Leg Shaker to Action Taker

Hey Overthinker,

We're addicted to the instant gratification – you know, like a craving for a hit of cocaine. The mere thought of diving into something that demands patience and persistence sends shivers down our spines!

Have you ever contemplated doing something you'd rather not, engaging in a mental tug-of-war, and desperately trying to negotiate your way out of it. All of this just cuz you don’t see any instant results?

Don’t you think this approach is a little redundant?

Let’s get acquainted with the mid cingulate cortex (MCC), a real MVP in the complex dance of neural functions. Nestled within the cingulate gyrus, this brain region is a heavyweight when it comes to dealing with our thoughts and feelings.

Whenever you do something you don’t want to do, you help your MCC get bigger and better!

Let's simplify the MCC talk:

Brain's Control Centre: The MCC is like the brain's CEO, managing decision-making, attention, and conflict resolution. It's the big shot making sure all mental processes play nice together.

Emotional Harmony: Ever notice how some folks handle emotions like champs? That's the MCC stepping up, guiding how we deal with and process feelings, keeping our emotional ship steady even in stormy weather.

Pain Perception Guru: Wonder why some people can endure more pain? Thank the MCC, the maestro behind our pain perception, shaping how we feel and cope with different levels of discomfort.

Mistake Mentor: The MCC is our personal coach for learning from slip-ups. It's our internal GPS, helping us course-correct and improve based on past blunders.

Why bother nurturing your MCC? Basically growing it is a holistic upgrade for your brain, enhancing its performance across the spectrum of decision-making, stress management, emotional understanding, and learning efficiency:

Smart Decision-Making: A well-fed MCC boosts your decision-making game, vital for navigating life's twists and turns.

Chill Mode Activated: A strong MCC keeps stress in check, making it easier for you to keep your cool when things get crazy.

Emotional Jedi: Growing your MCC cultivates emotional intelligence, giving you the Jedi skills to navigate the emotional galaxy.

Learn Like a Pro: A thriving MCC makes learning and adapting a breeze, making your quest for knowledge a smoother journey.

Get Your Shit Together:

As an overthinker, you need to take care of three things, mental, emotional & physical health. This week we talk about physical health and how to manage certain aspects of it.

James Clear, a luminary in habits and continuous improvement, skyrocketed to prominence with his bestselling book, "Atomic Habits.". His Four Laws of Behaviour Change—Cue, Craveable, Easy, Satisfying—provide a roadmap for transforming habits.

To incorporate an exercise routine that helps you take a step in the direction of getting better follow the following:

Step 1: Cue It Up:

Make your walk a natural cue. Link it to a daily routine like brushing your teeth or morning coffee. This becomes your trigger: "Walk follows this activity."

Step 2: Upgrade to a Brisk Pace as Craveable:

Transition to a brisk walk as it becomes craveable. A pace that elevates your heart rate, signalling a shift towards a more invigorating experience.

Step 3: Habit Stack for Easy Integration:

Habit stack by pairing it with an existing routine. Perhaps post-work or pre-dinner walks. Stack it onto established patterns for seamless integration.

Step 4: Celebrate Small Wins for Satisfaction:

Celebrate lacing up those shoes as small wins. Offer yourself a mental high-five, recognizing these victories as the satisfying building blocks of a growing habit.

Step 5: Consistency Over Perfection:

Prioritize consistency over perfection. Life happens, missing a day is okay. The focus is on getting back on track the next day, understanding habits are about the long game.

Step 6: Embrace the Identity Shift:

See yourself as someone who exercises, making it part of who you are. This shift eliminates the need for willpower; it's now ingrained in your identity.

Weekly Recommended Watch:

Dr. Andrew Huberman in his conversation with David Goggins talks about how to build a willpower to do things you do not want to do. Expanding on MCC and what David Goggins thinks about it.

Watch it here:

Runners Club:

Let's switch things up: instead of fleeing from our overthinking, why not pull an UNO reverse and run towards taming those overthoughts!

Join us on Strava to see if you can make it to the top of the leader board:

Every Wednesday, dedicate 5 minutes to better your mental physical and emotional health, through everything!

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Disclaimer: Our content is not medical advice. Consult professionals for personalized guidance. We are not mental health professionals.

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