17 months, and it was high time to break that drought.
What do you do that is larger than yourself?
If you can't think of anything, that's probably something that you can change and get immediate and long-term benefit from.
Working on charitable projects is one example of how you can engage with others toward making the world better.
Hiking clubs, birdwatching clubs, and other outdoor clubs bring people together while being in nature, which is by its very nature therapeutic.
Regardless of what you do, stay engaged with others to make big things happen.
One degree!
I'm on a weekend night call schedule this weekend, which always leaves me feeling under-rested and generally icky.
But I wanted to remind you that outdoor exercise without screens is really good for your mental health.
Go outdoors, preferably into the woods.
Get in tune with those surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the smells, even the movement of air and the varying temperatures as you walk.
We were made to be outdoors.
We were definitely not made to work in cubicles.
One Degree!
What you want from your body will dictate what you need to set as goals, and the goals will determine what you'll end up having to change to attain them.
I've spoken many times about systems being better than goals, and my position has not changed.
But goals are easier to discuss and to understand, so for this week, we'll be very specific about goals.
Do you want more muscle mass?
Do you want to be stronger?
Do you want to run faster?
Do you want to gain weight?
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to improve general fitness?
Do you want longevity?
Do you want strong bones?
Do you want to earn a Black Belt?
Understanding the benefits and costs of each particular goal may help you decide what you want.
For example, if you want to compete in body-building competitions, you'll not be doing the same thing as if you were focused on longevity. Same with strength competitions.
But general fitness and longevity go fairly well together.
Running is great but will increase the likelihood of needing knee or hip ...
I'll make this one short and to the point.
Spring time change is hard on all of us. Having to get up an hour early doesn't make going to bed an hour earlier much easier.
Yes, it's nice to have more productive time in the evening.
But it's at the cost of forcing us out of be an hour earlier, as we all know.
Our challenge is to adjust our circadian rhythm to match the world's expectations around us.
My main strategy is supplementing with a dose of melatonin about a half hour before I need to be asleep. It helps most people fall asleep more readily.
If you need a nap during your day, take it between mid-morning and early afternoon. Limit it to 20 minutes.
Taking a longer or later nap may make it even harder to get off to sleep in time.
All of the other normal advice applies even moreso:
- Take a 20-minute walk after supper.
- No screen time for the last hour before bed.
- Listen to calm music after supper.
- Don't eat for 2 hours before bed.
- Don't have conflict-laden conversations ...
