How to Calm Your Mind

The body's stress response is designed for occasional use, but it mobilizes in the same way for both acute and chronic stress.

It can cost us and take over our life.

The author realized they had failed to define boundaries around their pursuit of productivity, making them feel anxious, burnt out, and depleted.

<p>The author believed an event like an onstage panic attack would happen if they didn't invest in self-care, but they discovered that despite practicing self-care, they still experienced anxiety and burnout.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To help us move away from the extreme polar ends of the productivity spectrum, leading to less stress and more joy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author practiced daily meditation, attended silent meditation retreats, worked out, got massages, and engaged in other relaxing activities, suggesting they focused on mindfulness and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety and stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The text suggests that just because something stimulates the mind does not mean it makes us happy or is not stressful.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They provide boundaries for the accomplishment mindset, preventing it from taking over our life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author's approach to productivity and self-care, although well-intentioned, contributed to their burnout due to the lack of boundaries and prioritization, suggesting that even with self-care, one must set limits and prioritize their well-being.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author's experience suggests that self-care, although important, is not enough to guarantee overall well-being, and that other factors like boundaries and prioritization are necessary for true well-being.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The common enemy of calm is our desire for dopamine. It can be countered by lowering our 'stimulation height' and investing in calm, which can be achieved through a 'stimulation detox'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The key to becoming more productive is to work deliberately and with intention, which can be achieved by investing in calm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'analog world' is significant in achieving calm because it allows us to unwind and act in accordance with how our ancient brain is wired.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'burnout threshold' refers to the point at which an individual's stress and anxiety levels become overwhelming. It can be used to understand and manage burnout by examining the six 'burnout factors'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Calm and productivity are intertwined, and investing in calm can lead to greater productivity. By working deliberately and with intention, we can achieve both calm and productivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Calm is the polar opposite of anxiety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and anxiety over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To figure out how to take care of themselves properly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Most of us aren't the cause of our own burnout.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The goal was to experience calm and make it last, by focusing on the question 'What did I have to do for me to experience calm and make it last?'</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author's passion for productivity creates a need for self-care as a counterbalance to prevent burnout.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A low-level anxiety that escalated into a full-fledged anxiety attack prompted the author to seek deeper self-care.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author mentally fast-forwards and imagines their desired outcomes, setting three work-related and three personal intentions for the upcoming year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author initially thought that investing in self-care activities, such as meditation retreats and massages, would be sufficient, but realized that a deeper approach was necessary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author's experience highlights the importance of mindfulness in recognizing the early signs of anxiety and burnout, and taking proactive steps to address them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The illusion of productivity; actual outcome is increased chronic stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chronic stress, often stemming from the achievement-driven mindset.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By eliminating sources of chronic stress in life, many of which stem from the achievement-driven mindset.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acute stress; temporary and often one-off.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The achievement-driven mindset; increased chronic stress and decreased calm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The achievement mindset often leads to chronic stress, which can prevent achieving lasting mental calm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A mirage of productivity, leading to increased chronic stress and decreased calm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Eliminating sources of chronic stress; involves recognizing and letting go of the achievement-driven mindset.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acute stress is temporary, while chronic stress is ongoing; chronic stress prevents achieving lasting mental calm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Achieving lasting mental calm and reducing chronic stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'mindset of more' and our tendency to fall victim to superstimuli. These factors drive us to structure our lives around the neurochemical dopamine and lead to chronic stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Calm is the path to greater productivity, and finding calm in our lives is essential in overcoming anxiety and burnout.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By understanding how stress works, recognizing our anxiety 'escape hatches', and investing in calm through specific strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Recognizing our tendency to fall victim to superstimuli helps us to avoid excessive dopamine-driven behaviors that contribute to anxiety and burnout.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Investing in self-care and prioritizing calm is essential in managing anxiety and achieving overall well-being, rather than relying on dopamine-driven accomplishments.</p> Signup and view all the answers