The Daily RICHual

Easter weekend is here and the way I see it, it could not possibly be more relevant to our world today. You see, Easter weekend is about two things: sacrifice and hope.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Sacrifice and hope.....

And that is your daily RICHual.

So this week I’ve touched on health RICHuals, work RICHuals, and daily RICHuals. I’ve also made ,or am attempting to make some major dietary moves.

Two years ago, my wife, Linda, went Plant Based for her meals as a response to some health issues. For her, it worked. She has significantly changed some bad numbers in her health screenings .I cut back on some of the meat stuff but didn’t REALLY get on board until mid February. My excuse used to be how difficult it was to eat well while traveling, but, UH OH, that excuse has gone by the wayside.

So during this Corona Craziness, what have YOU been doing as your Daily RICHuals?

For me, beyond work and basic health monitoring, I have some other RICHuals to keep me focused on things outside of work

First, I’m trying to keep my sleep schedule tight. I’m usually a 9:30-5:30 kind of guy and that has been a consistent thing for years. Next, I’m making sure I get in my miles each day. A bad, soon to be replaced knee, has kept me slow and well below my usual mileage.

Yesterday's 3 RICHuals were just simple ways to check in on myself from a basic health standpoint. Being under a Stay-at-Home order, however, has fired my creative juices for some other daily RICHuals.

Let’s talk about work:

As a sales trainer who mostly works with real estate agents there have been no in person courses for nearly four weeks. I’ve had a few go Virtual, and most get postponed. The Virtual ones have been fun while being an opportunity to create a little cash flow.

I was last in front of a real live class almost a month ago. Like all of you, my life has had a bit of a Corona focus.

Don’t get me wrong, I am the farthest thing from panic mode. In fact, I read about two or three articles a day to make sure I am up on the latest, but I have no interest in becoming overly obsessed or worried.

My focus is taking care of myself.

Along that lines, I have developed 3 daily RICHuals around the Virus

I think you could begin gradually with some exercise. Exercise will not only help your brain but it should also help you sleep. Pick something that works for you: walking, running, cycling, yoga, whatever. Just pick something that works your heart and pumps your blood. Your sleep will also be helped by lowering stress. Worry is a big stressor.

I remember learning in a Franklin Covey time management course that there are two walls in our lives. There is the wall of control and the wall of no control. We get into trouble when we try to control the things on the wall of no control. I guess I'm saying, "let go, Luke."

Stress. Rule 8. They call stress a killer, and they are right. We're not talking about short term stress here like that person who cuts you off without a turn signal while they're chatting on their phone and you get really pissed. In fact, that kind of stress is natural (and some maintain it is actually healthy). It's chronic stress that is the problem. "Under chronic stress, adrenaline creates scars in your blood vessels that can cause a heart attack or stroke,” says Medina.

Sleep. Medina's rule #7 is, Sleep well, think well. First, it's probably a good idea to know what kind of person you are. There are morning people, night owl's and some in between. Identifying when you are at your best because of when you sleep is essential in being your best. I do some of my best work in the morning. It’s also wen I exerciseFor some of you, that idea is appalling! It's okay. Just know when you're at your best (most awake, clear, bright, whatever) and revolve your schedule around it. Of course, how much sleep we get is the key here.

Exercise. In the beginning, we were hunters and gatherers. Researchers estimate that the average person from the Homo erectus group, over a million years ago moved 10 to 20 kilometers a day (6-12 miles). Scientists also believe that this was the time of the human brains most impressive development, man (the species, not the gender) was on the move.

After a fresh reading of John Medina's book, "Brain Rules," I have pledged to treat my brain better. In my list of favorite books, I mentioned that Medina’s book could be the owner’s manual for the brain.

Medina has 12 rules for your brain, and here’s what they are:

1.Exercise boosts brain power

2.The human brain evolves

3.Every brain is wired differently

4.We don’t pay attention to boring things

5.Repeat to remember

6. Remember to repeat

7. Sleep well, think well

8. Stressed brains don’t learn the same way

9. Stimulate more of the senses

10. Vision trumps all other senses

11. Male and female brains are different

12. We are powerful and natural explorers.