I want to help you not just survive, but THRIVE in these uncertain times. Here is your daily dose of inspiration – because if we set our compass right, we can sail through this!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss
Tip # 28: Read something Inspiring
Seek out things to read that are inspiring, uplifting, motivating and help you to grow. This could be a book, of course, but also audiobooks and TED talks or similar inspiring video content.
Reading is a relaxing and rejuvenating activity. In The Art of Rest, they name Reading as the single most restful activity their research uncovered. It is a way to focus your mind on one thing and quiet the chatter of a busy day. It is an activity that can draw us into a flow state, getting lost in the moment, revealing insight and embedding powerful patterns of thinking as we absorb the content.
Anyone who has read something inspiring or motivating will know that the impact on mindset can linger long after you put the book down. I usually start my day with a long walk listening to an inspiring audiobook, the wisdom of what I hear propels me into my day in a great frame of mind.
In his book Resilient, Rick Hanson talks about the power of consuming uplifting content – rather than the stressful content of news, drama, etc. It helps in shaping our brain to be less fearful and more resilient. This is a point made in countless books by philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists and one that I have found to be true in my life.
Recommended Reading
The Art of Rest, Claudia Hammond
Today busyness has become a badge of honour. We want to say we’re busy, yet at the same time we feel exhausted. Instead we should start taking rest seriously as a method of self-care and this book can help us to work out how.
The Art of Rest draws on ground-breaking research Claudia Hammond collaborated on – ‘The Rest Test’ – the largest global survey into rest ever undertaken, which was completed by 18,000 people across 135 different countries. Much of value has been written about sleep, but rest is different; it is how we unwind, calm our minds and recharge our bodies. And, as the survey revealed, how much rest you get is directly linked to your sense of well-being.
