Modern life got you down? Three actions that can increase your resilience

Modern life got you down? Three actions that can increase your resilience

I always enjoy reading the annual “look ahead” published by the Economist, and The World in 2018 is no exception.

One article that caught my eye was a short piece on the potentially negative health impacts of life in the modern world, from business travel, to 24/7 connectivity, to social media use. You can access the article here.

There are indeed challenges in modern life that can make you miserable, but what’s discussed less frequently are the ways to gain the benefits of life in 2018 while avoiding some of the negative impacts. It’s something I work on with many organizational leaders and professionals in my individual therapy practice and discuss as a keynote speaker.

Here are three simple tips that can make a difference:

• Business travel: Yes, business comes first, but not at the expense of your mental health. Relationships matter whether you are at home or away, so invest in one social outing per trip (even if it’s a short lunch break). And book one dedicated exercise session (even if it’s just a brisk walk) for each full day that you are away.
• Your phone and sleep. These two things do not go well together. In fact, your phone should not be in your hands one hour before bedtime, and certainly not during a sleep-disturbed night when you are unexpectedly awake and wondering what to do. That’s when a boring book, read outside of your bed until you feel drowsy again, is ideal.
• Loneliness: We know from research that investing in good relationships (they don’t need to be fabulous – just good) pays off for all of us. Here’s a simple tip to ward off the loneliness blues: always have a lunch with a friend in your calendar – and treat it as an important meeting that cannot be changed. When the lunch is done, book another one.

These are all small actions today that can pay off in the long term, both for you and those around you. If you have any questions or feedback please let me know.

Looking forward to staying connected!