5 unpopular opinions that will improve your life

Recently, a venture capitalist tweeted an “unpopular opinion” that young people should work weekends if they want to be successful. Twitter had a twit fit, and a thousand memes were launched.

This is my favorite:

To continue with the theme of unpopular opinions, here are five unpopular opinions guaranteed to improve your wellbeing.

1. Rest is best. A recent study found that people who are learning a new skill do rapid repetitions in their minds when they take a break. “It seems that most, if not all, of early learning occurs during rest periods,” reported the study’s senior author. This research adds to considerable evidence that says you need to give yourself regular breaks to learn new skills, connect creative dots, and press the reset button when you've hit a mental wall. One of the best breaks from mental work is physical activity, especially in nature. Which brings us to...

2. Exercise is a form of rest. Anyone who has made exercise into a habit knows that this unpopular (and paradoxical) opinion is true. You may feel exhausted after a day spent sitting in front of a screen, but if you move your body, chances are you’ll feel miraculously rejuvenated. According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest, running, with its relaxing repetitive rhythm, is a great form of mental rest.

3. Slow and consistent beats fast and spurious. We've become so accustomed to convenience that it's easy to become enthralled with the idea that we’re only a few near-infrared bulbs away from a new and improved life. We all want to believe in quick fixes for long-standing issues, but miracles move slowly and deliberately before they appear in your life as breakthroughs. Fall in love with consistency and design an enjoyable daily wellness routine based on the proven pillars of sleep, daily physical activity, reflection, and connection, and the results will take care of themselves.

4. Sleep is the best revenge. Revenge bedtime procrastination—when you stay up late to carve out some time for yourself—has become a trendy way to take control of your day. But sacrificing sleep tonight will make you moodier, hungrier, and less in control of your day tomorrow. When it comes to wellbeing, getting adequate sleep should be your top priority.

5. A pandemic is not a sabbatical. With the best of intentions, citing Shakespeare and Sir Isaac Newton, I was one of those annoying people who encouraged you to consider the pandemic to be an opportunity for growth. I apologize. Sir Isaac was childless, possibly a virgin, and didn’t have Netflix. Simply making it through the past 15 months is a huge accomplishment. If a prospective employer asks what personal development goals you set and achieved during a global pandemic, think deeply about the unpopular opinion implied in this question and ask yourself if you want to work for someone who may consider stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome and prediabetes to be badges of work-obsessed honor. Treat yourself like you would a loving friend and get the badge of self-compassion that will not only help you become more successful, but will make your success happy, healthy, and sustainable.

Restful reading material: 

• Lockdown was not a sabbatical Vox
• Plan Ahead. Don’t Post. And seven other rules for a happy vacation The Atlantic
• What I’ve Learned From 2 Years of Running (Tips for those of us who are not natural-born runners) Medium - Sarah Begley
• Happiness from All Things New The Art of Happiness
• Towards a Unified Theory of Peloton Anne Helen Petersen

Wishing you a restful and successful week,

Lynne