Good days are repeatable.
And they’re repeatable through the scaffolding we give them.
Rituals and habits that minimize how off track we get.
Like putting the bumpers up in bowling.
You can steal mine.
Get time for yourself before the world wakes up. Stretch. Walk. Read. Write. Journal. Meditate. Workout. Do whatever feeds you. When you prioritize this ahead of the emails, Slacks, and stress, your day just got easier.
Get sunshine in the morning. We’re competent, pleasant adults when properly rested, and mid-life toddlers when we aren’t. Go outside and face the morning sun for a few minutes. Yes, even if it’s behind clouds. No sunglasses. This helps our circadian rhythm which helps our sleep.
Drink salt. No, not table salt. Electrolyte salts, like LMNT. They’re an instant boost of sodium, magnesium, and potassium, and they’re the only drink that makes me feel better and more energized as soon as I drink it.
Breathe through your nose. Control your breath, control your life force. There are few things more fundamental to life itself. We’re built to breathe through our noses, but for many reasons we won’t get into here, we’ve become mouth breathers, to the detriment of our own health. Be attentive to your breath. The more attention you pay, the more awareness you have of when you’re mouth breathing, and can correct it. Before long, you’ll be a nasal breather, and healthier for it.
Practice resonant breathing. When you’re stressed. When you’re anxious. When you’re nervous. When you want to center yourself ahead of a call or meeting. When you want to calm your mind. Use your breath and your physiology to your advantage. Use resonant breathing as a reactionary and preventative tool in your day. In studies, its shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and improve heart rate variability.
Walk it out. Take a walk between calls and meetings. Or over lunch. Or take one or more of your calls or meetings on a walk. The feasibility of this is different for everyone, but if you can make a walk happen, make the walk happen. You’ll break up your day, increase your clarity and creativity, and improve your health.
If you find value in the things I publish here, it’d mean the world if you’d share it with someone else. It’s the only way this space and community continues to grow.
✌️ and ❤️,
Adam Griffin