MindHack Digest: It's Going to be Alright.
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been stressed and had a noticeable increase in anxiety over the past few weeks. It’s been starting to get better and I hope it will get better even as this crisis intensifies.
I’ve been doing more intense workouts on the Peloton and Bowflex and have been spending more time meditating than before. I’ve been recommending this interview with Sam Harris, who is largely considered an expert in the field of mindfulness.
“You want to feel fear when it’s appropriate and useful to feel it and you want to be able to release it the moment there is no point to it.”
Fear, Anxiety, Stress - these are all instinctive reactions meant to protect us. The problem comes when we try to numb the pain of that negative emotion.
It’s easier said than done of course, but the best thing to do is to sit with the emotion, to be inquisitive and explore the emotion, because anything we feel is valid and justified; it’s our minds trying to tell us something.
“Some people are content in the midst of deprivation and danger, while others are miserable despite having all the luck in the world. This is not to say that external circumstances do not matter. But it is your mind, rather than circumstances themselves, that determines the quality of your life. Your mind is the basis of everything you experience and of every contribution you make to the lives of others. Given this fact, it makes sense to train it.”
― Sam Harris, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion (Great read btw)
The best way to train our minds is with meditation and mindfulness and as the old Chinese Proverb says, the best time to start something was 10 years ago, the 2nd best time is now.
Sam Harris is even offering his fantastic Meditation app, Waking Up free for anybody who can’t afford it. Just contact them here to put in a request.
TLDR:
Exercise more & Start Meditating
Carelessness & being overly paranoia are unjustified
Focus only on what you can control
“There is only one road to happiness — let this rule be at hand morning, noon, and night: stay detached from things that are not up to you.” — Epictetus
PS: I have an Acupressure mat similar to this and have recommended to multiple people now how amazing it is for sleep. Nearly every night I lay it out on my bed and within 10 minutes I’m out like a lightbulb. The blood-rushing palpitations somehow works to put the mind to sleep.
To safe out there,
Cody
🦠 Thoughtful COVID-19 Links
Up-to-Date Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19) Information
Peter Attia has by far the best health-focused podcast out there, and he has a collection of episodes he’s made free to listen to about this pandemic.
Why the Crisis is a Test of our Capacity to Adapt
(5m Read) Killing two birds with one stone never sounded easy to me. But there is no excuse now not to be radical. This crisis is a test of many things. Not least among them is our capacity to adapt.
SBA Disaster Loans: The Unofficial Guide for Freelancers & Startups
(7m Read) In keeping with the times, the feds have provided little guidance on how SBA loans work– especially for startups and the self-employed. We think this is unfair and are continually updating this document with everything you need to know to apply for an SBA disaster loan- all in FAQ format.
A Hot Bath has Benefits Similar to Exercise
(4m Read) Maybe this isn’t a huge surprise, but now it’s scientifically proven.
How Will the Corona Virus End?
(10m Read) The U.S. may end up with the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the industrialized world. This is how it’s going to play out.
4 Ways to Control Your Emotions in Tense Moments
(6m Read) The ability to recognize, own, and shape your own emotions is the master skill for deepening intimacy with loved ones, magnifying influence in the workplace, and amplifying our ability to turn ideas into results.
By Cody McLain
Get a head-start to your week with the latest news and articles involving Productivity, Business, Science, Psychology Technology and more. Cody is a successful serial entrepreneur who creates and shares content around helping you live a more successful and meaningful life.
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