Embracing the Power of Change for Mental Refreshment

Change can be powerful. Finding ourselves stuck in a rut, unable to see any alternative to our current situation, can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. Could bringing joy and mental refreshment back into our lives be as simple as shaking up our daily routine and embracing the power of change?

Recognizing the Power of Change

According to the proverb,

"A change is as good as a rest."

I often heard this when I was involved in strength training and coaching. Trainees can keep workout routines fresh and stimulating by swapping one exercise for another with similar effects without giving up altogether. Even within a workout, you can train a separate body part while waiting for the previously exercised muscles to recover rather than just sitting around resting. That is the power of change.

I've found this maxim is also valuable outside physical training when applied to everyday life, and it doesn't require a monumental shift to put a refreshing perspective on the day. It can be as simple as switching up your present routine, and that's what I did a couple of months ago. Like swapping exercises during a workout, rearranging my everyday activities put a new spin on my day and improved my mental wellbeing.

Learn more about embracing the power of change in this video:

The Power of Change for Mental Refreshment

I have recently looked into the power of change for mental refreshment.

I began altering my morning routine and taking an early morning walk. Although early morning is still humid and sticky in summer, it's the only chance to be outside before the daytime heat becomes unbearable. Also, I read that getting exposure to sunlight in the morning can help with sleep at night, and that was something I wanted to try.¹ What I discovered was a hidden pocket of tranquility right outside my doorstep.

Setting off at around five o'clock, I walk to a small wooded park on the other side of the pond near my house. If it isn't too cloudy, the sunrise over the mountains on the horizon creates a blaze of yellow, orange, pink, and lilac hues in the sky above, which reflect across the pond. White egrets and gray herons fly overhead, and occasionally, there's a rainbow after the early morning rain. There's a surreal feeling of being caught in a prehistoric fantasy world.

One Powerful Change Leads to Another

Going out early to catch the sunrise and get some exercise means I have to go to bed earlier than before. As a result, I've changed the time I do meditation. I used to meditate for an hour before going to bed every night, but I now do it in the morning when I get home from my walk. Meditating in the morning feels quite different, and my mind seems more relaxed. It also means I can go straight to bed at night when I get home after a long day at work.

After meditating, I have breakfast. In the past, I would wake up, have a coffee, and then get something light to eat. I now have this meal around two hours after waking. As I had also read that waiting to consume caffeine until 90 minutes after waking has significant benefits for your energy levels and overall wellbeing, I was pleased to find this fits very well with my new schedule.²

All of this helped me to discover the power of change.

The Power of Change Can Be Simple

Embracing changes doesn't always have to be about grand upheavals. It can be as simple as rearranging our present daily habits. Making powerful changes can allow us to escape the cycle of mundane routines and invigorate our minds. Approaching our usual tasks in a new and exciting way and understanding that a change is as good as a rest can help revitalize life, bringing back joy and mental refreshment one step at a time.

Sources

1. Peters, B., MD. (2023, April 24). How Getting Sunlight in the Morning Can Help You Sleep Better. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/morning-sunlight-exposure-3973908
2. Endeavor Athletic. (2023, March 16). Timing Your Morning Coffee: The 90-Minute Rule According to Dr. Andrew Huberman. https://endeavorathletic.com/blogs/news/timing-your-morning-coffee-the-90-minute-rule-according-to-dr-andrew-huberman