Issue #106: The Solution for Burnout is What's NOT on Your Calendar
Good morning. It’s Monday, January 16th. Hitting your inbox this morning on this day honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Whether you're working or have the day off - take a moment to reflect on the power of his words and keep alive his dream of a more just, more equitable world for all of us.
Miss any of our issues last week on SLEEP? Catch up on Issues #101 - #105 here.
This week we're switching gears and talking about FUN, specifically hobbies.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
From the Lab: The Importance of Hobbies
Take Action: Bring Hobbies Back
Speed Read: Can We Really Control Aging?
Monday Metabolic: Lunge, Step & Jump
Monday Q: Added a New Hobby Lately?
The percent of Americans who believe having a hobby is important.
From the Lab
I'm pretty sure we don't need Gallup for this one - but just to be sure, 76% of us experience burnout at work.
We all know the story - technology enabled us to work from home, but…it also made it so that we’re never just “at home." We’re always ON - on call and available.
Even if you don’t add the demands of kids to the mix - this becomes a nonstop treadmill that keeps our brains going 24/7 and, no wonder, leads to chronic stress.
Reading the rest of this report, you'd think that the solution exists in the hours of what happens at work - be more inspired, get engaged with what you're doing all day.
No doubt this is true - but I'd argue the solution is actually about what's NOT on your calendar more than what is.
My go-to stress release has always been exercise. Whether I’m grinding out a 5-mile run, doing laps in the pool, or hitting up the gym a good sweat is my antibody. No doubt this is one of the best ways to optimize our mental and physical health.
But there’s something else we should be doing too…pursuing hobbies.
A hobby is a pursuit we voluntarily do on our own time without a connection to work.
I changed this from what you might read by the strict definition in the dictionary because well - watching TV or scrolling IG isn’t a hobby.
A pursuit doesn’t need a goal or objective, but it can’t just be a passive activity - like watching others live their life. It's about you living yours!
A landmark study in 2009 (that’s credible even if you're not a Steelers fan), the Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT) showed that engaging with hobbies was associated* with lower blood pressure, cortisol, waist circumference, and better overall physical function.
On top of that, Dr. Ken Duckworth, is among many who have found that hobbies reduce our stress and improve our mental health.
I think it’s about time we protect the time for these hobbies as much as we do those meetings to review the weekly TPS reports.
*Yes, it is correlation, but it controlled for demographic factors and doesn't discount the potential upside of bringing hobbies into your daily life.
Take Action
Moving aside from traditional exercise, what hobbies do you enjoy (activities like hiking can be included)? 🎸
Do you regularly do these activities on a weekly basis or have they fallen off your schedule? 🎨
I’ve struggled myself with this - I’m committing in 2023 to have more FUN and keeping these pursuits on my calendar is part of that resolution.
What about you?
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Speaking of fun - how about an app for mental health that's actually FUN? Try Shmoody.
Whether you 're dealing with depression, anxiety or just stressed out, this app offers scientifically proven ways you can feel better. Shmoody makes it easy and fun to feel better on tough days, and build positive habits. Plus an awesomely fun community for support and accountability.
Try Shmoody to feel better now - 20% off in January. Click HERE.
Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Artificial Consciousness: But what is consciousness anyway? If a robot is conscious, should it vote; what if we take a robot “offline”? Read more on the state of robot consciousness to see how far we are from Westworld in the real. (NYTimes)
Dry January Support: You signed up for Dry January, and you’ve made it to day 16. You’re probably in pretty good shape, but here are some tips to make the full 31. Find that non-alcoholic substitute, resist temptations, have a support team, and check in on how you feel. You got this! (Harvard)
Age Reversal from David Sinclair: After 13 years and the release of his book Lifespan, Harvard researcher David Sinclair has published a paper showing how our epigenome dictates our rate of aging and may make age reversal a future possibility. (Time)
Monday Metabolic
A real metabolic workout for your legs - starts with a weighted lunge, but after 3 rounds of box jumps and step ups, you'll be sweating for sure.
Click HERE to view the workout on our YouTube channel.
Workout and video courtesy of Connor J. Obrochta. Check out all of Connor's workouts on Playbook!
Monday Q
When's the last time you started a new hobby?
OR
What's a hobby from 10+ years ago you want to start up again?
Product Recs
Impossible - my go-to after a week of poor sleep during my fast. A combination of magnesium and l-theanine powder with nothing else to help you sleep. Click HERE. 😴
TMAC Fitness - 20-min home workouts with no equipment that finishes with a quick meditation, what's easier than that? Try TMAC for 10 Days Free. 🧘
Thanks for joining us today!
Check out the latest workout videos on our YouTube channel
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.