Monotony Madness
Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. Other times, it’s hard to forge a new path through the monotony.
Often when patients feel the slow grind of daily life whittling them down, they start to increasingly feel helpless, stressed, and desperate about their lack of choices. In fact, the pressure can sometimes even make those choices bad ones - including self-destructive behaviors, overly reactive responses, and just plain giving up.
However, there is hope: even a single, small, positive effort can have an enormous impact on your overall well-being.
I like to give people options, not only for self-advocacy, but also because an idea that may not seem great today might be perfect tomorrow. Here are three for your consideration:
Try a new exercise. Routine fitness programs can feel sometimes like, well, a routine. And needing to exercise several days a week already builds in the boredom for many. In fact, it is well known that even our bodies (and muscles) get bored, too. It is essential for maintaining fitness to vary your workouts. So, instead of just taking a walk around the block, stop for a few stretches. Instead of a few stretches at home, learn a new yoga pose. Or, put on your favorite playlist and dance it out. Movement is the key to survival. You can dance while you Swiffer. You can yoga while you watch Baby Yoda. Any way you vary it up is going to help both your body and your mind.
Learn a new recipe. There’s nothing quite so satisfying as healthy, delicious (and nutritious!) food. For this suggestion, I am recommending a tried-and-true classic: Julia Child’s, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Some recipes in here are professional-grade. Others are as basic as they come. Either way, you’ll be inspired to learn something you’ll be able to use your whole life. The goal here isn’t a quick snack. It’s a chance to master a basic new skill - one that puts the focus on doing something good for yourself, and that you can share with others.
Grow something. The first two suggestions are more immediate and short-term solutions. This one is a long-term project, but a simple one. Whether you’re potting a new lemon tree in the backyard or on your deck, or watching that basil plant from Trader Joe’s grow into a small bush on your kitchen windowsill, the act of nurturing something green and living can instill a sense of hope for the future, a connection to the circle of life, and self-satisfaction for simple success.
Try them out, let me know what you think, and, as always,
Take Good Care!
Dale