It was the writer Kurt Vonnegut who said “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you`ll look back and realize they were the big things.” The same could be said about taking care of our mental wellbeing.
A mentally healthy life is made up of many different, tiny things, all contributing 1% to our mindstate. Diet, sleep, hydration, hormones, sunlight, exercise, attention, vitamins, meditation, media consumption, and on and on. All tiny things. Small practices, chosen by and unique to us, and most of which are easy to do.
But also very easy not to do.
When life throws us a curve ball, or we’re facing big stressors – job loss, grief, trauma – or even regular daily microstressors such as paying the bills, or the constant negativity of the 24-hour news cycle, it’s easy to abandon our wellness practices. They might feel frivolous or silly in contrast to the serious worries of the world or our situation. Self-indulgent. Selfish. Grotesquely luxurious.
But it’s exactly those times, when problems seem their most serious, that we should double down on our wellbeing. It enables us to face our challenges with our best minds and our greatest strengths. Stephen R. Covey called it “sharpening the saw”. And we owe it to ourselves to bring our A-game when the going gets tough.
So here are a bunch of little things that might help. Hopefully you’ll find that some are actually big things. And if you have any useful resources, practices, ideas, memes, quotes, or books to help brighten someone’s day, or offer support in difficult times, send them to me at chris@chrisbrock.co.uk and I’ll share them.
Writing might help
When was the last time you sent someone a letter that you wrote by hand? When was the last time you wrote anything by hand? If you’re like me, you find it more convenient and quicker to text or email, to make notes on your phone, or type on your laptop.
But writing by hand can have all types of benefits for your brain and you. From deepening content processing and emotional health, to fighting cognitive decline and even enhancing the structure of your brain (link), the pen may truly be mightier than MS Word.
Writing letters can even help to ease loneliness and depression, and increase social bonds. So go on, dig out your journal, or send a postcard to a friend, or do your morning pages, or write a list of things that make you happy. It’s good for you.
This haiku might help
Though I’m no expert, I love old Japanese poems. Laden with hidden meanings, sometimes they’re funny, sometimes naughty, and sometimes they give us something to think about. This 17th century verse by poet and samurai Mizuta Masahide is a famous example of the latter:
My barn having burned down,
Now I can see the moon.
Masahide finds a positive outcome in a tragic event, the barn that he lived in really did burn down, but here he is reminding us that there’s always another way to look at things. In this case, without a roof over his head he was finally able to see the moon, unobstructed.
But in Japanese poetry there are sometimes other hidden gems. The moon is often used as a metaphor for enlightenment, so in this poem we are reminded that sometimes when things turn to ashes we can find ourselves blessed with a renewed sense of clarity.
This Instapost might help
Broadcaster and writer Anita Rani reminds us how powerful we are, right now, in this moment:
Getting blue might help
In color psychology some shades of blue are said to have a positive impact on our moods and our general health. Often used in therapeutic settings due to its calming effect, the colour blue is said to promote peace and serenity. While more research needs to be done, chromatherapy advocates are saying that it can also boost alertness, reaction time, and have physiological benefits too. Worth considering when you’re redecorating your home.
And that’s just blue. What about the other colours?
This quote might help
“In the end, everything will be ok. If it's not ok, it's not yet the end.”
- Fernando Sabino
These books might help
My friend Christopher Manning recommended this book, by Zen teacher Henry Shukman, in which he describes his path to Zen, and how it cured many of the problems he faced in his life, including chronic and tortuous eczema. I’m about half way through it (I’m a slow reader), and it’s a lovely book to escape into.
The second book this week is the new release by my pal, Tony Wrighton. Tony is a biohacker, a leading expert in neurolinguistic programming (NLP), and he’s made it his mission to live a life filled with energy (check out his Zestology podcast). This book is packed full of practical advice for living well, feeling good, and being healthy. And, for what’s it worth, I shot the photo on the front cover.
Being a cheerleader might help
Christopher and Tony, who I’ve mentioned above, have both been cheerleaders for me at times me when I’ve needed support and encouragement the most. When you’ve got someone telling you they believe in your skills, what you do, and who you are, it can go a long way to helping you find your lost mojo, rebuild your self esteem, or grow your confidence.
We all need cheerleaders. But if you don’t have one, maybe you can be one. Supporting others is good for your mental health. So why not ask yourself, who can you be a cheerleader for today?
Cake might help
I mean, honestly, when doesn’t cake help? But if you like cooking (and yes, using cake mix from a packet does count) then you might find it a practical way to deal with a difficult week. Baking cakes has a wide range of benefits: it’s a mindful activity, it can calm the nervous system, it can be social, or help to deal with loneliness, and the anticipation of eating a cake you’ve lovingly made yourself is sure to give you a dopamine boost.
If you’re not convinced, and need to find out for yourself, here’s an easy banana cake recipe to get you started.
This meme might help
From writer Tania Hart, reminding us that the rules of life are arbitrary and up to us:
That’s it for this week. I hope that the sun is shining where you are, whatever the weather. And if you have anything you think would be worth including in the next newsletter, please email me.
With love.
Chris