Hi there,
I don’t have to tell any of you that this has been a hard couple of years. Between two years of Covid, and, most recently, the war in Ukraine, I’ve been doing my best to keep my head above water — but sometimes the stress and hopelessness of it all gets to me.
These are the strategies that help me the most when I’m feeling anxious, depressed, or hopeless:
- Consistent exercise (big surprise…!)
- Fresh air and sunshine
- Nutritious food
- Sleep 7-8 hours a night
- Learn things that inspire me
- Connect with people I care about
When I focus on really dialing these in, I do pretty well most days. If I miss any of them, I start to struggle.
This is also a great article on what to do when you’re feeling the hopelessness of war.
What I’m reading (book) —
How to Change the World by John-Paul Flintoff
We all want to change the world, but sometimes it’s hard not to feel powerless to make a difference. This book covers practical inspiring ways to begin making a dent in the world using your unique gifts and interests.
What I’m reading (article)
Authenticity Under Fire by Scott Barry Kaufman
Who is the “real me?” This is a question many of us ask ourselves at various points in our lives. Kaufman argues that there is no true or “authentic self” — all sides of ourselves are part of who we are.
Our goal, he says, should not be to search for that one authentic self. Instead, we should aim for healthy authenticity, “an ongoing process of discovery, involving self-awareness, self-honesty, integrity with your most consciously chosen values and highest goals, and a commitment to cultivating authentic relationships.”
This article goes nicely with last week’s book, Your Symphony of Selves: Discover and Understand More of Who We Are .
A quote that inspires me —
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver
What I’m training —
Here’s a five-exercise bodyweight workout I posted on Instagram this week.
Three new workouts —
Outdoor Bodyweight Sprint Workout (Time challenge, equipment-free)
Full Body Jump Rope HIIT Workout (12 minute HIIT, jump rope, plyo box)
Heart-Pounding Medicine Ball AMRAP Workout (AMRAP, medicine ball)
You can get these and all future workouts right in the 12 Minute Athlete app when you subscribe as a Super Athlete.
Questions? Feedback? Content requests?
Please feel free to reply directly to this email if you have any questions or comments (yes, I am a real human). I get a lot of emails and messages, so I can’t reply to all of them, but I do read everything you guys send me!
– Krista