EPISODE · Feb 10, 2020 · 53 MIN
Better Wellbeing Through Doing Nothing
from The Better Show · host March Rogers, Darren Austin, Ian Mikutel
Show Notes 1:40 — 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 time 8:21 — 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 Harriss 41:15 — Using the tactic of setting boundaries as a way to prevent personal burnout. 42:39 — Make Time by Jake Knapp 43:40 — 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
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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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