EPISODE · Feb 10, 2020 · 53 MIN
Better Wellbeing Through Doing Nothing
from The Better Show · host March Rogers, Darren Austin, Ian Mikutel
Show Notes1:40 — The inspiration for this episode.4:38 — What “doing nothing” every once in a while is important.7:42 — Darren ponders why we seem to be busier than ever even as we introduce new technology that is supposed to save us time8:21 — March shares an interesting finding from a recent survey that showed that only 17% of Americans spent any time just being with their thoughts in the past month.10:40 — The definition of “burnout” and the research into the risk factors for burnout.13:37 — The connection between loneliness, technology and burnout.15:01 — Ian shares his personal experience of studying stoicism as a remedy for personal burnout.17:53 — The importance of recognizing the importance of stillness in life.19:14 — March’s experiment with creating a time for stillness and the similarity he found with a meditation practice.20:58 — Paying attention to the “default mode network” of the brain and the tendency toward negative thoughts.22:51 — Darren shares how he has prioritized his “IRL” interactions and his yoga practice as ways of guarding against personal burnout.25:35 — Tactics Ian and March use to create space in their lives for stillness.29:54 — The benefit that being bored helps foster your creativity.30:47 — March shares the findings from “the phone book study” about boredom and creativity.34:59 — The benefits of quiet time and “boredom” on short-term memory and social interactions.36:49 — Cognitive behavioral therapy.38:28 — The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss41:15 — Using the tactic of setting boundaries as a way to prevent personal burnout.42:39 — Make Time by Jake Knapp43:40 — The Bored & Brilliant Challenge from the Note to Self podcast.46:40 — Taking a “stay-cation” to reduce stress and burnout.48:52 — March, Ian and Darren share the things they are going to adopt from this episode.Mentions🎙️ Podcast: Bored and brilliant challenge from the Note to Self podcast📰 Article: Why the Internet Has Made Us Lonelier Than Ever (Psychology Today)🎵 Music: Kind of Blue album by Miles Davis🎵 Music: Disintegration album by The Cure📖 Book: Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday📖 Book: The Obstacle is The Way📖 Book: Ego is the Enemy📖 Book: Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy📖 Book: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss🎙️ Related episode: Episode 5: Meditation for focus & happiness🎙️ Related episode: Episode 56: How Morning Routines Make the day🎙️ Related episode: Episode 61: Better Health Through Yoga🎙️ Related episode: Episode 20: Controlling Screen Time, So It Doesn’t Control You
What this episode covers
Most of the time when we consider ways to help improve our health or well-being, we think about the things we have to take action on. In this episode we explore the benefits of simply taking a break. Resisting the pressure to always be "doing" something is often very difficult. We share ways to subtly give yourself a short break every now and then and explore the benefits of doing so.
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Better Wellbeing Through Doing Nothing
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