Relaxing with Rob

Although you may not claim full authorship credit for your life, you can freely edit any time. Here's what might help from Donald Miller's book, A million miles in a thousand years: What I learned while editing my life. And if you'd like more, this is a non-affiliate link to his book list.

Joy can be sustained in average lives more readily than in exceptional ones. Why not experiment for just a day, and then see how you feel?

Here's the link to Michael Neill's article on which this episode is based:
https://www.michaelneill.org/mnct829.shtml

During a pandemic, calm rational action is far more effective than fear-based behavior. This Centers for Disease Control site is an excellent source of guidance. 

Since change is the only constant in life, here are some ways to manage it gracefully.

1. Acknowledge its reality.
2. Stay present and mindful.
3. Learn from past changes.
4. Control your reactions.
5. Focus on what comes next.

Our genetic structure is fixed, but we can influence how genes express themselves, and thus improve our health.

To slow (and in some cases reverse) cellular aging:

1. Eat healthfully.
2. Exercise regularly.
3. If you drink, do so in moderation.
4. Quit tobacco products.
5. Reduce stress.

Here’s the independent nutrition site I mention:  https://nutritionfacts.org

This video summarizes research on the power of a plant-based diet (specifically in reducing saturated fat intake) to slow cellular aging.

This video on stress management research highlights well-designed studies, including one showing that just 12 minutes of daily meditation for eight weeks can lengthen your telomeres—helping reverse cellular aging.  

Overthinking (especially about the future) is rarely worth its price. Although learning from the past and planning for the future are essential, the real action is in the present.

Learn evidence-based ways to feel happier and more engaged. Although what you do for a living matters, how you do it is even more important.

If you would like to learn more, here are some resources:

https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-flow/

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. New York: Harper Perennial.

https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/1999-11644-003

Try this guided imagery exercise to help prepare for an important event (e.g., interview, exam, or presentation). For an excellent resource on guided imagery, I recommend this book by Martin Rossman, M.D.

Since expecting perfection leads to disappointment, why not use your imperfections to connect better with people? This reduces anxiety and builds interpersonal bridges.

Being yourself is not easy, but it’s worth the risk. The song, “This Is Me,” by Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble, might inspire your effort.