Hello and welcome to 4-Minute Friday where I share, in four minutes or less, the latest things I’m doing to enhance my health, save money, and make day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable.
All comments and follow-up questions can be posted directly below, on my Facebook page or emailed to me at zach.griffith1@gmail.com!
Mindset I’ve Benefited From: The Spotlight Effect
Have you ever walked into a room and instantly thought that everyone was looking at you?
This phenomenon is known as The Spotlight Effect and is a cognitive bias portraying that we often have the tendency to think that people notice us more than they actually do. At its core, it’s quite egotistical– although it doesn’t by any means indicate that you’re a self-centered person if you experience this.
It’s actually quite normal.
Hypothetical situation… you and your pals take a group photo at your next get-together. Who is the first person you look at? I’ll let you answer that.
As imperfect beings, we hold a skewed perspective because we are the only ones living out our experience. We have absolutely no clue what anyone else is experiencing.
This even holds true for our taste preferences. My brother hates broccoli with every ounce of himself, but I love broccoli more than I do some of my family members… what in the world is it that he’s tasting? Clearly it’s not the same thing that I am.
Once you realize this, it’s an exceptionally freeing feeling.
Maybe you worry about others noticing you don’t have perfect form when you go to the gym. Or you think everyone is sniffing out that you have absolutely zero idea how to dance when your significant other drags you to the dance floor at your in-law’s wedding.
Don’t worry, the people to your left and right are thinking the exact same thing. Lean into it and realize that truly nobody is thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about yourself… if at all. And if they do happen to be judging, you shouldn’t hold their opinion too closely anyway.
As my friend Alex says, just learn how to hit the Harlem shake, get out on the dance floor, and roll with it.
Fitness Endeavor I’m Revisiting: Hot Yoga
After wrapping up finals last week, I’ve had nothing but free time to explore and try out new things in Chicago. I should add that I’ve prioritized finding *free things to do as this city will take an arm and leg if you aren’t careful.
Although I’ve done it before, a fitness endeavor I’m revisiting is hot yoga. A nearby studio called CorePower offers one-week free trials and my roommate and I have been taking full advantage.
As a self-proclaimed nonflexible (very large) human, yoga is quite the struggle with all the various postures and balance work that’s incorporated. However, with the room being roughly 100 degrees during hot yoga, I’ve noticed some differences.
Aside from sweating more than a snowman in the desert, the extra heat tends to allow me more pliability and a deeper stretch with various poses such as pigeon and low lunge. Not only do I feel like I look less like an amateur (although no one truly cares; see above), I also notice myself feeling more mobile in the days to follow.
I highly recommend scoping out your area for hot yoga studios – especially if they offer the opportunity to try it out at a discounted price!
Podcast Episode: Modern Wisdom – 15 Lessons From 2023
I’ve mentioned the Modern Wisdom podcast multiple times since starting this blog last year. I’ll even venture out and say this podcast is one of the top reasons I started Healthy in Bulk and my blogging journey in the first place.
The host, Chris Williamson, is an exceptional interviewer and carries with him an incredibly unique and powerful outlook on life established by his past experiences. The way in which he frames questions and structures his conversations is masterful.
He’s hosted all the top guests you can imagine including Andrew Huberman, David Goggins, Jordan Peterson, and Jocko Willink. If there’s a well-known person you admire the work of, search their name followed by ‘Modern Wisdom’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and there’s a good chance that Chris has interviewed them.
This Wednesday he released a new episode titled 15 Lessons from 2023 and I’m really enjoying it thus far. Only an hour long but PACKED with insights.
Give it a listen!
Disclaimer: Many of his episodes are NSFW so take caution before playing it out loud in the breakroom!
What else
Christmas is on our doorstep and if you’re one of those people who haven’t purchased gifts yet, a barbell and pair of dumbbells goes a long way. I’m only half kidding.
I’ll be releasing a post next week on a practice called Non-Sleep Deep Rest; included in it are some very valuable tools that take little effort!
If you enjoy this weekly bite of information, please share it with a coworker, friend, and/or family member!
Nobody is thinking about you as much as you think they are. Take the pressure off yourself.
DISCLAIMER
- This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.
Excellent read...really makes you think about putting alot of pressure on yourself, when you should be enjoying being with others.
People really don't care if you look as crazy as you think you do. Thanks for sharing this info!