Peak Health Wellness Insights Issue 32
Op Ed: The New Normal
Written by Rose Davis
A series to discuss new lifestyle changes brought about by the effects of a global pandemic
I am overwhelmed by how quickly a community can be derailed. We are stubborn creatures of habit, routine, and predictability. This is not to say we do not adapt and change as a society, we do. However, when these changes threaten our habits, routines and life's predictability, instability ensues quite quickly. Coronavirus is just one example of this.
What might the impact of this ultimately be? What is going to change and will it cause forever change? This situation currently calls to question how we eat, sleep, socialise, work, interact with others, exercise, and more....
Focus: Happiness and finding meaning in life
Psychologists will tell you that having purpose in life leads to a happier and more fulfilled life and that taking time to do things that make us truly fulfilled with the people we love should be our key priority for longevity and happiness. However for many of us, this idea sounds great in theory but is unrealised in our day to day. We have meetings to go to, work to finish, and errands to take care of and somehow we decide that what makes us truly happy should be pushed to one side. But life during the pandemic has obliged us to reorder our priorities. Not only have we been confronted quite aggressively with the harsh reality that life itself is ephemeral, we have also realised that the tasks which previously got in the way of the more valuable and happiness-producing moments in life, were slowly being eliminated. We have been compelled to be with our families and loved ones, to take time to make a meal together from scratch, to enjoy nature, to read books; we are being asked to return to a simpler life and one that is scientifically-proven to make us happier. Will elements of this simplicity and resulting happiness remain once the world opens again? Or will we be so eager to find ways to occupy ourselves and our minds that we will overcomplicate and over-schedule our lives once more?
Mental Resilience
Basing your self-worth on financial success leads to increased feelings of loneliness
Scientists find that when a person bases their self worth on their financial success, they believe this success is reflective of who they are as a person and only feel good when they are doing well financially. Research shows that these people tend to have negative social outcomes. This is partly due to the fact that they may feel pressure to achieve financial success at the expense of crucial social networks and personal relationships that are important for mental wellness. This supports a larger body of work that suggests money is not the key to happiness.
Sleep
Perceived stress can make us feel tired even if we have exerted ourselves minimally physically
This research shows that perceived stress is associated with fatigue. Findings demonstrate that increased feelings of tension and lack of joy, specifically, are correlated strongly with increased fatigue. Currently, the uncertain times and the stress of an unstable economy we are experiencing may be causing psychological strain that can explain why some of us are feeling more tired even though we may be doing less physically.
Nutrition
A more balanced protein intake throughout the day can reduce age-related muscle loss
We know that protein is key for building muscle. However, this process happens less efficiently in older people than in younger, which is why people can experience muscle-loss as they age. Interestingly, this study found that older people also tend to consume protein unevenly throughout the day (eating more at dinner than breakfast or lunch). Their insights suggest that focusing on getting more protein in earlier meals will help older adults maintain muscle mass as they age.
Fitness
Yoga may be as beneficial to the brain as aerobic exercise
Regular yoga practice has significant benefits to parts of the brain responsible for memory processing and decision-making, comparable to the benefits seen from aerobic exercise. However unlike aerobic exercise, which impacts the brain and body as a result of increasing heart rate on oxygen to the brain, yoga takes an emotion-based pathway. Scientists believe that yoga's ability to improve one's emotional regulation and reduce overall stress might be why it has such a strong positive impact on the brain.
Productivity Tip
Time away from your desk is just as important for health, focus and productivity
Habit Hack of the week
Share what you love with others
Once you start finding a habit you enjoy, share about it with others. This will help attract a supportive network that will motivate you to continue.