TRYBE Tales - Weekly Wellness Edition

Wellness Wisdom Drops

FROM TRYBE

“Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life” - Thich Nhat Hanh

There’s a reason it’s called human being.

🧠 The Hard Stuff

In a world where tech distractions relentlessly vie for our attention (*she writes as she has Netflix on in the background and Spotify blasting K-Ci & JoJo*), mastering the art of presence has become an increasingly elusive skill. The pervasive use of smartphones and the constant lure of notifications can disrupt even our most intimate moments.

To be fair, it’s kinda part of our evolution. Our brains bear the imprint of a time when hyper-vigilance was vital for survival - pay attention or be eaten. This means our minds are naturally inclined to wander, reflecting on the past or projecting into an uncertain future.

The ramifications of this wobbly mental restlessness are more profound than one may think. When we dwell on what was or anticipate what could be, this mental time travel often triggers the release of stress hormones, like cortisol, sending our minds into a state of agitation. This prolonged state of unease can lead to increased blood pressure, impaired immune function, and heightened susceptibility to mood disorders like anxiety and depression, which are all on the rise in our society.

🍦 The Soft Stuff

Putting the science aside for a hot sec, not being present is also incredibly frustrating - for our own health and for others around you. I’m sure we can all remember the times we felt slighted and kinda invisible because dinner dates found their twitter notifications of Elon’s most recent weird tweet more important than the real time convo before them (tbf, he does have some 🔥 content 😅).

That may be the most obvious ick of not being quite present, but also it hurts us even when we’re alone. Our thoughts become a relentless whirlwind of what-ifs, regrets, and anxieties, creating a constant state of stress that erodes our inner peace and can leave us unable to appreciate being alone - like truly alone. And not the kind that leaves us eating ice cream out of a tub of Ben n Jerrys (which we are so here for), but the kind that leaves us in a state of anxiety and inability to rest and just exist. And what kind of human being are we if we can’t actually do the ‘being’ part?! We’re only fulfilling half of our mission on Earth 🖖🏽

 1. Digital Detox 🧠

Some ways to stop the distraction while you’re with others or alone:

• Go on airplane mode: Go fully dark when you need the focus time, are taking a walk or on a date with a loved one, friends or colleagues.

• Turn off push notifications: Force yourself to open up your apps to see what’s popping instead of getting that nagging pop up on your phone.

• Time block your day: Set times in your day for checking emails, social media scrolling (if you MUST) and group polls (we’re all obsessed, it’s ok to admit it)

• Turn off ringer and vibration: Turn everything off from buzzing you - most phone calls and text aren’t urgent (but don’t let them linger too long, that’s just rude lol)

 2. Bathing - Forest and Tub 🧠🍦

Who doesn’t love a bath? Who doesn’t love a bath in NATURE (whoa). Both are great ways to ground in the present.

1. Take a water bath 🛁: Water is just a rad freaking thing ya’ll. It’s used as part of many therapy modalities and when you soak in a bath it’s really hard to get distracted (and a safety issue if you use your electronics) - win win!

2. Take a forest bath 🌳: Spending time in nature can be a powerful way to reconnect with the present. Go for a walk in a park, forest, or by the water. Engage your senses—listen to birds, feel the breeze, and notice the colors around you - a great way to feel alive in the simple pleasures of life

3. Get Reading 🧠🍦

This feels like a cop out but it really isn’t - every topic has some great literature to read up on to help learn more about present moment thinking. Here’s some to get you started:

• Eckhart Tolle’s, The Power of Now

• Richard Branson’s Happiness Letter to Strangers

• Andy Puddicombe, TED Talk on 10 minutes to Mindfulness 

What's something I can do this week to disconnect from distractions for just 10 minutes - no screens, no content, no convos.