Basic Pursuits

I believe that staying out of the dumps is a moral imperative. How can you excel and be your best when you are in despair? How can you focus? Care about others? Love to the fullest?

Here are two ways to beat the blues.

Second Sleep

Beating the blues involves not just getting enough sleep, but getting the right sleep.

Evidence continues to mount that exercise has enormous benefits on the brain. A while back we posted on research that showed that brain workouts like crossword puzzles, while effective, aren't nearly as effective as regular exercise for brain health. You're much better off taking a walk than sitting around doing a crossword puzzle.

Now, Britain's The Independent has just published an article that gives a general survey of the latest thinking on exercise and mental health.

First, let me tell you what I think about exercise. I love it and work hard to keep it enjoyable. I think that it makes me feel better. I think that it makes others feel better. I've asked. Once I polled nearly 50 exercisers and asked them why they exercised. Well over nine out of 10 said that it made them feel better.

Writer Leo Babauta at Zen Habits captured my heart with a number of his 17 Fitness Truths To Get You in Great Shape.

The entire article is a good read and I recommend it. From my experience and observing that of others, I found the following particularly resonated with me.