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, develop a better mindset, make day-to-day life easier, and other shenanigans.
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Weekly Running Analogy:
This week I watched running expert, Nick Bare, in an instructional video discuss his beginnings in the sport.
How he picked up running, his early setbacks, where the journey has taken him and so forth.
But a key point that stuck out to me was a common question he gets asked by people who currently don’t run or are just getting into the sport/hobby.
“Where do I start?”
And it’s a common question asked with any endeavor, really. We seek to learn from others’ mistakes and use their experiences to get off on the best foot possible.
Which is a worthy pursuit.
But with running, business, and alike… the most important thing is to just start doing the thing.
Reading about the proper weekly mileage, nutritional intake, optimal cadence, and other aspects will only get you so far. And this overloads us with information that’s often too much — especially for a beginner.
I’ve personally found it’s best to take a headfirst jump into the activity and figure it out on the go. Sure, in the case of running, our form isn’t going to be the best, we’ll be quite sore after the first few times, and we might not have the perfect fueling routine nailed down right out of the gate.
But our bodies are smart.
They adapt to the demands we place on them and learn how to be efficient — even if we don’t consciously change our approach.
The same can be generalized to so much else in life. Getting started with a perfect plan in place and a full understanding of what we’re getting into is impossible and trying to do so leads to more anxiety than necessary.
Instead, just start and be consistent.
The rest will take care of itself.
Article I Enjoyed This Week:
In the Dry January discussion last week, I briefly interjected that statistics are showing Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012) have a lower alcohol intake than that of previous generations. And if you did the math, no, 13-year-olds should indeed not be drinking at all, but this is accounted for in the analysis.
In the last 20 or so years, there’s been a 10% decrease in the number of individuals under the age of 35 who report drinking… at all.
The reasons why are likely multifaceted and up for debate.
And while I’m not here to say I have the answer, there are a few things I believe are contributing to this trend.
First, there are more (better, if you will) ways to socialize that the younger crowd is taking interest in. Things like run clubs popping up left and right, group fitness classes numbers soaring, and pickleball taking the scene by storm all speak to this.
On the other hand, it could be that this generation is simply socializing less overall… which of course isn’t a good thing. With the advent of social media and gaming systems, it allows the “social interaction itch” to be scratched but certainly doesn’t fill our cup even a fraction as much as true social connection does.
Another potential culprit is the NA (i.e., non-alcoholic) beverage scene has stepped its game up tremendously over the last several years. Big-name brands are rolling out more alternatives and new-age companies such as Athletic Brewing have stormed into the market. Not only do they taste nearly identical to your typical adult brew, but they don’t leave you feeling crummy the next day… or couple days if that’s your style.
And finally, GenZ is at the forefront of this wellness craze/phase/revolution we’re experiencing in my humble, non-biased opinion. Wearable devices offering sleep and stress data are on nearly every wrist/finger and people are thinking more about their health than years past. With that, it’s objectively being experienced that alcohol absolutely wrecks sleep quality.
But with all that being said, there’s no reason not to occasionally have a beverage or two with friends if that’s something you enjoy.
Moderation is key.
Book I Just Finished:
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
Incredible fiction novel with a subliminal message intertwined.
Couldn’t recommend more highly — especially before bed as we discussed last week.
One big takeaway I had that won’t give away the story – all the trials, tribulations, and frustrations we experience are what make our journeys meaningful. Rather than trying to avoid these, lean into them and understand they are a side effect of being lucky enough to be breathing.
I won’t go into more detail but get your hands on it!
What else?
Don’t let frigid temps keep you sedentary! This weather is a perfect opportunity to double down on that gym membership. Treadmill, sauna, weights… do it all!
Priority #1: Get Started.
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DISCLAIMER
This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.