MUST-READS FROM THE WELLNESS WORLD (Week of August 25, 2021)

Interoception: the hidden sense that shapes wellbeing–The Guardian, August 15, 2021
Interoception—or the attention paid to the signals sent from our internal organs to the brain—is one of our most important senses. It lies behind our sense of intuition—when something feels “right” or “wrong” without an explanation—but there’s growing scientific evidence that it plays a major role in regulating emotions and fending off anxiety and depression, making it one of the fastest moving areas in neuroscience and psychology. Most intriguingly, the new science of interoception can help us understand why certain sorts of physical exercise can be so good for our mental health. In a nutshell: By paying more attention to the signals interoception sends us, we can become healthier in our body and mind.

Much anew about ‘nudging’ (in architecture)–McKinsey, August 6, 2021
An interview with Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler, two renowned behavioral economists that remind us of what “nudge” and “choice” architecture are: interventions that steer people in a direction that is good for them. They also discuss how technology and other changes in business and society have altered the practice of nudging and the amount of “sludge” in decision-making. Interesting throughout.

Oliver Burkeman’s book on this subject is coming out at the end of this month. In essence, the book argues that nobody can consistently do the kind of work that demands serious mental focus for more than three or four hours a day. The real lesson: It pays to use whatever control we have over our calendars not to “maximize our time” or “optimize our day” in some vague way but specifically to protect three or four hours of undisturbed focus—ideally when our energy levels are highest.

A Striking Stat